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Garbage Collector Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Refuse Collector I

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$46K - $78K/yr

The City of Norfolk's department of Public Works is seeking a Refuse Collector I for our Waste ... gallon garbage cans, furniture, tree limbs, etc. from the curb, replacing damaged trash cans as ...

Garbage Collector information

See Virginia salary details

$5

$16

$29

How much do garbage collector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for garbage collector in Virginia is $16.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.64 and $14.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much is a garbage collector paid?

Garbage collectors in the United States typically earn a median annual salary of around $40,000 to $50,000, depending on experience, location, and union membership. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced workers or those in high-cost areas can earn higher wages, often supplemented with benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

What Is the Job of a Garbage Collector?

A garbage collector’s duties are to pick up trash and recycling and transport it to a landfill, sorting facility, or recycling center. In this career, you may pick up trash from residential buildings, commercial buildings, or both. You may pick up trash cans by hand or operate hydraulic components of the truck that lift the can and dump the contents into the truck. Some garbage collectors drive along specific routes throughout the week, while others respond to calls to pick up trash.

What are some common challenges faced by garbage collectors, and how are they addressed in the workplace?

Garbage collectors often encounter challenges such as exposure to harsh weather conditions, handling heavy or hazardous waste, and navigating busy streets or alleys. To address these, employers typically provide safety training, personal protective equipment, and clear procedures for lifting and handling waste. Teams often work closely to support each other, ensure routes are covered efficiently, and maintain clear communication with supervisors about any issues that arise during collection. Adaptability and teamwork are key to overcoming these challenges while maintaining safety and efficiency.

What is the difference between Garbage Collector vs Waste Management Technician?

AspectGarbage CollectorWaste Management Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalentHigh school diploma; may require certifications in waste management
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, on collection routesOutdoor and indoor waste processing facilities
Industry UsagePublic sanitation servicesWaste treatment and recycling facilities
Job FocusCollecting and transporting wasteManaging waste processing, recycling, and disposal

While both roles involve waste management, Garbage Collectors focus on collecting waste from residential or commercial sites, whereas Waste Management Technicians handle waste processing, recycling, and disposal at facilities. The roles often overlap in industry and credentials but differ in daily tasks and work environment.

What qualifications do you need to be a garbage collector?

Garbage collectors typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must pass a physical exam due to the demanding nature of the job. Some positions require a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) and knowledge of safety procedures and equipment operation.

What does a garbage collector do?

A garbage collector is responsible for collecting and disposing of waste and recyclables from homes, businesses, and public areas. They operate garbage trucks, lift and empty bins, and ensure that trash is properly sorted and disposed of according to local regulations. The job may also involve cleaning streets, maintaining equipment, and interacting with the public to promote proper waste disposal. Garbage collectors play a vital role in keeping communities clean and protecting public health.

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

To thrive as a Garbage Collector, you need physical stamina, a high school diploma or equivalent, and a strong understanding of safety protocols. Familiarity with refuse collection vehicles, hydraulic lift systems, and basic maintenance tools is typically required. Reliability, attention to detail, and teamwork are essential soft skills that enhance performance in this role. These skills ensure efficient, safe waste removal and contribute to maintaining public health and sanitation in communities.

How do you become a garbage collector?

To become a garbage collector, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must pass a physical exam. On-the-job training is provided, and knowledge of safety procedures and operating waste collection equipment is important; some positions may require a commercial driver's license (CDL).

How hard is it to be a garbage collector?

