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Instrument Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

ALTEN Technology USA

E&I Engineer

Richmond, VA

$90K - $140K/yr

... instrument datasheets, etc.) with operator and equipment safety in mind. * Manage budget, scope ... Bachelor of Electrical Engineering or equivalent degree. * Experienced with complex industrial ...

Team Fishel

Survey Instrument Operator

Stafford, VA · On-site

$20 - $26/hr

Location Stafford, VA Market Surveying & Engineering (PSG) Who is Team Fishel? Since 1936, we've ... Survey Instrument Operators at Team Fishel assist the Survey Crew Leader on projects by performing ...

Timmons Group

Survey Instrument Operator

Richmond, VA · On-site

$21 - $29/hr

The Instrument Operator assists Land Surveyors and Party Chiefs in application of principles, methods, and techniques of civil engineering and land surveying by performing the following duties.

Timmons Group

Survey Instrument Operator

Staunton, VA · On-site

$21 - $29/hr

The Instrument Operator assists Land Surveyors and Party Chiefs in application of principles, methods, and techniques of civil engineering and land surveying by performing the following duties.

Timmons Group

Survey Instrument Operator

Richmond, VA · On-site

The Instrument Operator assists Land Surveyors and Party Chiefs in application of principles, methods, and techniques of civil engineering and land surveying by performing the following duties.

AdvanSix

Instrument Mechanic - Chesterfield

Richmond, VA · On-site

$46.52/hr

... systems o Instrument enclosures and wiring systems • Performing and documenting instrument ... engineering practices to instrumentation repair work for a variety of typical process plant ...

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All JobsInstrument Engineer JobsInstrument Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Instrument Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$12.4K

$104K

$162.6K

How much do instrument engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for instrument engineer in Virginia is $103,996.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,800.00 and $130,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes certifications or advanced degrees.

What Does an Instrument Engineer Do?

As an instrument engineer, your job is to design and build mechanical and electronic instruments for your employer. Most instruments are purpose-built to accomplish specific objectives, such as measuring the presence of particular chemicals or the pressure within pipes. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of an instrument engineer often requires creativity, flexibility, and the ability to coordinate with other engineers. You may also need to manage supplies, test instruments, or work overtime as needed to develop better instruments. This job title refers exclusively to designing and building instruments that measure or control processes and should not be confused with jobs that design and create musical instruments.

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

To thrive as an Instrument Engineer, you need a solid background in instrumentation, control systems, and process automation, often supported by a degree in engineering and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with tools like PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, and certifications such as ISA CAP or equivalent are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex systems. These competencies are vital for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of industrial operations.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. These positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and work in high-demand industries or high-cost-of-living regions.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. These roles typically involve high responsibility, complex problem-solving, and may require working in high-demand industries or leadership positions.

What are some common challenges Instrument Engineers face when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Instrument Engineers often collaborate with process, electrical, and mechanical engineers, which can present challenges in aligning technical requirements and project timelines. Integrating instrumentation with complex systems requires clear communication to ensure proper data flow and control functionality. Adapting to evolving project specifications and troubleshooting issues during commissioning are also common, making flexibility and problem-solving skills essential. Building strong relationships with colleagues across disciplines helps streamline the process and achieve project goals efficiently.

What is the difference between Instrument Engineer vs Control Systems Engineer?

AspectInstrument EngineerControl Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Instrumentation Engineering; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Control Engineering; similar certifications in control systems
Work EnvironmentOil & gas, manufacturing, chemical plants, focusing on instrumentation and process controlAutomation, manufacturing, power plants, focusing on control system design and integration
Employer & Industry UsageIndustries requiring precise instrumentation for process controlIndustries implementing automation and control system solutions

Both roles involve engineering expertise in process control, but Instrument Engineers focus on selecting, installing, and maintaining instrumentation devices, while Control Systems Engineers design and optimize control algorithms and systems. They often collaborate but serve different technical functions within industrial settings.

What does an instrument engineer do?

An instrument engineer designs, develops, installs, and maintains control systems and instrumentation used in industrial processes. They work with sensors, controllers, and automation equipment to ensure accurate measurement and operation, often using tools like PLCs and SCADA systems. The role typically requires knowledge of engineering principles, safety standards, and relevant certifications.
More about Instrument Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Instrument Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Instrument Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Instrument Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Instrument Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Instrument Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Instrument Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Instrument Engineer jobs in VA? For Instrument Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Instrument Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Instrument Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,996 per year, or $50 per hour.
E&I Engineer

E&I Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA

Richmond, VA

$90K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world's toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

As an E&I Engineer you will be responsible for;

  • Read, interpret and comment on engineering documents, including P&IDs, GAs, process design guidelines, return of experience, and engineering best practices guides.
  • Interpret, comment and follow contract and customer specifications.
  • Perform required calculations and select the appropriate instrumentation for water treatment facilities as well as all supporting documentation (instrument lists, termination drawings, instrument datasheets, etc.) with operator and equipment safety in mind.
  • Manage budget, scope, schedule and proactively report risks and opportunities to project teams.
  • Select equipment and design complex low voltage industrial control systems in compliance with UL and CEC for water treatment facilities, some with Class 1 Div 2 areas, (single line diagrams/load lists, I/O lists, panel design and schematics, and network architectures) with operator and equipment safety in mind with high quality.
  • Support project bids, provide technical guidance to meet customer needs
  • Ability to collaborate in and lead cross-functional project team discussions and client meetings.
  • Proven ability to develop and follow procedures and standards, while extrapolating new concepts from established standards.
  • Knowledge of and/or demonstrated ability to learn equipment and processes related to Veolia WTS products and system

Qualifications;

  • Experience with design of complex low voltage industrial control systems in compliance with UL and CEC
  • Experience designing control panels and selecting equipment for use in Class 1 Div 2 areas
  • Excellent problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills (including coordinating, reporting, documentation, and presentations)
  • Bachelor of Electrical Engineering or equivalent degree.
  • Experienced with complex industrial control system design.
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant or related experience.
  • Valid passport and driver's license.

Preferred:

  • Understanding of hydraulics and fundamentals of fluid mechanics.
  • Understanding of basic water chemistry.
  • Strong focus on customer relationships (external/internal). Understands balance between customer and SUEZ teams.
  • Experience with control systems, Programmable Logic Controllers, HMI and SCADA design and programming.
  • Basic technical knowledge in the field of industrial control systems.
  • Understanding of Low Voltage Power Distribution System design.

Working Conditions:

Occasional travel (15%) for client meetings, customer site visits and/or visits to other offices

Salary Range: $90k-$140k

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.