Occupation · SOC 49-9069
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other
All precision instrument and equipment repairers not listed separately.
Median wage
$67,080
$44,530–$100,730
Projected growth
+1.9%
Slower than average
Annual openings
20
per year
Employed (US)
9,680
Job Zone —
Core skills
RepairingTroubleshootingCritical ThinkingEquipment MaintenanceOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisActive ListeningComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
MechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and Technology
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.Replace defective parts of machine, or adjust clearances and alignment of moving parts.Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.Troubleshoot or repair mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical malfunctions related to variable pitch systems, variable speed control systems, converter systems, or related components.Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.Check and maintain diving equipment, such as helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, or gauges.Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.Insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.Play instruments to evaluate their sound quality and to locate any defects.Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.Disassemble instruments and parts for repair and adjustment.Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.Repair or replace musical instrument parts and components, such as strings, bridges, felts, and keys, using hand and power tools.Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate, and align unit to centerline.Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and basic gauges — use under direct supervision to inspect completed instrument repairs against specified tolerances on a workshop bench.Inspection checklists and measurement records — complete accurately under guidance to document conformance of repaired precision equipment.Job orders and written specifications — read and interpret with supervisor assistance to identify required repair steps for assigned instruments.Safety protocols and PPE requirements — follow consistently in a precision repair shop environment to prevent injury during equipment handling.Basic mechanical components of precision instruments — identify and label correctly while shadowing experienced technicians on the shop floor.Hand-operated test instruments — operate under direction to perform routine continuity and calibration checks on low-complexity devices.Repair logs and office suite software — enter work order data accurately under supervision to support shop record-keeping requirements.Common precision instrument terminology — apply correctly when receiving verbal instructions and written job orders from supervisors.Blueprint symbols and basic technical drawings — recognize and reference under guidance to locate reference points before beginning assigned work.Workplace hazards in the instrument repair environment — recognize and report promptly to supervisors to support a safe work area.
developing
Hand tools, gauges, and calibrated test devices — select and apply independently to inspect and verify conformance of completed precision instrument repairs.Troubleshooting procedures for mid-complexity instrument failures — execute routinely with minimal oversight to diagnose mechanical and electronic faults in familiar equipment.Blueprints, specifications, and job orders — interpret without assistance to construct templates and establish reference points for repair and assembly tasks.Preventive maintenance schedules — implement and document consistently using spreadsheet software to sustain equipment reliability in a production repair environment.Operations monitoring techniques — apply during instrument reassembly and test runs to detect abnormal readings before equipment is returned to service.Repair documentation and data entry — maintain in database and office suite software to track work history, parts usage, and repair outcomes across multiple work orders.Quality control analysis methods — perform on completed repairs to identify recurring defect patterns and recommend corrective action to supervisors.Customer service communication — conduct clearly with internal stakeholders to clarify instrument malfunction reports and confirm repair acceptance criteria.Safety inspections of tools and work areas — carry out on a routine schedule to identify hazards and maintain compliance with shop safety standards.Electronic mail and presentation software — use to communicate repair status updates and findings to supervisors and cross-functional team members.
proficient
Complex precision instrument malfunctions — diagnose and resolve autonomously across mechanical, electronic, and optical subsystems in high-stakes repair environments.Calibration and conformance verification — perform to manufacturer and regulatory standards using advanced gauges and test equipment without supervisory review.Non-routine job orders and ambiguous technical specifications — interpret and translate independently into accurate repair templates and step-by-step work plans.Full-scope quality control analysis — conduct on completed work batches to detect systemic issues, quantify defect rates, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.CAD software — use to create or modify instrument component drawings and repair templates in support of non-standard precision repair projects.Equipment maintenance programs — design and implement for a portfolio of precision instruments to maximize uptime and extend service life in a facility.Safety training sessions — develop content for and deliver to shop technicians covering tool handling, hazard recognition, and emergency response procedures.Advanced troubleshooting across unfamiliar instrument models — apply critical thinking and engineering knowledge to resolve problems with limited reference documentation.Operations monitoring during live calibration runs — oversee instrument performance under varied load conditions to validate repair integrity before final sign-off.Cross-functional problem-solving — lead technical discussions with engineers, customers, and quality teams to resolve escalated precision instrument failures.
advanced
Organizational precision repair standards and quality frameworks — develop and implement across the department to ensure consistent, regulation-compliant instrument performance.Technical competency of repair teams — assess systematically and design structured development plans to build capability from emerging to proficient levels.Strategic preventive maintenance programs — architect at the facility level using data from database and spreadsheet software to minimize equipment downtime and reduce total cost of repair.Safety culture and training curriculum — lead the design and continuous improvement of, ensuring shop-wide compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.Employee work performance — monitor through structured review processes and key performance metrics, providing coaching and accountability at team scale.Complex organizational repair challenges — resolve by applying advanced engineering and technology knowledge to problems that span multiple instrument types and business units.CAD and technical documentation standards — establish for the organization to ensure that blueprints, templates, and repair references are accurate, current, and accessible.Vendor and customer relationships — manage at the executive level to negotiate service agreements, resolve escalated technical disputes, and align repair capabilities to market needs.Capital equipment investment decisions — inform by analyzing repair data trends, workforce capacity, and emerging instrument technologies using quantitative and engineering criteria.Knowledge transfer and succession planning — lead across the precision instrument repair function, ensuring organizational expertise is documented, shared, and sustained over time.
Also known as
48 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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