Calibration and Precision Instrument Technicians
19NOT A FORECAST64%
Calibration technicians check and adjust measuring instruments so they give accurate readings. Their work is essential in hospitals, factories and labs where exact measurements matter.
THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.
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As a calibration and precision instrument technician, you make sure that thermometers, scales, pressure gauges and other measuring devices are accurate. Hospitals, factories, airports and labs all depend on these instruments to work properly - a doctor using an inaccurate thermometer, or an engineer building a plane part that is slightly the wrong size, could cause real problems. You use special equipment and follow strict procedures to test and adjust instruments until they meet very tight accuracy standards.
You will work in laboratories and workshops, sometimes travelling to customer sites, testing instruments and fixing ones that are broken. The work is hands-on and detail-focused - you need to be precise, follow procedures carefully, and keep detailed records of everything. You also help design better ways to test and calibrate instruments. You need good practical skills, patience and the ability to think through problems logically.
A UK degree in engineering, physics, or a related field provides candidates with a solid foundation in the principles of measurement and instrumentation, giving them a competitive edge in this highly technical field.