Fits, assembles, grinds and shapes metal parts and sub-assemblies to fabricate production machines and other equipment.

Studies drawings and specifications to determine suitable material, method and sequence of operations and machine settings; fits fabricated metal parts into products and assembles metal parts and sub-assemblies to produce machines and equipment; checks fabricated and assembled metal parts for accuracy, clearance and fit using precision measuring instruments; sets guides, stops and other controls on machining tools, sets up prescribed cutting and shaping tools and dies in machines and presses, and sets controls for textile machines; forms metal stock and castings to fine tolerance using machining tools to press, cut, grind, plane, bore and drill metal; cuts, threads, bends and installs hydraulic and pneumatic pipes and lines; diagnoses faults and performs operational maintenance of machines, and overhauls and repairs mechanical parts and fluid power equipment; may erect machines and equipment on-site.

• Works predominantly indoors but also frequently travel to worksites to install various machinery parts or items of equipment, often to make repairs.
• Indoor work spaces need good ventilation to disperse heat and other by-products of welding and associated metal-working processes. Work sites may be dirty and dusty, especially when constantly working with metal. They will also be noisy.
• Utilise a variety of personal protective equipment including safety glasses, ear muffs, overalls, and steel-capped boots.

• The physical demand for this job is up to medium.
• Standing is constantly required, frequently on concrete floors. Walking is occasionally required. Sitting is not required.
• Squatting, crouching or kneeling, lifting and carrying, and bending can be a frequent requirement.
• Twisting of the body or neck is occasionally required, and repetitive movements are occasionally to frequently required especially the use of hands and arms for machining or for detailed hand-finishing processes.
• Driving is not usually required.
• Employees use a wide range of engineering tools and measuring instruments..
• Mental skills necessary include practical, technical, organisational and problem-solving.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.