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Senior Instrument Technician Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

... instrument. Senior Optical Engineer will be located onsite, at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center ... Work with other engineers, technicians, manufacturing, and quality engineers in a team environment

... instrument. Senior Optical Engineer will be located onsite, at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center ... Work with other engineers, technicians, manufacturing, and quality engineers in a team environment

Senior Equipment Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$80K - $136K/yr

You will move confidently between resolving complex instrument failures, optimizing maintenance ... Provide technical guidance, work reviews, and mentorship to junior maintenance technicians

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Senior Instrument Technician information

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$15

$31

$49

How much do senior instrument technician jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior instrument technician in Washington is $31.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.94 and $37.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior instrument technician?

Senior Instrument Technicians are highly skilled professionals responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing complex instrumentation and control systems used in industrial settings such as manufacturing plants, refineries, and power stations. They ensure that instruments used to monitor and control processes are functioning correctly, calibrating equipment to precise specifications. In addition to technical duties, they often lead teams, mentor junior technicians, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior instrument technician?

To thrive as a Senior Instrument Technician, you need deep knowledge of instrumentation, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance, typically backed by a relevant technical diploma or degree and significant hands-on experience. Familiarity with PLCs, DCS, HART communicators, and certification such as ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) are highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding technicians apart. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of industrial instruments and control systems critical to plant performance.

What are some common challenges faced by senior instrument technicians in industrial settings?

Senior Instrument Technicians often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex instrumentation systems under tight deadlines and ensuring compliance with strict safety and regulatory standards. The role requires staying updated with rapidly evolving technologies and adapting to new control systems or protocols. Collaborating closely with engineers, operations, and maintenance teams is essential to minimize downtime and maintain process efficiency. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are critical in addressing unexpected equipment failures and implementing long-term solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Instrument Technician jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Instrument Technician jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Instrument Technician jobs in Washington?

For Senior Instrument Technician jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Instrument Technician jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Instrument Technician jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Senior Instrument Technician jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Senior Instrument Technician job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Instrument Technician job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,841 per year, or $31.7 per hour.

Senior Electrical Test Technician

ABM Industries, Inc.

Lanham, MD • On-site

$75 - $85/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


ABM Industries rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 417 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

163rd of 258 rated facilities management


Job description


ABM Industries is seeking a Lead Testing Technician to join our Electrical Power Services team. This position serves as the highest-level field technical role within the organization and is responsible for leading complex testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, maintenance, and power system evaluation projects.
The Lead Testing Technician functions as the technical authority on assigned projects, providing leadership, oversight, mentorship, and advanced technical expertise for electrical power systems ranging from low-voltage distribution through medium- and high-voltage applications. This role independently performs complex investigations, develops technical recommendations, oversees project execution, ensures compliance with industry standards, and provides leadership to testing personnel across multiple crews and project sites.
NETA certification is not required; however, candidates should possess technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and field experience equivalent to an advanced senior electrical testing professional.
Pay: $75.00-$85.00 per hour
The pay listed is the salary range for this position. Any specific offer will vary based on the successful applicant's education, experience, skills, abilities, geographic location, and alignment with market data.
You may be eligible to participate in a Company incentive or bonus program.
Benefit Information: ABM offers a comprehensive benefits package. For information about ABM's benefits, visit ABM 2026 Employee Benefits | Staff & Management
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
  • Lead acceptance testing, maintenance testing, troubleshooting, commissioning, startup, and system evaluation projects.
  • Serve as the technical lead for complex electrical power system projects.
  • Independently inspect, test, evaluate, troubleshoot, and commission:
  • Low-, medium-, and high-voltage switchgear
  • Protective relay systems
  • Power transformers
  • Instrument transformers
  • Circuit breakers
  • Power cables
  • Motor control centers
  • Automatic transfer switches
  • Battery and UPS systems
  • Grounding systems
  • Protective control systems
  • Critical power infrastructure
  • Analyze complex test data and determine equipment condition, serviceability, root causes, and corrective actions.
  • Perform advanced troubleshooting and failure analysis of electrical power systems.
  • Review and interpret project specifications, commissioning plans, testing procedures, one-line diagrams, relay schemes, and construction documents.
  • Develop testing procedures, switching plans, commissioning plans, and technical work instructions.
  • Lead outage planning, electrical switching activities, startup events, and commissioning efforts.
  • Provide technical oversight for field crews and project execution activities.
  • Review and approve field reports, test documentation, technical findings, and recommendations.
  • Interface directly with customers, facility management, consulting engineers, contractors, and project stakeholders.
  • Support project managers with technical planning, scheduling, staffing, and execution strategies.
  • Ensure compliance with company procedures, OSHA requirements, NFPA 70E, NETA standards, IEEE standards, and customer specifications.
  • Conduct technical training and mentorship programs for Testing Technicians I, II, and Senior Testing Technicians.
  • Support emergency response activities, critical outages, and major system restoration efforts.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Minimum 8-12 years of experience in electrical testing, commissioning, field service, utility operations, power generation, industrial maintenance, data centers, substations, or related electrical power systems work.
  • Demonstrated experience serving as a lead technician, technical lead, crew leader, or project lead.
  • Expert knowledge of:
  • Electrical power systems
  • Protective relaying
  • Power system operations
  • Testing and commissioning methodologies
  • Power quality
  • Electrical system troubleshooting
  • Equipment maintenance strategies
  • Extensive experience interpreting:
  • One-line diagrams
  • Three-line diagrams
  • Schematics
  • Protection and control drawings
  • Construction documents
  • Technical specifications
  • Demonstrated ability to independently evaluate equipment condition and develop technical recommendations.
  • Working knowledge of:
  • NETA ATS
  • NETA MTS
  • IEEE standards
  • ANSI standards
  • NEC requirements
  • OSHA regulations
  • NFPA 70E
  • Experience performing electrical switching, outage coordination, and commissioning activities.
  • Advanced report writing and technical documentation skills.
  • Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
  • Ability to travel up to 75% as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Associate degree or higher in Electrical Technology, Engineering Technology, Electronics, Power Systems, or related field.
  • Experience supporting mission-critical facilities, healthcare systems, utilities, substations, manufacturing facilities, or large industrial operations.
  • Previous responsibility for managing multiple crews or large-scale testing projects.
  • Experience reviewing or developing testing procedures and commissioning plans.
  • OSHA 30, NFPA 70E, CPR/First Aid, and other advanced safety training.
  • NETA certification or equivalent industry-recognized testing credentials.

