Automation Jobs in Virginia
Automation jobs in Virginia are concentrated in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, where defense contractors, federal agencies, and technology firms drive consistent demand for professionals in industrial controls, robotic process automation, and systems integration. Major employers with a lasting presence in Virginia include Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton, each running large engineering and technology operations across the state. The market ranges from entry-level controls technicians to senior automation engineers and architects, with particularly strong demand in government-adjacent IT and advanced manufacturing. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Work Where it Matters
Akima Global Logistics (AGL), an Akima company, is not just another operations contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.
At AGL, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.
For our shareholders, AGL provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.
For our government customers, AGL delivers comprehensive supply, transportation, and maintenance services designed to optimize and maintain operations.
As an AGL employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.
AGL is looking for a Building Automation Systems Specialist to work in Herndon, VA. The Building Automation Systems (BAS) Specialist serves as the enterprise Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Building Automation and Energy Management Control Systems across a large federal Facilities Operations and Maintenance (O&M) portfolio. The BAS Specialist provides technical leadership, engineering expertise, and strategic oversight to optimize building system performance, improve reliability, reduce lifecycle costs, and ensure compliance with contract requirements and applicable industry standards. To join our team of outstanding professionals, apply today!
Working closely with Program Managers, Chief Engineers, Facility Managers, Controls Technicians, commissioning authorities (CxA), quality personnel, and Government stakeholders, the BAS Specialist supports the full lifecycle of BAS systems, including design reviews, installation, integration, commissioning, cybersecurity, operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, modernization, and continuous optimization.
- Enterprise Technical Leadership:
- Serve as the corporate BAS SME supporting multiple federal facilities and O&M programs.
- Establish enterprise standards, best practices, and governance for BAS operations, maintenance, lifecycle management, and modernization.
- Provide technical consultation to Program Managers, Chief Engineers, and facility operations teams.
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Building Automation Systems Management:
- Support operation and maintenance of building automation platforms, including HVAC controls, central utility plants, lighting controls, metering systems, energy management systems, and integrated building controls.
- Support platforms including Johnson Controls Metasys, Siemens Desigo, Honeywell EBI, Tridium Niagara, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure, Automated Logic, Alerton, Delta Controls, Distech, and other BACnet, Modbus, and LonWorks-based systems, etc.
- Develop standardized BAS maintenance strategies, alarm management protocols, graphics standards, point naming conventions, and preventive maintenance procedures.
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System Integration & Modernization:
- Review engineering designs, control sequences, network architectures, and submittals for new construction, repair, replacement, and modernization projects.
- Evaluate interoperability between BAS, HVAC, electrical, fire alarm (where interface is authorized), metering, utility monitoring, and other building systems.
- Support migration from legacy control systems to open architecture platforms.
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Commissioning & Quality Assurance:
- Support commissioning (Cx) and recommissioning activities for new and modernized BAS installations.
- Develop and review Functional Performance Tests (FPTs), Points-to-Point Verification, Sequence of Operations testing, and Integrated Systems Testing.
- Validate contractor performance and ensure systems operate in accordance with design intent and Owner Project Requirements (OPR).
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Operational Performance Optimization:
- Analyze BAS trends, alarms, and performance data to identify opportunities for energy conservation, operational improvements, and predictive maintenance.
- Lead root cause analysis of recurring HVAC and controls issues.
- Recommend optimization strategies that improve occupant comfort, system reliability, and energy efficiency.
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Cybersecurity & Compliance:
- Ensure BAS architectures align with applicable federal cybersecurity requirements and organizational IT policies.
- Support network segmentation, secure remote access, patch management, user access controls, and vulnerability mitigation.
- Coordinate with facility IT and cybersecurity personnel during system upgrades and modernization.
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Asset Management & Reliability:
- Support lifecycle planning for BAS hardware, software, controllers, sensors, actuators, field devices, and communication infrastructure.
- Develop capital replacement recommendations and technology roadmaps.
- Support CMMS integration and asset documentation.
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Training & Knowledge Management:
- Mentor facility engineers, controls technicians, and maintenance personnel.
- Develop enterprise BAS standards, operating procedures, troubleshooting guides, and training materials.
- Conduct technical workshops and lessons learned sessions across the portfolio.
- Performs work independently. Considered a high-level specialist who regularly interacts and works with senior management.
- Uses advanced techniques, theories, and processes to complete work.
- Typically requires BA and 10-12 years.
- Bachelor of Arts preferred.
- Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience with commercial or federal Building Automation Systems.
- Demonstrated experience supporting large, multi-site facilities O&M or mission-critical environments.
- Johnson Controls, Siemens, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, or Automated Logic factory certifications.
- Certified Automation Professional (CAP) preferred.
See All 139+ Automation Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Automation JobsAutomation Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Automation Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Food & Beverage
- Technology & Software
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in automation jobs across Virginia.
- Experience with programmable logic controllers such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens platforms
- Proficiency in scripting or programming languages including Python, C#, or VBA for RPA workflows
- Familiarity with industrial networking protocols such as Modbus, Profibus, or EtherNet/IP
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field
- Experience with robotic process automation tools such as UiPath, Blue Prism, or Automation Anywhere
- Active DoD security clearance or eligibility to obtain one for defense and federal contractor roles
Automation Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a automation in Virginia?
The path depends on your specialty. Industrial automation engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering, while RPA developers often enter through computer science or IT degrees paired with platform certifications from vendors such as UiPath or Blue Prism. Virginia does not require a state-issued license for most automation roles, but defense-sector positions across Northern Virginia frequently require a federal security clearance, which your employer sponsors and which becomes a practical prerequisite for the highest-volume hiring market in the state.
Which companies hire automations in Virginia?
Employers hiring automations in Virginia right now include Amazon, Capital One, and Siemens, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Northern Virginia's dense concentration of federal contractors and technology integrators makes it one of the most active automation hiring regions on the East Coast.
Which Virginia cities have the most automation jobs?
Richmond, Arlington, and McLean lead Virginia for automation openings. Northern Virginia dominates because of its concentration of defense contractors and federal agencies, Richmond draws manufacturing and financial technology automation talent, and Hampton Roads supports a steady volume of roles tied to military installations and shipbuilding operations at facilities like Newport News Shipbuilding.
Are there remote automation jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but it depends heavily on the specialty. About 66% of automation openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, with most of that share going to RPA developers, automation analysts, and software-side integration roles. Industrial and controls automation positions almost always require on-site presence at a plant, lab, or government facility, so hands-on roles are rarely offered remotely.
How can I get hired as a automation in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a controls technician or junior RPA developer role, which require less experience than engineer-level positions. Large Virginia employers including Northrop Grumman and Leidos run new-graduate hiring programs and internships that feed directly into full-time roles. Community college programs at institutions such as Northern Virginia Community College offer applied electronics and automation coursework that strengthens a candidate's profile. A platform certification from UiPath, Blue Prism, or Automation Anywhere can substitute for years of experience when applying to RPA-focused openings.
Where can I find and apply to automation jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to automation jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across industrial controls, RPA, systems integration, and related specialties. Search the listings for roles that match your background and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 139+ Automation Jobs in Virginia
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