Being a garbage collector involves physically demanding work, often outdoors in various weather conditions, and requires lifting heavy objects and operating specialized trucks. The job typically requires physical fitness, safety awareness, and adherence to schedules, but it generally does not require advanced education or certifications.
What are the most commonly searched types of Garbage Collector jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Garbage Collector jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Garbage Collector jobs in Virginia? For Garbage Collector jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Garbage Collector jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Garbage Collector job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Garbage Collector jobs in VA? For Garbage Collector jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Garbage Collector job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,637 per year, or $16.2 per hour.
Embedded Software Developer-Dahlgren, VA.- Secret Clearance

Embedded Software Developer-Dahlgren, VA.- Secret Clearance

V2X

Dahlgren, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


V2X rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 442 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
Working across the globe, V2X builds smart solutions designed to integrate physical and digital infrastructure from base to battlefield. We bring 120 years of successful mission support to improve security, streamline logistics, and enhance readiness. Aligned around a shared purpose, our $3.9B company and 16,000 people work alongside our clients, here and abroad, to tackle their most complex challenges with integrity, respect, responsibility, and professionalism.
The Advanced Hypersonic Weapons & Guided Munitions Division (E20) of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) conducts research and development analyses in the following technical disciplines: guided munitions including guided and unguided projectiles, guided missiles, and guided rockets, advanced fire control and methods to close the fire control loop against threats, gun and launcher systems, sensors, and high speed projectiles and bullets.
Responsibilities
V2X is looking for team members to provide systems design and technical engineering; engineering technician and project management support; technical writing, risk management, configuration management and logistics support services in the areas of engagement systems which includes: guided munition weapon systems, guided and unguided projectiles, guided missiles, and guided rockets, advanced fire control and methods to close the fire control loop against emerging threats, gun and launcher systems, sensors, high speed projectiles & bullets, missiles and rockets, and test and evaluation.
The successful candidate is expected to perform tasks in the following areas:
  • Design, implement, and test embedded software solutions in C/C++ for microcontrollers, real time operating systems (RTOS), or Linux based embedded systems.
  • Develop firmware and low-level drivers to interface with sensors, communication buses, and custom hardware.
  • Support integration of embedded software with hardware components, including bring up, debugging, and troubleshooting.
  • Participate in system architecture discussions and assist in defining requirements and design specifications.
  • Implement secure coding practices and support cyber-hardened embedded software designs.
  • Conduct unit testing, integration testing, and performance validation.
  • Analyze system logs, memory usage, and timing behavior to optimize performance.
  • Create and maintain technical documentation, including design descriptions, interface control documents (ICDs), test procedures, and user guides.
  • Participate in Agile sprint cycles, technical reviews, and code walkthroughs.
  • Provide technical support for fielded systems and assist with defect resolution.
  • Collaborate with electrical, systems, and test engineering teams to ensure end-to-end solution performance.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
  • 3+ years of experience targeting Xilinx/AMD Zynq or Nvidia Jetson platforms running Software Defined Radio (SDR) applications.
  • An Embedded Software / Firmware Engineer who sits somewhere at the intersection of hardware and software co-design.
  • Must have a solid grasp on efficient IQ data streaming, data movement, memory management (without garbage collector), and hardware acceleration
  • Some GPU experience is desired.
  • Specialized experience shall also include demonstrated ability to engineer complex systems with integrated software and hardware solutions. An example includes experience related to weapons systems and/or Navy programs utilizing agile software design processes, such as, but not limited to, Python, R, HTML, C/C++, Unix, and Linux.
  • Strong understanding of SharePoint and Microsoft Teams, including experience building and managing sites, pages, lists, and libraries.
  • Strong experience developing embedded software in C and/or C++.
  • Experience working with microcontrollers, SoCs, or embedded Linux systems.
  • Hands on experience with embedded toolchains, debugging tools (JTAG, SWD), oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or serial interfaces.
  • Knowledge of embedded communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, or similar.

