ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Instrument Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ineos

Instrument/Electrical Engineer

Carson, CA

Knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLC) and their associated application programming * Instrument and control system reliability background required * Experience with execution of capital ...

INEOS

Instrument/Electrical Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

Knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLC) and their associated application programming * Instrument and control system reliability background required * Experience with execution of capital ...

City of Los Angeles

Instrument Mechanic

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... Engineer with the City of Los Angeles, which provides experience in the operation or maintenance of high temperature boilers or refrigeration equipment with a total capacity of 3,000 tons or more; or ...

Intel

Power Instrumentation Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$122K - $172K/yr

As a System Power and Perf Engineer, you will be responsible for measurements and analysis of OEM in-chassis notebook products at the silicon/SoC level and platform level on both Intel and competitor ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsInstrument Engineer JobsInstrument Engineer Jobs in California

Instrument Engineer information

See California salary details

$12.3K

$103.5K

$161.9K

How much do instrument engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for instrument engineer in California is $103,523.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $129,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an instrument engineer do?

As an instrument engineer, your job is to design and build mechanical and electronic instruments for your employer. Most instruments are purpose-built to accomplish specific objectives, such as measuring the presence of particular chemicals or the pressure within pipes. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of an instrument engineer often requires creativity, flexibility, and the ability to coordinate with other engineers. You may also need to manage supplies, test instruments, or work overtime as needed to develop better instruments. This job title refers exclusively to designing and building instruments that measure or control processes and should not be confused with jobs that design and create musical instruments.

What are some common challenges instrument engineers face when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Instrument Engineers often collaborate with process, electrical, and mechanical engineers, which can present challenges in aligning technical requirements and project timelines. Integrating instrumentation with complex systems requires clear communication to ensure proper data flow and control functionality. Adapting to evolving project specifications and troubleshooting issues during commissioning are also common, making flexibility and problem-solving skills essential. Building strong relationships with colleagues across disciplines helps streamline the process and achieve project goals efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an instrument engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Instrument Engineer, you need a solid background in instrumentation, control systems, and process automation, often supported by a degree in engineering and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with tools like PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, and certifications such as ISA CAP or equivalent are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex systems. These competencies are vital for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of industrial operations.

What is the difference between Instrument Engineer vs Control Systems Engineer?

AspectInstrument EngineerControl Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Instrumentation Engineering; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Control Engineering; similar certifications in control systems
Work EnvironmentOil & gas, manufacturing, chemical plants, focusing on instrumentation and process controlAutomation, manufacturing, power plants, focusing on control system design and integration
Employer & Industry UsageIndustries requiring precise instrumentation for process controlIndustries implementing automation and control system solutions

Both roles involve engineering expertise in process control, but Instrument Engineers focus on selecting, installing, and maintaining instrumentation devices, while Control Systems Engineers design and optimize control algorithms and systems. They often collaborate but serve different technical functions within industrial settings.

Are instrumentation engineers in demand?

Instrumentation engineers are in demand in industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and power generation, where they design, maintain, and troubleshoot control systems and instrumentation. The need for skilled professionals with knowledge of automation, control systems, and relevant certifications continues to grow with technological advancements and infrastructure development.
More about Instrument Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Instrument Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Instrument Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Instrument Engineer jobs in California?

For Instrument Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Instrument Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Instrument Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Instrument Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Instrument Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Instrument Engineer jobs in CA?

For Instrument Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Instrument Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Instrument Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,523 per year, or $49.8 per hour.

Senior Instrument Systems Engineer

Muon Space

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$166K - $223K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

About the role
Muon seeks a Senior Instrument Systems Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA or Remote, with a focus on infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engineer with a versatile skill set who is comfortable working across many layers of technical depth from individual components through system level. This role will be a key member of the instrument engineering team, driving development from concept through on-orbit operations for our national security missions. Previous experience developing and operating infrared electro-optical systems, remote sensing instruments, and test infrastructure in fast-paced and small-team environments is preferred.
Responsibilities
  • Lead instrument architecture trades, define concept of operations, own radiometric model and throughput budget, drive requirements decomposition/flowdown and verification and validation (V&V) planning.
  • Develop and manage technical budgets, including mass, power, thermal, line-of-sight pointing/jitter, and data volume, to ensure adequate margins throughout development.
  • Develop comprehensive interface control documents (ICDs) across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software interfaces, to drive a modular instrument architecture.
  • Support optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, including collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Champion the continuous improvement of systems engineering methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency in instrument development.
  • Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, program managers, external partner teams, and other stakeholders.
  • This position participates in a 24/7 on-call rotation to support on-orbit anomaly resolution. The on-call rotation is approximately one week per month.
Qualifications
  • B.S, M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field, or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment, with exposure to imaging systems, infrared remote sensing instruments, and spacecraft.
  • Software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, Julia).
  • Experience with root cause analysis efforts including data analysis and testing.
  • Experience performing data analysis, post-processing, and test report generation.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
  • Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week.
  • Ability to obtain TS/SCI security clearance required, active clearance strongly preferred.
Nice-to-have Skills
  • Experience integrating and interpreting STOP analysis results to drive instrument design trades and error budget allocations.
  • Experience working hands-on with precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment.
  • Experience supporting environmental testing (thermal stress screening, TVAC, random vibration), integrated spacecraft testing, and launch campaigns.
  • Experience working in cleanroom environments.
Salary
The salary range for this role is $166,000 to $223,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.
About Muon Space
Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.
Taking Care of Our Team
At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.
Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.

Apply