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Sensor Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lynker

Marine Sensor Data Scientist - AI/ML

Miami, FL · On-site

$110 - $160/hr

Overview Lynker Corporation is seeking a Marine Sensor Data Scientist - AI/ML to support NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Fisheries Assessment, Technology & Engineering ...

Dexcom Inc.

Director of Sensor Research

San Diego, CA · On-site

$190.10 - $316.80/hr

Lead sensing technology innovation and scientific strategy, expanding Dexcom's portfolio of continuous and connected health solutions. * Define and drive long‑term sensor technology roadmaps ...

Dexcom, Inc.

Director of Sensor Research

San Diego, CA · On-site

If you're excited by breakthrough science, strategic leadership, and making a meaningful impact on people's lives, this is the team for you. Where you come in: As the Director of Sensor Research, you ...

Arcfield

Sensor Engineer IV

Las Cruces, NM · On-site

A degree in Imaging Science or Engineering * Experienced in Image Science (Phenomenology, Sensor technology, Image Processing) * Understanding of Image chain analysis to include sensor modeling ...

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Sensor Scientist information

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$50.5K

$111.3K

$137.5K

How much do sensor scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for sensor scientist in the United States is $111,343.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,500.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sensor scientist, and why are they important?

A Sensor Scientist typically needs a solid background in physics, chemistry, or engineering, along with experience in sensor design, data analysis, and a relevant advanced degree. Familiarity with analytical tools, simulation software, and laboratory instrumentation is crucial, and certifications in areas like instrumentation or materials science can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for excelling in this field. These competencies enable Sensor Scientists to innovate, accurately interpret sensor data, and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges sensor scientists face when developing new sensor technologies?

Sensor Scientists often encounter challenges such as ensuring sensitivity and accuracy of new sensors while maintaining cost-effectiveness and scalability for manufacturing. Integrating sensors with existing hardware and software platforms can also be complex, requiring close collaboration with engineers and data scientists. Additionally, staying up-to-date with rapidly evolving materials and technology standards is crucial, as is navigating regulatory requirements for safety and environmental impact.

What is a sensor scientist?

Sensor Scientists are professionals who research, design, develop, and test sensors used to detect and measure physical properties such as temperature, pressure, motion, light, or chemical composition. They work in a variety of industries including electronics, automotive, environmental monitoring, healthcare, and manufacturing. Sensor Scientists often collaborate with engineers to improve existing sensor technology or create new types of sensors for specialized applications. Their work involves both theoretical analysis and hands-on experimentation to enhance sensor performance, reliability, and integration into systems.

What is the difference between Sensor Scientist vs Sensor Engineer?

AspectSensor ScientistSensor Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a master's or Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, or materials scienceUsually holds a bachelor's or master's in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, or R&D departmentsManufacturing facilities, product development teams, or engineering firms
Primary FocusDeveloping new sensor materials and understanding sensor phenomenaDesigning, testing, and implementing sensor systems for practical applications
Industry UsageResearch and development, academia, specialized industriesElectronics, automotive, aerospace, consumer devices

Sensor Scientists focus on researching and developing new sensor materials and understanding sensor behavior, often working in labs or academic settings. Sensor Engineers apply this knowledge to design and implement sensor systems in real-world products and applications. While both roles require technical expertise, their work environments and primary objectives differ.

More about Sensor Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Sensor Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Sensor Scientist job openings:
What states have the most Sensor Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Sensor Scientist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Sensor Scientist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Sensor Scientist jobs are:
Sensor Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sensor Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,343 per year, or $53.5 per hour.

Research Scientist, Camera and Sensor Systems

Meta

Burlingame, CA

$219K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 242 rated software companies

Job description

Meta Reality Labs is seeking a Research Scientist to advance the science of camera systems and sensor technologies for next-generation augmented and virtual reality devices. In this role, you will conduct foundational and applied research to develop novel imaging architectures, sensor modalities, and computational photography pipelines that enable immersive, real-world-aware experiences on wearable AR/VR hardware. Your work will directly shape the perceptual capabilities of Meta's spatial computing platforms, from smart glasses to mixed reality headsets, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in scene understanding, depth sensing, and real-time visual capture at the intersection of optics, hardware, and algorithms.
Research Scientist, Camera and Sensor Systems Responsibilities:
  • Define and drive the long-term research vision for camera and sensor systems across Meta's AR/VR and wearable device portfolio
  • Conduct original research in imaging science, sensor physics, computational photography, and multi-modal sensing to solve fundamental challenges in spatial computing
  • Architect novel sensor fusion frameworks that integrate data from RGB cameras, depth sensors, IMUs, and other modalities for robust real-world perception
  • Develop and validate computational imaging algorithms including HDR, low-light enhancement, optical flow, and real-time image signal processing pipelines for resource-constrained wearable hardware
  • Collaborate with hardware engineering, optics, and silicon teams to co-design sensor architectures that meet the form factor, power, and latency requirements of AR glasses and VR headsets
  • Translate research prototypes into production-quality systems by partnering with product and engineering teams across the full development lifecycle
  • Publish research findings in top-tier peer-reviewed venues and represent Meta at leading conferences in imaging, computer vision, and sensor science
  • Establish technical direction and research roadmaps for camera and sensor capabilities, influencing multi-year product strategy across Reality Labs
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to other researchers and engineers working on imaging and sensing problems
  • Identify and evaluate emerging sensor technologies and imaging paradigms that could define the next generation of wearable perceptual systems

Minimum Qualifications:
  • 12+ years of research experience in camera systems, computational imaging, sensor design, or a closely related field
  • Demonstrated record of research leadership resulting in publications in top-tier venues such as CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, SIGGRAPH, ICCP, or IEEE Transactions on Image Processing
  • Experience designing or co-designing imaging hardware and sensor systems, including knowledge of optics, image signal processing pipelines, and sensor physics
  • Experience developing and deploying computational photography or sensor fusion algorithms on embedded or resource-constrained platforms
  • Track record of translating foundational research into product impact at scale, including cross-functional collaboration with hardware and engineering teams

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with AR/VR or wearable device development, including understanding of the unique imaging and sensing constraints imposed by head-mounted form factors
  • Expertise in depth sensing technologies such as structured light, time-of-flight, or stereo vision, and their integration with RGB imaging systems
  • History of filing patents and driving intellectual property strategy in camera, optics, or sensor domains
  • Experience applying machine learning and neural network approaches to image reconstruction, scene understanding, or sensor calibration problems

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$219,000/year to $301,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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