ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Instrument Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

CoVar

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Mclean, VA

$105K - $145K/yr

Senior Machine Learning Engineer Location: McLean, VA (hybrid); occasional travel to Durham, NC and ... Deploy models to production (typically on the edge), instrument for monitoring, and iterate with CI ...

Serviss

Senior Data Pipeline Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$121K - $165K/yr

Senior Data Pipeline Engineer Location: Washington D.C. Area / Remote Employment Type: Full-Time ... Instrument pipelines with monitoring, alerting, and logging so data-flow issues are detected and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsInstrument Engineer JobsSenior Instrument Engineer JobsSenior Instrument Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Senior Instrument Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$78.3K

$115.8K

$163.6K

How much do senior instrument engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior instrument engineer in Virginia is $115,837.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,200.00 and $135,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Instrument Engineers when working on multidisciplinary projects?

Senior Instrument Engineers often encounter challenges coordinating with other engineering disciplines, such as process, electrical, and mechanical teams, to ensure instrumentation specifications align with overall project requirements. Integrating new instrumentation technologies into existing systems while maintaining compliance with safety and industry standards can also be demanding. Effective communication, strong project management skills, and adaptability are essential to successfully navigate these complexities and ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget.

What does a Senior Instrument Engineer do?

A Senior Instrument Engineer is responsible for designing, specifying, installing, and maintaining instrumentation and control systems used in industrial processes. They ensure that these systems function efficiently, safely, and reliably to monitor and control variables such as pressure, temperature, and flow. Senior Instrument Engineers often lead projects, troubleshoot complex issues, and provide technical guidance to junior engineers. They also collaborate with other engineering disciplines to optimize process performance and comply with industry standards.

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

To thrive as a Senior Instrument Engineer, you typically need a degree in engineering (often electrical, instrumentation, or control engineering) and extensive experience with instrumentation design, installation, and maintenance. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as PLCs, DCS, CAD software, and familiarity with relevant codes and certifications like ISA or IEC are essential. Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help coordinate teams and interface with other engineering disciplines. These skills and qualities ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of complex industrial processes.

What is the difference between Senior Instrument Engineer vs Instrument Technician?

AspectSenior Instrument EngineerInstrument Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Engineering, certifications like CSE or ISATechnical diploma or associate degree, specialized training
Work EnvironmentDesign, project management, troubleshooting in industrial plantsInstallation, maintenance, calibration on-site
Industry UsageEngineering firms, oil & gas, manufacturingRefineries, power plants, process industries

While both roles involve instrumentation, the Senior Instrument Engineer focuses on design, planning, and troubleshooting at a higher level, often overseeing projects. The Instrument Technician handles hands-on installation, maintenance, and calibration tasks. Both roles are essential in industrial settings but differ in responsibilities and required qualifications.

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 cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Instrument Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Senior Instrument Engineer job openings:
Senior Instrument Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Instrument Engineer job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,837 per year, or $55.7 per hour.

Senior Electrical I&C Engineer - Water (Richmond & Norfolk)

Burns & McDonnell

Richmond, VA

$106K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Burns & McDonnell rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 80 rated construction

Job description

The Senior Instrument & Controls (I&C) Engineer will work on design teams to create world class designs for green field and brown field municipal water and wastewater projects. The Senior I&C Engineer will work with the design team throughout the Engineering/design, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) process, adapting I&C plans according to assigned budget, schedule, engineering/design standards, and client requirements. The Senior I&C Engineer will assist in providing deliverables for basis of design, design, and support construction phases.
What you will do

  • Prepare or review instrumentation engineering/design deliverables, including P&IDs, Instrument Location Plans, and Wiring Diagrams.
  • Prepare or review controls design deliverables, including I/O list, Process Control Narratives, and manage third party control system suppliers to comply with the control system design requirements, including participating in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT).
  • Work with Assistant and Staff engineers as well as designers to efficiently develop all documentation above.
  • Review bids, make technical recommendations and oversee purchase, review of I&C packages, and review of vendor documentation.
  • Responsible for applying knowledge of commonly used I&C engineering/design concepts, principles, practices, codes, and procedures within the engineering services industry.
  • Provide leadership and guidance for less experienced engineers.
  • Responsible for compliance with company and project site safety policies.
  • Bachelor Degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program and 7 years electrical engineering experience. EPC project experience preferred. Required or
  • Bachelor Degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited program and successful completion of Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and 7 years electrical engineering experience. EPC project experience preferred.
  • Master Degree in Electrical Engineering and 6 years electrical engineering experience. EPC project experience preferred.
  • Expert knowledge in standard engineering techniques and procedures. Strong computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience with leading the discipline design for large projects and delegating work tasks to team members. Ability to lead execution of work and resolve issues in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated critical thinking skills, ability to work methodically and analytically in a quantitative problem-solving environment.
  • Strong attention to detail, facilitation, team building, collaboration, organization and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to perform quality reviews for detailed engineering documents and specifications.

  • Ability to travel. 

  • Professional Engineer (PE) License Preferred

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

What Burns & McDonnell employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Burns & McDonnell logo

About Burns & McDonnell

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Burns & McDonnell assists clients of all sizes and industries by providing extensive physical services ranging from assessments, integrated security solutions, and large security architecture designs. Services we typically provide include security and safety system design, threat, risk, and vulnerability assessments, security surveys, security master planning, compliance to federal security programs, independent validation and verification of integrated security system operations, management of installation and maintenance, and staff augmentation to develop and implement facility management and protection processes.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Kansas City, MO, US

Year founded

1898

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Burns & McDonnell Jobs

Apply