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Instrumentation Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Join the Madison Peptide Therapeutics (MPT) Engineering team as an Instrumentation Software Engineer and help shape the future of cutting-edge peptide array synthesis technology. In this role, you'll ...

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Instrumentation Engineer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$12.6K

$105.8K

$165.4K

How much do instrumentation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for instrumentation engineer in Madison, WI is $105,771.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,100.00 and $132,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, software, and electrical engineering can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles. High-paying engineering positions often require advanced skills, management responsibilities, or work in high-demand industries.

What are Instrumentation Engineers?

Instrumentation Engineers are professionals who design, develop, install, manage, and maintain equipment used to monitor and control engineering systems, machinery, and processes. They work primarily in industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, power generation, and chemical processing. Their main goal is to ensure that these systems operate efficiently, safely, and within regulatory standards by using instruments like sensors, control systems, and automation technologies. Instrumentation Engineers often collaborate with other engineering disciplines to optimize and troubleshoot complex processes.

What are some common challenges Instrumentation Engineers face when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Instrumentation Engineers frequently collaborate with professionals from mechanical, electrical, and process engineering backgrounds, which can present coordination challenges. Aligning instrumentation requirements with broader project timelines and ensuring compatibility with other systems often requires clear communication and adaptability. Additionally, troubleshooting integration issues and maintaining safety and compliance standards are ongoing aspects of the role. Successful Instrumentation Engineers develop strong teamwork and problem-solving skills to navigate these complexities.

What is the difference between Instrumentation Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectInstrumentation EngineerElectrical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Instrumentation, Control Engineering, or related fields; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, process industries, automation systemsPower plants, electrical systems, construction sites
Industry UsageProcess control, automation, manufacturingPower generation, electrical infrastructure, electronics
Job FocusDesign, install, and maintain control systems and instrumentationDesign, develop, and maintain electrical systems and circuits

Instrumentation Engineers primarily focus on control systems and automation within manufacturing and process industries, while Electrical Engineers work on electrical systems across various sectors. Both roles require technical certifications and often overlap in industrial environments, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What does an instrumentation engineer do?

An instrumentation engineer designs, develops, and maintains control systems and instruments used in manufacturing, processing, and industrial environments. They work with sensors, controllers, and automation equipment to ensure accurate measurement and operation of machinery, often using tools like PLCs and SCADA systems. Their role involves troubleshooting, calibration, and ensuring safety standards are met.

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

To thrive as an Instrumentation Engineer, you need a solid understanding of instrumentation and control systems, process automation, and a degree in engineering (typically electrical, electronics, or instrumentation). Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA systems, DCS, and relevant industry certifications such as ISA CAP are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in project teams and troubleshoot complex systems. These competencies are crucial for ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of industrial processes.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain senior roles in software or data science can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or working in high-cost-of-living areas.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior-level engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain software engineering roles can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Executive or managerial engineering positions may also reach this compensation level, often including bonuses and stock options.
What are popular job titles related to Instrumentation Engineer jobs in Madison, WI? For Instrumentation Engineer jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Instrumentation Engineer job openings in Madison, WI as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,712 per year, or $50.8 per hour.
Software Instrumentation Engineer

Software Instrumentation Engineer

AbbVie

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


AbbVie rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 100 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

Join the Madison Peptide Therapeutics (MPT) Engineering team as an Instrumentation Software Engineer and help shape the future of cutting-edge peptide array synthesis technology. In this role, you'll work alongside talented engineers and scientists to maintain, enhance, and innovate across our fleet of advanced synthesizers in a fast-paced biotech research environment. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a software engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges at the intersection of software, hardware, and science. You'll bring your expertise in Windows C# and/or Linux C++ development to design and improve software that interfaces with instrumentation hardware such as sensors, actuators, pumps, motors, cameras, and other electronic devices. Your work will directly support the operation, performance, and data visibility of internally developed laboratory equipment. 

You'll also contribute to workflow software that enables operators to efficiently set up and run instruments, as well as tools that support the quality system. Working in a collaborative Agile team, you'll help deliver high-quality solutions that increase throughput, reduce cost, and improve product quality - making a meaningful impact on both the team and the science. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Design, develop, test, troubleshoot, and maintain Windows and/or Linux software solutions that enhance internally developed peptide array synthesizers. 

  • Apply expertise across software design, programming languages, machine control, data integration, and data analysis/visualization tools. 

  • Perform software testing and validation to ensure quality, reliability, and performance. 

  • Support deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting of software applications in a biotech manufacturing environment. 

  • Follow team development practices, including version control, coding standards, code review, and documentation. 

  • Design and conduct experiments, engineering studies, or models to characterize system behavior and inform design decisions. 

  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners, including scientists, electrical and mechanical engineers, operations managers, and IT staff, to gather requirements and deliver effective solutions. 

  • Communicate effectively with engineering leadership and peers through verbal and written updates. 

  • Adhere to corporate and divisional standards, including code of conduct, safety, GxP compliance, data security, and software development lifecycle requirements. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor's Degree with 5 years of experience, or Master's Degree with two years of experience. A degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred. 
  • Proficiency in either: 

  • C#, .NET, and Windows Forms desktop application development in Visual Studio, or 

  • C++ development in a Linux environment. 

  • 1+ years of experience developing software for laboratory, scientific, or medical instrumentation. 

  • Understanding of software architecture and core technical concepts, including: 

  • Service-oriented architecture 

  • Multithreading, semaphores, and mutual exclusion 

  • XML and JSON messaging 

  • Familiarity with software development methodologies and a commitment to Agile practices. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Experience with electronics and embedded systems 

  • Experience interfacing with devices via RS232, RS485, or TCP/IP. 

  • Experience integrating with Tecan, Hamilton, or similar liquid handling robots. 

  • Proficiency in Python or Java. 

  • Experience with AI-assisted software development and/or machine learning. 

  • Experience with Git and GitHub for source code management. 

  • Experience with one or more database types, including relational, graph, or time-series databases. 

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: 

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this roleat  the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on manyfactors  including  geographic location, and we may ultimately  pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be  modified in the future. 

  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

  • This job is eligible to  participate in our short-term incentive programs. 

Note: No amount of pay is  considered to be wages or compensation until such amount isearned,  vested,  and determinable. The amount and availability of  any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that areallocable to a   particular employee  remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be  modified at the Company's sole and absolutediscretion,  consistent with applicable law. 

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html


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About AbbVie

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

North Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2013