automated cutting machine operator
Automated cutting machine operators send files from the computer to the cutting machine, place the material to be cut and digitize and select the fault in the materials surface in order to perform the nesting of the parts, unless the machine makes it automatically. They give the order to the machine to cut, collect the cut pieces and do the final quality control analysis against specifications and quality requirements. They also monitor the status of the cutting machine working devices.
automated cutting machine operator automated cutting machine operators send files from the computer to the cutting machine, place the material to be cut and digitize and select the fault in the materials surface in order to perform the nesting of the parts, unless the machine makes it automatic. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include leather goods manufacturing processes, leather goods components, automatic cutting systems for footwear and leather goods, footwear equipments, leather goods quality.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £25,357 a year for Footwear and leather working trades (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 5412). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only automated cutting machine operator, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Design
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
What you'd actually do
- Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.
- Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric following patterns, using electric or manual knives, cutters, or computer numerically controlled cutting devices.
- Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
- Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.
- Record information about work completed and machine settings.
- Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does automated cutting machine operator do?
Automated cutting machine operators send files from the computer to the cutting machine, place the material to be cut and digitize and select the fault in the materials surface in order to perform the nesting of the parts, unless the machine makes it automatically. They give the order to the machine to cut, collect the cut pieces and do the final quality control analysis against specifications and quality requirements. They also monitor the status of the cutting machine working devices.
What skills does automated cutting machine operator need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include leather goods manufacturing processes, leather goods components, automatic cutting systems for footwear and leather goods, footwear equipments, leather goods quality, footwear materials. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace automated cutting machine operator?
Our AI-durability model gives automated cutting machine operator a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.