1

Instrument Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As a Optical Instrument Engineer in the Electro-Mechanical Instruments Group, you will play an important role in the development of Electro-Mechanical inertial instruments for cutting-edge guidance ...

Optical Instrument Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$62K - $250K/yr

As a Optical Instrument Engineer in the Electro-Mechanical Instruments Group, you will play an important role in the development of Electro-Mechanical inertial instruments for cutting-edge guidance ...

Showing results 21-40

Instrument Engineer information

See salary details

$12.5K

$104.9K

$164K

How much do instrument engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for instrument engineer in the United States is $104,896.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $131,500.00 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 cities are hiring for Instrument Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Instrument Engineer job openings:

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

The most popular types of Instrument Engineer jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Instrument Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Instrument Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Instrument Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Instrument Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Instrument Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,896 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Optical Instrument Engineer

Draper

Cambridge, MA

$62K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary:

As a Optical Instrument Engineer in the Electro-Mechanical Instruments Group, you will play an important role in the development of Electro-Mechanical inertial instruments for cutting-edge guidance applications.
You will work closely with a team of engineers and physicists to build next-generation gyroscope, accelerometer and guidance-aiding sensor prototypes, characterize their performance, develop production roll-out and ultimately deliver production hardened sensors meeting some of the world's most stringent requirements.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
Applies technical knowledge to domains related to their area of expertise, and seeks out new technical skills to support program needs.
Analyzes requirements and develops appropriate precision instruments with minimal guidance.
Designs experiments and experimental hardware to prove which design concepts are viable and optimal.
Collaborates with other engineers to design and develop prototype and production hardware to meet the application needs.
Collaborates with other groups to integrate precision instruments into larger systems, delivering on performance metrics.
Develops initial processes for the fabrication of custom designed instruments.
Drafts and presents formal technical documents, reports, and testing results to manager for approval.
Provides training related to devices to employees, sub-contractors and/or customers.
Performs basic independent research and seeks assistance when needed for solving problems.
Contributes content for technical reports and presentations with appropriate guidance.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Skills/Abilities
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Understanding of the design, development, and application of a wide variety of instruments.
Understanding of the processes used in the fabrication of precision instrument hardware.
Thorough understanding of applied math and physics.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proficient with general modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, computer-aided design (CAD) software, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, and/or other design & analysis tools relevant to your discipline.
Education
Requires a bachelors degree in Mechanical, Applied Physics, Electrical or Computer Engineering required; Masters or PhD degree preferred.
Experience
Requires 3-5 years of experience in Hardware Instrument Engineering or related.

Additional Job Description:

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.

Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$62,500.00 - $250,000.00

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.