Methods and system are provided for measuring parameters while drilling a wellbore using a coiled tubing drilling apparatus. An exemplary system includes an instrumented mandrel including a notch in an outer surface of the instrumented mandrel, and an indentation at each end of the notch. A sensor package in the system includes a sensor, a tubular assembly, and a mounting bracket at each end of the tubular assembly. The sensor package is sized to fit in the notch, with each of the mounting brackets fitting in one of the indentations at each end of the knot, and wherein the sensor package is substantially flush with the instrumented mandrel.