A machinist is a person who uses machine tools to make or modify parts, primarily metal parts, a process known as machining. This is accomplished by using machine tools to cut away excess material much as a woodcarver cuts away excess wood to produce his work. In addition to metal, the parts may be made of many other kinds of materials, such as plastic or wood products. The goal of these cutting operations is to produce a part that conforms to a set of specifications, or tolerances, usually in the form of engineering drawings commonly known as blueprints.

Zerspanungsmechaniker arbeiten in Bereichen der Industrie und des Handwerks, in denen durch spanende Verfahren Bauteile gefertigt werden. Typische Einsatzgebiete sind Drehmaschinensysteme, Fräsmaschinensysteme, Drehautomatensysteme, Schleifmaschinensysteme der Einzel- und Serienfertigung und Bohrwerke.