How to hire an electrical and instrument mechanic

How to hire an electrical and instrument mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step electrical and instrument mechanic hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an electrical and instrument mechanic job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new electrical and instrument mechanic
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The electrical and instrument mechanic hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An electrical and instrument mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, electrical and instrument mechanics from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of electrical and instrument mechanic salaries for various roles:

   Type of Electrical And Instrument Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Electrical And Instrument Mechanic	Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and other industries.	$26-43
   Mechanic	Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components... Show more	$16-30
   Instrument And Electrical Technician	An Instrument and Electrical Technician is responsible for inspecting all production and manufacturing equipment's performance and stability to ensure efficiency during operations. Instrument and Electrical Technicians run quality control procedures for the processes to produce high-quality deliverables for customer satisfaction... Show more	$25-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • PLC
   • Transmitters
   • Electrical Equipment
   • Control Valves
   • Switches
   • Test Equipment
   • Hand Tools
   • Control Systems
   • Instrumentation Maintenance
   • Variable Frequency
   • Ac
   • Dc
   • Transducers
   • Cranes

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Supervise and manage several environmental ECAS annual, monthly and weekly reports in cooperation with regional CEMS manager for federal compliance.
   • Work with GE PLC systems and various variable speed drives.
   • Overhaul and repair of automatic control valves, solenoids, pneumatic controllers and transmitters.
   • Installing/Provide troubleshooting of AC/DC systems, including pressure transmitters, relay logic, high voltage breakers and substation equipment.
   • Install higher-voltage distribution level circuits to feed several lower-voltage distribution circuits, using step down transformers.
   • Create electrical wiring diagrams for automation systems using AutoCAD.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your electrical and instrument mechanic job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An electrical and instrument mechanic can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, electrical and instrument mechanics' average salary in kentucky is 27% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level electrical and instrument mechanics 39% less than senior-level electrical and instrument mechanics.
   • Certifications. An electrical and instrument mechanic with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an electrical and instrument mechanic's salary.

   Average electrical and instrument mechanic salary

   $70,764yearly

   $34.02 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level electrical and instrument mechanic salary

   $55,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an electrical and instrument mechanic job description

   An electrical and instrument mechanic job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an electrical and instrument mechanic job description:

   Electrical and instrument mechanic job description example

   COVID\-19 continues to significantly impact our employees, families and communities\. With employee health and safety as our top priority, and as a federal contractor, Lockheed Martin is taking action to address the increased risk and uncertainty COVID\-19 variants pose in the workplace and ensuring we meet our commitments to national security\.
   
   To uphold safety for all employees, we will continue to request vaccination status for all Lockheed Martin employees including new hires\. All current and newly hired employees are required to follow onsite safety measures based upon the COVID\-19 Community Level at the specific work location\.
   
   **Description:** PERFORMS SUCH TYPICAL DISTINGUISHING DUTIES AS: Performs the final flight line servicing, checkout, trouble shooting, repairing and maintenance of completed aircraft electrical and instrument systems, related lines and accessories prior to, during and after flight, and sells off entire functional systems, accessories and components for airworthiness and conformance to Company and customer requirements; operates, trouble shoots and makes final adjustments to entire electrical diagnosing and correcting any malfunctioning revealed by such operational checkout while such systems are operating under auxiliary power or power instrument systems, accessories and components to authorized Company and/or customer personnel\. PERFORMS SUCH RELATED DUTIES AS: Accompanies ship on production and/or acceptance flights as assigned, operates electrical and instrument systems, and makes required in\-flight adjustments and corrections\. Installs shortages; incorporates design or modification changes to ship's electrical and instrument systems, lines, and related accessories; makes adjustments, calibrations, alterations, repairs, corrections and replacements as required\. Swings ship on compass rose to determine compass errors, and compensates or adjusts as required\. Trouble shoots malfunctioning instrument systems where it is required to locate, diagnose and correct trouble in related lines and accessories having different actuating principles such as electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, etc\. Prepares and/or maintains aircraft for flight, inactive or storage status in accordance with applicable specifications\. May be required to conduct engine runs to verify proper functioning of electrical and instrument systems\. Collaborates with authorized Company, customer and/or vendor liaison personnel in correcting malfunctioning items and in preparing and completing aircraft for successive production and acceptance flights, up to the point of delivery or redelivery to the customer\.
   AeronauticsProductionOperations
   
   **Basic Qualifications:**
   
   Must have a minimum of four years experience in aircraft electrical and electronic installation and electrical checkout or as a Flight Electrical and Instrument Mechanic\. AND
   
   Be able to demonstrate a knowledge or have completed training in the following job skills: 1\. Blueprint III\. 2\. Electrical and electronic systems troubleshooting and checkout\. 3\. Principles of operation of electrical systems\. 4\. Principles of operation of instrument systems\. 5\. Familiarization in operation of ground support equipment\. 6\. Basic Computer Operations
   
   **BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:**
   
   job\.Qualifications
   
   **Lockheed Martin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer\. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status\.**
   
   Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours\. Our customers tackle the hardest missions\. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision\. They're dangerous\. Critical\. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives\. Those are the missions we care about\.
   
   As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin's vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers' toughest challenges\. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U\.S\., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories\.
   
   **EXPERIENCE LEVEL:**
   
   Hourly/Non\-Exempt

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right electrical and instrument mechanic for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with electrical and instrument mechanics they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit electrical and instrument mechanics who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your electrical and instrument mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit electrical and instrument mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit electrical and instrument mechanics, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new electrical and instrument mechanic

   Once you've selected the best electrical and instrument mechanic candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new electrical and instrument mechanic first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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