Home Metal Machinist Resume template
Metal Machinist resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what metal machinists actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most metal machinists should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Metal machinist with hands-on experience setting up and operating CNC lathes, mills and grinders to produce components within tight tolerances. Confident reading technical drawings, selecting cutting parameters and running quality checks across manufacturing and mining supply work. Comfortable working to AS standards in a fast-paced trade environment.
Key skills
- Reading plans and specifications
- CNC lathe and vertical milling machine setup
- CAM software programming
- Precision measurement with calipers and digital readout systems
- Fabrication and finishing
- Hand and power tool operation
- Worksite safety management
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
Experience: example bullet points
- Set up and operated CNC lathes and vertical mills to machine components to specifications within 0.02mm tolerance
- Interpreted technical drawings and engineering specifications to select tooling, feeds and speeds for each job
- Performed in-process and final quality checks using precision calipers and digital readout systems, reducing rework on repeat jobs
- Programmed and edited CAM software for new part runs, cutting setup time on recurring jobs
- Carried out routine maintenance and fault diagnosis on machine tools to minimise unplanned downtime
- Followed worksite safety procedures for machine guarding, lockout/tagout and PPE across a manufacturing floor
Education
Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Trade), MEM30219, completed through a four-year apprenticeship, typically combining TAFE study with on-the-job training under a qualified tradesperson.
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- CNC machining
- CNC lathe operator
- vertical milling
- CAM software
- GD&T
- blueprint reading
- tolerance checking
- precision measurement
- Certificate III Engineering
- MEM30219
- apprenticeship
- TAFE
- AQF
- AS/NZS standards
- quality control
- lockout tagout
- machine setter/operator
- toolroom
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.