72405 – Machine fitters

Lead statement

Machine fitters fit, assemble and otherwise build heavy industrial machinery and transportation equipment, including aircraft engines.

Main duties

• Read and interpret blueprints, sketches and diagrams to determine assembly operations
• Fit and assemble prefabricated metal parts to build heavy industrial machinery and equipment such as construction, farming, and processing machinery, railway vehicles and aircraft engines
• Move and align subassemblies and components using lifting and transporting devices such as overhead cranes
• Install major components such as gears, pumps, motors or hydraulic assemblies
• Inspect parts, subassemblies and finished products to ensure quality.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of a mechanical apprenticeship program, such as millwrighting, machining, pipefitting, automotive service or heavy equipment repair orcompletion of a four-year machine fitter apprenticeship program orcompletion of five years of on-the-job training is usually required.
• Completion of a two- to three-year college program in aircraft manufacturing or general fabrication is required for aircraft engine fitters.
• Certification in a related trade may be required.

Example job titles

pulp and paper machinery builder · chemical-processing machine builder · heavy machinery fitter · heavy equipment fitter · locomotive builder · machine fitter · machine builder · aircraft engine fitter · assembly fitter · aircraft engine assembly fitter · mechanical fitter · machine builder-fitter · textile machinery fitter · turbine fitter · locomotive fitter · food-processing machine fitter · mining machinery fitter · ship machinery fitter · logging machinery fitter · production equipment fitter · farm machinery builder · agricultural machinery builder · compressor fitter · machine fitter charge hand · assembly mechanic-fitter lead hand · railway coach fitter · grader fitter · crane fitter · machinery manufacturing fitter · manufacturing machinery fitter · farm machinery fitter · agricultural machinery fitter · machine tool builder · machine tool builder-integrator · machine tool integrator · ship engine fitter

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.