What does a calibration and instrumentation technician do?
Calibration and instrumentation technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real calibration and instrumentation technician resumes:
- Lead the planning and coordination of QC instrumentation and software qualification to be compliant with best practices.
- Perform maintenance on a DCS system to include transmitters, pressure switches and loop controls.
- Calibrate and troubleshoot instruments and transmitters.
- Assist more senior technicians with scheduling and review of equipment status for GMP compliance.
- Install, calibrate and troubleshoot manufacturing process control instruments during new construction project.
- Sterilize instruments using specialize equipment including steam autoclaves, sonic washers, aerators, pasteurizers, gas sterilizers and acid sterilizers.
- Sterilize instruments using specialize equipment including steam autoclaves, sonic washers, aerators, pasteurizers, gas sterilizers and acid sterilizers.
Calibration and instrumentation technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Calibration And Instrumentation Technicians are proficient in Troubleshoot, CMMS, and NIST. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Mechanical skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Calibration And Instrumentation Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Troubleshoot, 10%
Utilize SMART instrumentation (Hart Communicator and Fluke 477) to troubleshoot and calibrate critical equipment.
- CMMS, 9%
Performed technical review and administered quality checks for all maintenance and calibration work in both SAP PM CMMS and CalMan CCMS.
- NIST, 9%
Performed data analysis and trending analysis requiring developing uncertainty analysis and process measurement reliability utilizing NIST and ISO guidance.
- FDA, 7%
Adhere to FDA requirements for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Process.
- Transducers, 7%
Calibrate industrial transducers for plant quality performance objectives; maintain transducers for on-demand usage, and record deviations when discovered.
- Transmitters, 6%
Performed maintenance on a DCS system to include transmitters, pressure switches and loop controls.
Most calibration and instrumentation technicians use their skills in "troubleshoot," "cmms," and "nist" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential calibration and instrumentation technician responsibilities here:
Math skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a calibration and instrumentation technician to have is math skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks." Calibration and instrumentation technicians often use math skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "use math on a daily basis to figure percentage numbers. "
Mechanical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling calibration and instrumentation technician duties is mechanical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "electronic engineering technologists and technicians must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand." According to a calibration and instrumentation technician resume, here's how calibration and instrumentation technicians can utilize mechanical skills in their job responsibilities: "set up test equipment and conducted tests on performance and reliability of mechanical, structural, and electromechanical equipment. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of calibration and instrumentation technicians is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday calibration and instrumentation technician duties, as "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "learned calibrations of all electronic equipment, writing of procedures, operated electronic equipment to complete calibration of microwave incoming. "
Most common calibration and instrumentation technician skills
The three companies that hire the most calibration and instrumentation technicians are:
- ICU Medical4 calibration and instrumentation technicians jobs
- Mentor4 calibration and instrumentation technicians jobs
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings3 calibration and instrumentation technicians jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable calibration and instrumentation technician resume templates
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Calibration and instrumentation technician vs. Technical testing engineer
A technical testing engineer is responsible for inspecting and reporting the quality of products across the production cycle. You will thoroughly check procedures, materials, and electrical and mechanical systems to produce high-quality products for customers. Your main job is to test various components and features of the product to identify and resolve technical issues. Other duties include organizing and conducting training for junior team members, creating test environments, and identifying the root cause of technical issues.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a calibration and instrumentation technician are more likely to require skills like "troubleshoot," "cmms," "nist," and "analytical equipment." On the other hand, a job as a technical testing engineer requires skills like "test results," "schematics," "test procedures," and "test data." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Technical testing engineers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $93,229. Comparatively, calibration and instrumentation technicians tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $64,113.The education levels that technical testing engineers earn slightly differ from calibration and instrumentation technicians. In particular, technical testing engineers are 3.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a calibration and instrumentation technician. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Calibration and instrumentation technician vs. Engineering associate
An engineering associate is an individual whose job duties include analysis of project plans, development of product designs, and maintenance of equipment. The engineering fields where an engineering associate can find a job include civil, mechanical, and environmental. The requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a bachelor's degree in engineering, familiarity with a specific industry, prior work experience related to the field, and possessing strong technical skills.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real calibration and instrumentation technician resumes. While calibration and instrumentation technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "cmms," "nist," "analytical equipment," and "transducers," engineering associates use skills like "python," "java," "cad," and "c++."
On average, engineering associates earn a higher salary than calibration and instrumentation technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, engineering associates earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $88,950. Whereas calibration and instrumentation technicians have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $64,113.In general, engineering associates achieve higher levels of education than calibration and instrumentation technicians. They're 9.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Calibration and instrumentation technician vs. Cryptological technician
In the information technology industry, a cryptological technician specializes in installing and maintaining systems to ensure quality and efficiency in designs. Among their responsibilities include responding to issues and concerns, conducting inspections, troubleshooting problems, and performing corrective repairs. They may also conduct regular maintenance checks, replace or upgrade systems, and produce progress reports as needed. Furthermore, as a cryptological technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a calibration and instrumentation technician is likely to be skilled in "troubleshoot," "cmms," "nist," and "analytical equipment," while a typical cryptological technician is skilled in "corrective maintenance," "electronic equipment," "ctt," and "technical guidance."
When it comes to education, cryptological technicians tend to earn higher degree levels compared to calibration and instrumentation technicians. In fact, they're 5.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Calibration and instrumentation technician vs. Digital technician
Digital Technicians are responsible for producing design presentations and digital models through sketches, electronic visualizations, and software. Their duties include producing engineering sketches and drawings, developing building information models (BIM), conducting virtual design assessments, preparing engineering calculations and measurements, and attending design meetings. They are responsible for visiting sites, making design presentations, and participating in training workshops. Digital technicians assist in performing administrative duties for a project.
Types of calibration and instrumentation technician
Updated January 8, 2025











