Entry Level Computer Science Opt Jobs in Richmond, VA

Wunderlich-Malec's Richmond, VA engineering team is seeking a travel-ready, entry-level Field Engineer or Technician who is eager to build hands-on technical experience and grow quickly. Field-based commissioning work provides direct exposure to systems, customers, schedules, and real-time decision-making, accelerating the development of technical expertise and project execution skills. 

Compared with a traditional office-based engineering role, this position provides direct ownership of installation verification, control system testing, commissioning support, and start-up activities. This role supports projects across industries including Data Center, Semiconductor, Life Science, Food & Beverage, and other industrial facilities. Responsibilities include electrical and controls engineering support, electrical and instrumentation verification, coordination with clients and electrical subcontractors, PLC/SCADA/HMI support, commissioning execution, and start-up assistance.

Please Note: This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization, including H-1B sponsorship. The Company does not participate in the STEM OPT training program for this position.

Major Responsibilities

• Installation & Wiring QA/QC Verification (Level 2 Commissioning). Verify that control panels, field devices, instruments, and related control system equipment have been installed and wired in accordance with manufacturer requirements, approved shop drawings, project documentation, and applicable quality standards and specifications
• Point-to-Point Testing (Level 3 Commissioning). Confirm that field devices associated with the control system are installed, wired, addressed, and configured in accordance with approved system drawings and documentation. This includes verification of data to and from field devices, including signals received through network integration
• Functional Performance Testing (FPT) (Level 4 Commissioning). Verify that the control system and field devices operate as defined by the project design documentation. This includes testing control sequences, alarm and alert configuration, alarm activation, trend displays, trend configuration, system graphics, and control system response during failure scenarios
• System-Level Testing Support (Level 5 Commissioning). Support system-level testing to confirm that the control system and field devices operate together as an integrated system. This includes verifying control sequences across related systems, using the facility’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to view equipment status and navigate system screens, activating alarms, monitoring trends, and supporting failure-mode testing

Minimum Requirements

Education BS Electrical, Computer, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering preferred. An AA in Engineering Technology or equivalent field technician experience may be substituted.

Experience New Graduate or 0-2 years of field experience

• Understanding of or exposure to field instrumentation, hardware panels and low voltage controls design
• Understanding of control systems, components, PLC programming, SCADA programming and their applications

Physical Demands of Position

Requirements Above all else, attention to all applicable safety specifications and standards is a requirement. Strong attention to detail and a consistent focus on quality control are required, especially during repetitive commissioning activities. The role may include writing, computer work, field work in construction trailers or industrial environments, color perception, hearing, verbal and written communication, teamwork, manual dexterity, driving, lifting, climbing, mounting and dismounting equipment, pushing, and pulling. Regular interaction and coordination with customers, subcontractors, vendors, and internal project teams is expected. Daily use of a computer, standard office applications, and a mobile phone is required.

Working/Residence Plan

Up to 100% travel to project sites may be required, excluding approved vacation or paid time off.

Work is typically performed Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend work required based on project needs.

Assignments may last multiple months at various U.S.-based project sites. Weekend travel may be available up to two times per month, subject to project schedule requirements and approval. Project housing, airfare, meals, and incidentals are covered by the company in accordance with company policy.

This position includes full company benefits, structured training, mentorship, and three weeks of paid time off.

Work Conditions This is primarily a field-based, hands-on role performing automation work at client sites, with occasional office or trailer-based work as needed.

Field/Client Site Environment (Primary)

• Ability to stand, move, and work on job sites for up to 8-12 hour shifts
• Ability to climb stairs/ladders, work at heights, and occasionally lift up to 40 lbs
• Frequent bending, reaching, and working in and around industrial equipment
• Exposure to construction, industrial, and processing environments, including noise, temperature changes, and moving machinery
• Ability to safely wear required PPE (safety glasses, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, and electrical safety gear as applicable)
• Comfortable performing electrical/instrumentation checkout and troubleshooting (e.g., voltage testing, control panel wiring)

Office/Trailer Work (Occasional)

• Periods of sitting/standing at a computer, including in on-site construction trailers
• Standard office/PC and cell phone use for documentation, communication, and project support

Ability to work safely and effectively in both indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to extreme temperatures, weather conditions, humidity, dust, and other environmental conditions typical of construction, industrial, and processing facilities.

Reasonable accommodation can be provided for individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Career Growth & Advancement This role is designed for ambitious, goal-oriented self-starters who want to accelerate their technical and leadership development through hands-on field experience. Field Engineers and Technicians who demonstrate strong technical capability, sound judgment, ownership, and leadership on-site can advance faster than peers following a traditional office-based engineering path. High performers may move into lead field roles ahead of the typical timeline.

Training & Mentorship You'll build capability through hands-on training across progressively challenging commissioning assignments, Level 2 through Level 5, with mentorship from senior field engineers on every project.

Merit-Based Advancement Advancement is based on demonstrated proficiency, ownership, technical judgment, and field performance - not time in role alone. Commissioning Levels 2 through 5 represent scopes of commissioning activity, not job titles. As capability grows across these scopes, high performers can earn responsibility for larger and more complex commissioning activities.

Own It in the Field As you demonstrate competency, you're given real ownership on-site. This includes:

• Leading point-to-point testing campaigns for entire system areas independently.
• Owning functional performance testing for major systems end-to-end.
• Serving as the primary technical point of contact with subcontractors and customers during system-level testing.
• Directing and overseeing commissioning activities for a major project area — taking full accountability for safety, quality, schedule, and sign-off.

Where Can This Take You Field engineers and technicians who build a strong track record are positioned for rapid advancement, including paths such as:

• Associate Field Engineer → Staff Field Engineer → Senior Field Engineer
• QA/QC Manager
• Controls Project Engineer
• Commissioning Lead
• Project Manager
• Mentor or Technical Evaluator for future field hires

*Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job.  They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Salary Range The expected Salary range is $70,000 - $80,000 annually depending on qualifications plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program.

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical • Dental • Vision • Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D • Long Term Disability • Voluntary Short Term Disability • Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • Health Savings Account • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Paid Holidays • Tuition Reimbursement • Referral Bonus Program • 401(k)/Profit Sharing • 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) • Employee Assistance Program • Will Preparation Resources • Worldwide Travel Assistance

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