1

Instrument Engineer Jobs in Maryland (NOW HIRING)

FLIGHT SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER

Greenbelt, MD ยท On-site

$90 - $110/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The NASA Software Engineering Services III (SES-III) contract provides engineering expertise ... The ALICE instrument provides advanced infrared limb observations of atmospheric temperature, ozone ...

Instrument Person

MD ยท On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Founded in 1975, Wallace Montgomery is a recognized leader in planning, engineering, and ... Wallace Montgomery (WM) is actively seeking a highly motivated and experienced Instrument Operator.

Instrument Person

Hunt Valley, MD ยท On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Founded in 1975, Wallace Montgomery is a recognized leader in planning, engineering, and ... Wallace Montgomery (WM) is actively seeking a highly motivated and experienced Instrument Operator.

May perform equipment modifications as directed by test/manufacturing engineers. Identifies, troubleshoots, and resolves complex issues associated with instrument testing operations. Subject matter ...

Founded in 1975, Wallace Montgomery is a recognized leader in planning, engineering, and ... Wallace Montgomery (WM) is actively seeking a highly motivated and experienced Instrument Operator.

Founded in 1975, Wallace Montgomery is a recognized leader in planning, engineering, and ... Wallace Montgomery (WM) is actively seeking a highly motivated and experienced Instrument Operator.

Instrument Assembler III

Hunt Valley, MD ยท On-site

$18 - $23/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Interface with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Purchasing as needed. * Perform standard material handling functions for instrument raw materials and sub-assemblies. * Maintain a ...

New

Instrument Assembler

Sparks, MD ยท On-site

$19 - $23/hr

... any instrument in the production area. * Responsible for assembling multiple product lines ... Work or interface with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning and Purchasing as needed.

Instrument Technician

Linthicum, MD ยท On-site

$20 - $28/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

About TAI: TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services ... Consistently operate instrument standards, computers, calculator, copy machine, printer and other ...

Instrument Assembler

Sparks, MD ยท On-site

$16 - $21/hr

... any instrument in the production area. * Responsible for assembling multiple product lines ... Work or interface with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning and Purchasing as needed.

Instrument Technician

Linthicum, MD

$20 - $28/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

About TAI: TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services ... Consistently operate instrument standards, computers, calculator, copy machine, printer and other ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Instrument Engineer information

See Maryland salary details

$12.1K

$101.8K

$159.2K

How much do instrument engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for instrument engineer in Maryland is $101,806.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,200.00 and $127,600.00 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 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 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.

Are instrument engineers in demand?

Instrument engineers are in demand in industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and power generation, where they design, install, and maintain control systems and instrumentation. The profession requires technical skills, certifications, and knowledge of automation tools, and job opportunities are expected to grow with ongoing infrastructure and technological development.

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.

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Instrument Engineer job openings in Maryland as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,806 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Sr. Detector/Instrument Engineer

Columbus Technologies and Services Inc

Greenbelt, MD โ€ข On-site

$120K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

OVERVIEW

Must be a US Person or Permanent Resident
W2 with full benefits

Customer and contract specific training will be required and provided.

Location - Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Greenbelt, MD (onsite)

Offer contingent on ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screen

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position


JOB DESCRIPTION

  • The Columbus Technologies & Services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center seeks a talented microfabrication engineer to advance our cutting-edge technology for internal projects. This exciting opportunity allows you to contribute directly to next-generation space exploration capabilities.
  • Senior Detector/Instrument Engineer Oversees and directs activities associated with detector/instrument engineering.
  • Develop and optimize microfabrication processes for MEMS devices
  • Troubleshoot process issues and implement solutions
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams in design, test, and integration
  • Document procedures and results according to industry standards
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives for fabrication processes

REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or related field; MS or PhD preferred
  • Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in semiconductor or MEMS fabrication environments
  • Demonstrated expertise in photolithography processes including photoresist application, exposure systems, such as stepper tools or E-beam lithography, and pattern development
  • Comprehensive knowledge of thin film deposition methods including:
  • Physical vapor deposition (thermal/e-beam evaporation and sputtering)
  • Chemical vapor deposition (PECVD)
  • Thermal oxidation processes
  • Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)
  • Proficiency in etching techniques including:
  • Wet chemical etching of metals and dielectric films
  • Plasma-based dry etching (RIE)
  • Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE)
  • Specialty vapor phase etching (vapor HF and XeF2)
  • Experience operating metrology and characterization equipment:
  • Optical and electron microscopy
  • Ellipsometry for film thickness measurement
  • Stress measurement techniques for thin films
  • Electrical probing and device characterization

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Cleanroom experience in class 10-1000 environments
  • Familiarity with process integration and optimization
  • Experience with Design of Experiments methodology
  • Knowledge of MEMS design principles and fabrication challenges
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a federal contractor, Columbus participates in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.