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Senior Instrument Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

TAI

Senior Instrument Tech

Linthicum, MD · On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

As a Senior Instrument Technician, you'll be a hands-on technical leader supporting industrial ... About TAI: TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services ...

TAI

Senior Instrument Tech

Linthicum, MD

$100K - $125K/yr

As a Senior Instrument Technician, you'll be a hands-on technical leader supporting industrial ... About TAI: TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services ...

TAI

Instrument Technician

Linthicum, MD · On-site

$20 - $28/hr

... senior technicians in the field. About TAI: TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services, and technical services - combining proven execution with trusted ...

TAI

Instrument Technician

Linthicum, MD

$20 - $28/hr

... senior technicians in the field. About TAI: TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services, and technical services - combining proven execution with trusted ...

Instrument

Executive Technical Director

Washington, DC · On-site

$200K - $280K/yr

Serve as the senior technology partner for one of Instrument's most significant client relationships, building trusted partnerships with engineering and product leaders. * Drive our evolution into an ...

New

KBR, Inc.

Sr Thermal Engineer

Greenbelt, MD · On-site

$142K - $213K/yr

Title: Sr Thermal Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! Around here, we define the future. But ... Perform instrument-level and spacecraft-level thermal design, modeling, and analysis for ground and ...

Alutiiq

Senior Staff Engineer Chief

Greenbelt, MD · On-site

Instrument simulators include LIS, LOpS, and SDVF. Provide SME reviews of instrument simulator I&T ... The Senior Staff Engineer - Chief is a world-renowned expect in his/her primary field of expertise.

CoVar

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Mclean, VA

$105K - $145K/yr

Senior Machine Learning Engineer Location: McLean, VA (hybrid); occasional travel to Durham, NC and ... Deploy models to production (typically on the edge), instrument for monitoring, and iterate with CI ...

Zócalo Health

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC

$170K - $180K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Remote (Full Time) This role is open to candidates located on the East ... Partner with product to refine MVP scope, instrument features where appropriate, and measure usage ...

SERVISS LLC

Senior Data Pipeline Engineer

Arlington, VA · Remote

$108K - $147K/yr

Senior Data Pipeline Engineer Location: Washington D.C. Area / Remote Employment Type: Full ... Instrument pipelines with monitoring, alerting, and logging so data-flow issues are detected and ...

Serviss

Senior Data Pipeline Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$121K - $165K/yr

Senior Data Pipeline Engineer Location: Washington D.C. Area / Remote Employment Type: Full-Time ... Instrument pipelines with monitoring, alerting, and logging so data-flow issues are detected and ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsInstrument Engineer JobsSenior Instrument Engineer JobsSenior Instrument Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Senior Instrument Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$89.5K

$132.3K

$186.8K

How much do senior instrument engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior instrument engineer in Washington, DC is $132,306.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,400.00 and $155,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Instrument Engineers when working on multidisciplinary projects?

Senior Instrument Engineers often encounter challenges coordinating with other engineering disciplines, such as process, electrical, and mechanical teams, to ensure instrumentation specifications align with overall project requirements. Integrating new instrumentation technologies into existing systems while maintaining compliance with safety and industry standards can also be demanding. Effective communication, strong project management skills, and adaptability are essential to successfully navigate these complexities and ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget.

What does a Senior Instrument Engineer do?

A Senior Instrument Engineer is responsible for designing, specifying, installing, and maintaining instrumentation and control systems used in industrial processes. They ensure that these systems function efficiently, safely, and reliably to monitor and control variables such as pressure, temperature, and flow. Senior Instrument Engineers often lead projects, troubleshoot complex issues, and provide technical guidance to junior engineers. They also collaborate with other engineering disciplines to optimize process performance and comply with industry standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Instrument Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Instrument Engineer, you typically need a degree in engineering (often electrical, instrumentation, or control engineering) and extensive experience with instrumentation design, installation, and maintenance. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as PLCs, DCS, CAD software, and familiarity with relevant codes and certifications like ISA or IEC are essential. Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help coordinate teams and interface with other engineering disciplines. These skills and qualities ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of complex industrial processes.

What is the difference between Senior Instrument Engineer vs Instrument Technician?

AspectSenior Instrument EngineerInstrument Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Engineering, certifications like CSE or ISATechnical diploma or associate degree, specialized training
Work EnvironmentDesign, project management, troubleshooting in industrial plantsInstallation, maintenance, calibration on-site
Industry UsageEngineering firms, oil & gas, manufacturingRefineries, power plants, process industries

While both roles involve instrumentation, the Senior Instrument Engineer focuses on design, planning, and troubleshooting at a higher level, often overseeing projects. The Instrument Technician handles hands-on installation, maintenance, and calibration tasks. Both roles are essential in industrial settings but differ in responsibilities and required qualifications.

Senior Instrument Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Instrument Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,306 per year, or $63.6 per hour.

Sr. Detector/Instrument Engineer

Columbus Technologies and Services Inc

Greenbelt, MD • On-site

$120K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 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.