Leadership Responsibilities
  • Serve as the senior technical resource for assigned projects.
  • Lead and mentor Testing Technician I, Testing Technician II, and Senior Testing Technician personnel.
  • Provide technical review of testing methods, procedures, and reports.
  • Promote and enforce a strong safety culture.
  • Support recruiting, onboarding, training, and technician development initiatives.
  • Assist project managers and operations leadership with workforce planning and project execution.
  • Provide technical support during customer meetings, project planning sessions, and post-project reviews.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Ability to independently execute highly complex testing and commissioning projects.
  • Ability to lead multiple crews and coordinate simultaneous project activities.
  • Advanced troubleshooting and analytical capabilities.
  • Ability to evaluate system performance and equipment condition and provide actionable recommendations.
  • Strong leadership, mentoring, and coaching skills.
  • Strong customer-facing communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to make critical technical decisions in the field.
  • Exceptional organizational, planning, and documentation skills.
  • Commitment to safety, quality, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull tools, materials, and testing equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to stand, walk, climb ladders, kneel, crouch, bend, and work in industrial environments.
  • Ability to work in substations, electrical rooms, industrial facilities, outdoor environments, and mission-critical facilities.
  • Ability to wear all required electrical PPE, including arc-flash and electrical safety equipment.
  • Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency response assignments when required.

Career Progression
The Lead Testing Technician serves as the highest-level field technical role within Electrical Power Services and may progress into Project Manager, Operations Manager, Technical Manager, Engineering Support, or other leadership positions based on business needs and demonstrated performance.
About Us
ABM (NYSE: ABM) is one of the world's largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. Every day, our over 100,000 team members deliver essential services that make spaces cleaner, safer, and efficient, enhancing the overall occupant experience.
ABM serves a wide range of market sectors including commercial real estate, aviation, education, mission critical, and manufacturing and distribution. With over $8 billion in annual revenue and a blue-chip client base, ABM delivers innovative technologies and sustainable solutions that enhance facilities and empower clients to achieve their goals. Committed to creating smarter, more connected spaces, ABM is investing in the future to meet evolving challenges and build a healthier, thriving world. ABM: Driving possibility, together.
ABM is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer that does not discriminate on the basis of any trait or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including disability and protected veteran status. ABM is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in completing the employment application, please call 888-328-8606. We will provide you with assistance and make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
ABM participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. E-Verify is an internet-based system used to electronically confirm employment eligibility.
ABM is a military-friendly company proudly employing thousands of men and women who have served in the U.S. military. With ABM, you'll have access to a world-class training program and ample opportunities to use the skills you developed while serving our country. Whether you're looking for a frontline or professional position, you can find post-military career opportunities across ABM.
ABM directs all applicants to apply at www.abm.com/careers. ABM does not accept unsolicited resumes or submissions outside of this portal. Applicants should submit their application by clicking Apply Now.
For more information, visit www.abm.com

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About ABM

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Administrative assistance services and facilities support services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

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