machinist

noun

1. a person who operates machinery, especially a skilled operator of machine tools.
2. a person who makes or repairs machines.
3. U.S. Navy. a warrant officer whose duty is to assist the engineering officer in the engine room.

noun

1. a person who operates machines to cut or process materials
2. a maker or repairer of machines

n.1706, “engineer, mechanical inventor,” a hybrid from machine (n.) + -ist. Meaning “machine operator” is attested from 1879.