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Sr Instrumentation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Control Systems Engineer

Caspar, CA

$184K - $191K/yr

JOB SUMMARY This is a senior level control systems and instrumentation engineer position. The position requires strong technical ability to both perform engineering tasks and lead others, ability to ...

Bechtel is seeking a Senior Control Systems and Instrumentation (CS&I) Engineering Group Supervisor for the Mining & Metals team, based in Brisbane, Australia. This role will be responsible for ...

Senior Structural Test Engineer or related job title in which 6 years of experience in Composite and Metallic analysis (static and fatigue), design engineering, and instrumentation engineering was ...

Showing results 41-60

Sr Instrumentation Engineer information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Instrumentation Engineer?

To thrive as a Sr Instrumentation Engineer, you need a strong background in instrumentation engineering, process control, and system integration, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering and relevant work experience. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, and familiarity with ISA standards or certifications such as CCST is typical. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial for managing complex projects and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of industrial processes, directly impacting organizational performance and safety.

What is the difference between Sr Instrumentation Engineer vs Instrumentation Engineer?

AspectSr Instrumentation EngineerInstrumentation Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering, certifications like CSE, experience in project managementBachelor's degree in Engineering, entry-level certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, oversee installation, troubleshooting in industrial plantsAssist in installation, maintenance, basic troubleshooting
ResponsibilitiesLead projects, develop instrumentation systems, ensure safety standardsSupport instrumentation tasks, perform routine checks

The main difference lies in experience and responsibility level. Sr Instrumentation Engineers typically lead projects and have advanced certifications, while Instrumentation Engineers focus on supporting roles and basic tasks. Both roles are essential in industrial settings, with the senior role requiring more expertise and leadership.

What does a Sr Instrumentation Engineer do?

A Sr Instrumentation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and managing instrumentation systems used to monitor and control engineering processes, often in industries like oil and gas, manufacturing, or power generation. They oversee the selection and installation of instruments such as sensors, control systems, and measurement devices. In addition, they ensure all instrumentation meets regulatory standards and works efficiently, troubleshoot technical issues, and often lead or mentor junior engineers. Their role is crucial in optimizing operational performance and maintaining safety standards.

What are some typical challenges faced by a Sr Instrumentation Engineer when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

As a Sr Instrumentation Engineer, you will often collaborate closely with process, electrical, and mechanical engineers, which requires clear communication and strong coordination skills. A common challenge is ensuring that instrumentation designs integrate seamlessly with other engineering disciplines while meeting project specifications and safety standards. Managing conflicting priorities, addressing integration issues, and keeping up with technological advances in instrumentation are also key aspects of the role. Proactively engaging with team members and staying current on industry best practices can help overcome these challenges.
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What cities in California are hiring for Sr Instrumentation Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Sr Instrumentation Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Sr Instrumentation Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Senior Instrument Systems Engineer

Muon Space

Mountain View, CA • On-site, Remote

$166K - $223K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

About the role
Muon seeks a Senior Instrument Systems Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA or Remote, with a focus on infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engineer with a versatile skill set who is comfortable working across many layers of technical depth from individual components through system level. This role will be a key member of the instrument engineering team, driving development from concept through on-orbit operations for our national security missions. Previous experience developing and operating infrared electro-optical systems, remote sensing instruments, and test infrastructure in fast-paced and small-team environments is preferred.
Responsibilities
  • Lead instrument architecture trades, define concept of operations, own radiometric model and throughput budget, drive requirements decomposition/flowdown and verification and validation (V&V) planning.
  • Develop and manage technical budgets, including mass, power, thermal, line-of-sight pointing/jitter, and data volume, to ensure adequate margins throughout development.
  • Develop comprehensive interface control documents (ICDs) across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software interfaces, to drive a modular instrument architecture.
  • Support optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, including collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Champion the continuous improvement of systems engineering methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency in instrument development.
  • Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, program managers, external partner teams, and other stakeholders.
  • This position participates in a 24/7 on-call rotation to support on-orbit anomaly resolution. The on-call rotation is approximately one week per month.
Qualifications
  • B.S, M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field, or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment, with exposure to imaging systems, infrared remote sensing instruments, and spacecraft.
  • Software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, Julia).
  • Experience with root cause analysis efforts including data analysis and testing.
  • Experience performing data analysis, post-processing, and test report generation.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
  • Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week.
  • Ability to obtain TS/SCI security clearance required, active clearance strongly preferred.
Nice-to-have Skills
  • Experience integrating and interpreting STOP analysis results to drive instrument design trades and error budget allocations.
  • Experience working hands-on with precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment.
  • Experience supporting environmental testing (thermal stress screening, TVAC, random vibration), integrated spacecraft testing, and launch campaigns.
  • Experience working in cleanroom environments.
Salary
The salary range for this role is $166,000 to $223,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.
About Muon Space
Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.
Taking Care of Our Team
At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.
Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.