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Machinist

Skilled Trades

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

Mechanical Engineering

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
  2. 2Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
  3. 3Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
  4. 4Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
  5. 5Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
  6. 6Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
  7. 7Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
  8. 8Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
  9. 9Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties, and mathematics.
  10. 10Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
  11. 11Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
  12. 12Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
  13. 13Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
  14. 14Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
  15. 15Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
  16. 16Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
  17. 17Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
  18. 18Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
  19. 19Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
  20. 20Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
  21. 21Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
  22. 22Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
  23. 23Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions, for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
  24. 24Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
  25. 25Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
  26. 26Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
  27. 27Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
  28. 28Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
  29. 29Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Jobber
  • Machinist
  • Mechanist
  • Machinists
  • CNC Machinist
  • Fixture Maker
  • Lab Machinist
  • Auto Machinist
  • Gear Machinist
  • Machine Fitter

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationHigh school diploma

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Mechanical Engineering StudiesDraws directly on Mechanical — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Mechanical — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Design & Technology (RBT)Draws directly on Mechanical — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Mathematics69%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • Mechanical66%

    Mechanical Engineering StudiesPhysicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • Production and Processing65%

    Design & Technology (RBT)Mechanical Engineering Studies

  • Design60%

    Visual Art (PSV)Technical Comm. GraphicsEngineering Drawing

  • English Language54%

    English

  • Engineering and Technology54%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleContact most of the time
  • Dealing with customers or the publicNot at all
  • Leading or coordinating othersVery high
  • Handling conflict situationsAlmost never
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentEvery day

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

0%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Welder

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Machinists

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue