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Electrical Instrumentation Engineering Jobs in Reston, VA

Two years of experience troubleshooting and repairing electrical & instrumentation control systems. One year of experience performing SCADA and PLC troubleshooting and/or programming. One year of ...

Read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and written assembly and test ... Work with engineers to conduct experiments and support product development activities, including ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$110K - $143K/yr

Candidate will provide electrical engineering and design for water and wastewater facility projects ... Experience with instrumentation and control systems including instruments, operator interfaces, and ...

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Electrical Instrumentation Engineering information

See Reston, VA salary details

$75.9K

$116.2K

$167K

How much do electrical instrumentation engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for electrical instrumentation engineering in Reston, VA is $116,165.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,200.00 and $133,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Electrical Instrumentation Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, process control, and instrumentation, often supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical or instrumentation engineering. Familiarity with PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, and relevant certifications such as ISA CAP or EIT are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and complex environments. These skills ensure safe, reliable, and optimized operation of automated and industrial systems.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced electrical instrumentation engineers working in industries such as oil and gas, aerospace, or power generation can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with senior roles, specialized skills, and management responsibilities. These roles often require advanced certifications, extensive experience, and expertise in control systems, automation, or project management.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Electrical instrumentation engineers can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles in industries like oil and gas, power generation, or large-scale manufacturing. High salaries often involve specialized skills in control systems, project management, and working in high-demand environments.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Electrical instrumentation engineers working in specialized industries such as oil and gas, power generation, or large-scale manufacturing can potentially earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles. However, such high earnings are typically reserved for senior positions, project managers, or engineers in high-demand regions with significant responsibilities. Most electrical engineers earn lower median salaries, but career advancement and specialization can increase earning potential significantly.

What does an electrical instrumentation engineer do?

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

What is the difference between Electrical Instrumentation Engineering vs Electrical Engineering?

AspectElectrical Instrumentation EngineeringElectrical Engineering
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical or Instrumentation Engineering, certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, PE license (optional)
Work EnvironmentFactories, process plants, automation systemsPower plants, electrical design firms, manufacturing
Industry UsageIndustrial automation, control systems, instrumentationPower systems, electronics, telecommunications

Electrical Instrumentation Engineering focuses on designing, installing, and maintaining control and instrumentation systems used in industrial processes. Electrical Engineering covers a broader range of electrical systems, including power distribution, electronics, and telecommunications. Both roles often share certifications and work environments but differ in specialization and scope.

What is Electrical Instrumentation Engineering?

Electrical Instrumentation Engineering is a specialized field that focuses on the design, development, installation, and maintenance of instruments and devices used to measure and control electrical systems and processes. Professionals in this field ensure the accuracy and reliability of equipment that monitors variables such as voltage, current, pressure, temperature, and flow in industrial and manufacturing settings. They play a crucial role in automating processes, improving efficiency, and maintaining safety standards in industries like power generation, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.

What are some typical challenges Electrical Instrumentation Engineers face when working on large-scale industrial projects?

Electrical Instrumentation Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new instrumentation systems with existing legacy equipment, ensuring compliance with strict industry safety and regulatory standards, and managing tight project timelines. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including process engineers, electricians, and project managers—is key to overcoming these obstacles. Effective troubleshooting skills and adaptability are crucial, as unexpected technical issues or supply chain delays can arise during installation and commissioning phases.
What are popular job titles related to Electrical Instrumentation Engineering jobs in Reston, VA? For Electrical Instrumentation Engineering jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Electrical Instrumentation Engineering jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Electrical Instrumentation Engineering jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Electrical Instrumentation Engineering jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Electrical Instrumentation Engineering job openings:
Instrumentation Technician II

Instrumentation Technician II

Fairfax County

Fairfax, VA • On-site

$59K - $99K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 hours ago


Fairfax County rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 65 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

303rd of 654 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Job Announcement $2,500 Signing Bonus* Are you a curious individual that likes to learn how things work. Does troubleshooting & analyzing a complex problem motivate you. Do you have fun improving things.

If you identify with these traits, you may find working in Fairfax counties' wastewater instrumentation group at Noman M. Cole Jr. Water Recycling Facility in Lorton a fulfilling career experience.

Responsibilities include: Performs preventative and corrective maintenance on electronic, electrical, and mechanical systems and components associated with flow, level, and analytical measuring devices. Calibrates maintains, and repairs wastewater treatment plant instrumentation. Assists Instrumentation Technician III in the installation, repairs, and programming of programmable logic controllers (PLC), digital valve networks, and other complex process control systems.

Performs independent action to troubleshoot and repair the plant process control systems. Responsible for the proper setting and operation of pressure, level, motion, and status switches that interlock to the process control systems. Maintains the continuous emission monitoring system on the incinerator stacks.

Performs calibration and repair on sensor and alarm systems for oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, explosive gas (methane), and fire detection. Utilizes electronic test equipment such as laptop computers, volt/ohm/ amp meters, digital manometers, and a variety of specialty calibrators to verify the accuracy and proper operation of the plant equipment. Keeps accurate records of calibrations and correction maintenance.

Uses a laptop computer for troubleshooting, and researching technical information related to field installations. Documents work completed in a computer-based work order system. Performs other duties as required.

Wastewater Management is part of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), please visit us here to learn more about us. DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone. Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. We are committed to investing in our employees and providing: A defined-benefit retirement plan Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance Generous paid leave and tuition reimbursement A LiveWell wellness program supporting holistic wellbeing Career development opportunities in a large, supportive, and innovative public agency Please review our awesome benefits: Benefits Retirement DPWES is a nationally recognized Utility of the Future responsible for maintaining more than 3,000 miles of sanitary sewers, 60+ pump-stations, and a NACWA Platinum Award winning 67 million gallon per day treatment plant.

Note: Position works in the DPWES, Wastewater Treatment Division, located at 9399 Richmond Hwy. Lorton, Virginia. *A $2,500 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Instrumentation Technician II position.

Employment Standards MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school, or a GED issued by a state department of education or completion of a vocation course of an instrumentation/ technician/electronic or similar vocational and or apprenticeship program; plus three years of work experience related to the installation, maintenance and repair of industrial instrumentation or electronic, electrical equipment found in water or wastewater utilities. CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: A valid driver's license. NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, driving record check, and a pre-employment physical examination to the satisfaction of the employer.

Subject to 24 hour call back and must, therefore, be able to work emergency overtime. Subject to working in adverse weather conditions and may be exposed to raw waste or environments generating methane gas. Ability to distinguish different color wiring.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Associate degree in instrumentation/electrical/electronic technology or related field. Journeyman's license in Instrumentation, Electrical, and or ISA certification. Two years' experience working in an industrial wastewater environment.

Two years of experience troubleshooting and repairing electrical & instrumentation control systems. One year of experience performing SCADA and PLC troubleshooting and/or programming. One year of experience, in water treatment, or pump station maintenance group.

One year of experience reading instrumentation data, interpreting schematics, circuit diagrams, and manuals related to Instrumentation. Confined space certification. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to bend, stoop, crawl and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions.

Ability to climb up to 35 ft., on ladders and scaffolding. Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to lift up to 30 lbs

Ability to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, kneel, crouch, reach, crawl, lift and handle materials with manual dexterity. Visual acuity to review detailed drawings, plans and documents. Work requires entering confined spaces with weight restriction of 310 lbs.

Work requires performing tasks in adverse weather conditions. Work requires performing tasks in an environment in which raw waste is present. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include exercise. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. BONUS ELIGIBILITY: Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only

This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee. Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY. #LI-JT1


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