A gear machinist is a skilled operator who cuts gears from castings or gear blanks. As a gear machinist, you must know how to read work orders, blueprints, engineering plans, and drawings to determine machining parameters. Once you have confirmed the specifications, you program the mill and lathe by installing and adjusting jaw chucks, tolls, attachments, and stock pushers. A gear machinist’s duties include operating computer numerical control (CNC) gear machining equipment, including a direct numerical control (DNC) hobber, Reishauer gear grinder, and gear shaper. You may also be responsible for ordering and replenishing inventory of materials.