Education / Certifications:
Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from an accredited college or university in an engineering, scientific, or technical discipline.
Security Clearance Required:
Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level. US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location.
Physical Requirements:
Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
Skills & Technology Used:
  • Strong understanding of real time constraints, interrupts, and low level hardware interactions.
  • Familiarity with version control systems (Git preferred).
  • Ability to analyze technical problems and produce reliable solutions under schedule constraints.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Material & Equipment Directly Used:
  • Candidate will use standard office IT equipment and Microsoft Office software suite - Word, Excel,Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.
  • Weapons systems and/or Navy programs utilizing agile software design processes, such as, but not limited to, Python, R, HTML, C/C++, Unix, and Linux.
  • Embedded software in C and/or C++.
  • Microcontrollers, SoCs, or embedded Linux systems.
  • Embedded toolchains, debugging tools (JTAG, SWD), oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or serial interfaces.
  • Embedded communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, or similar.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with RTOS environments (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, QNX, RTEMS, etc.).
  • Experience with ARM Cortex processors or similar embedded architectures.
  • Familiarity with Python for test automation and scripting.
  • Experience with embedded security, trusted computing, or secure boot.
  • Background in DoD, Navy systems, or safety critical applications.
  • Experience with modeling tools, interface definition, or hardware simulation.
  • Specific - Candidate should demonstrate experience in at least 50% of the following:

AXI Interconnects: Understanding of AXI4, AXI-Lite, and AXI-Stream protocols and
practical knowledge of high-throughput IQ data streamed from the FPGA fabric into
physical memory.
DMA (Direct Memory Access): Some experience configuring and managing DMA
controllers (e.g., Xilinx AXI DMA, Scatter-Gather DMA) to offload the CPU from copying
data.
Memory Map & Coherency: Understanding of cache coherency between the ARM CPU
and the FPGA, and how to use non-cached memory regions or explicitly flush/invalidate
caches for DMA transfers.
Zero-Copy Architecture: Knowledge of memory-mapping (mmap) techniques to pass IQ
buffers directly from kernel-space DMA memory into user-space C/C++ applications
without copying data in memory.
C/C++: Ability to use C and C++ features (e.g. RAII, smart pointers, move semantics) to
write safe code without sacrificing performance or introducing garbage collection/latency
spikes.
Multi-threading & Real-Time Processing: Proficiency with std::thread, POSIX threads
(pthreads), mutexes, lock-free queues, and setting thread priorities (SCHED_FIFO) to
ensure the IQ processing thread never drops packets (zero-underrun/overrun).
SIMD Vectorization: Ability to use ARM NEON intrinsics in C/C++ to process complex IQ
samples in parallel (e.g., performing block operations on multiple 16-bit IQ pairs
simultaneously). This skill may come in the form of Volk (Vector-Optimized Library of
Kernels) or Eigen library experience.
Linux IIO (Industrial I/O) Framework: Industry standard for SDRs on Linux (used by ADI
devices like AD9361/AD9364) paired with the knowledge of how to interact with
/dev/iio:deviceX and handle IIO buffers.
Driver Interaction: Writing or modifying user-space drivers (via sysfs, ioctl, or custom
character devices) to control RF front-ends.
Build Systems: Experience with Yocto Project, PetaLinux, or Buildroot to generate
custom Linux images for the Zynq board.
IQ Representation: Understanding that IQ samples are complex numbers (In-phase and
Quadrature) represented as interleaved integers (e.g., int16_t I, int16_t Q) or floats, and
how formatting affects memory alignment.
Sample Rates & Bandwidth: Ability to calculate throughput requirements (e.g., 20 MSPS
* 32-bits/sample = 80 MB/s or 640 Mbps data stream) and optimize the C pipeline to
sustain that rate.
Basic DSP Blocks: Practical knowledge of how to apply a digital gain, a basic FIR filter, a
Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), or a Decimator/Interpolator on an incoming stream using
libraries like FFTW or Volk.
At V2X, we are deeply committed to both equal employment opportunities, including protection for Veterans and individuals with disabilities, and fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We ensure all individuals are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, recognizing the strength that comes from a workforce rich in diverse experiences, perspectives, and skills. This commitment, aligned with our core Vision and Values of Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility, allows us to leverage differences, encourage innovation, and expand our success in the global marketplace, ultimately enabling us to
best serve our clients.
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About V2X

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1945