Automation Technician Jobs in Virginia

Automation Technician jobs in Virginia are in strong and consistent demand, with concentrations in defense electronics, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, and federal contractor facilities from the Northern Virginia corridor down through Hampton Roads and the Richmond metro. Employers with established Virginia footprints that regularly hire automation technicians include Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, and Raytheon Technologies. The most sought-after specialties are PLC programming, robotic cell maintenance, and controls integration across these sectors. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles20
Top employerRippling
Top cityChester, VA
Cities hiring16
Work type71% On-site
Top industryManufacturing

Showing 5 of 20+ Automation Technician jobs

General Security Inc.
Smart Home Security, Automation / Video Technician
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General Security Inc.
Added 3d ago
Smart Home Security, Automation / Video Technician
General Security Inc.
North Chesterfield, Virginia
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Technician
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
$23 - $32/hr
On-Site
51-200

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Ball Corporation
Automation & Controls Technician
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Ball Corporation
Added 3d ago
Automation & Controls Technician
Ball Corporation
Williamsburg, Virginia
Maintenance & Repair
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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U
Medical Records Technician (Office Automation)
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U
Added 3d ago
Medical Records Technician (Office Automation)
US Military Treatment Facilities under DHA
Naval Base, Virginia
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
$41k - $54k/yr
On-Site

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Trivium Packaging
Multimachine Automation Operations Technician
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Trivium Packaging
Added 3d ago
Multimachine Automation Operations Technician
Trivium Packaging
Roanoke, Virginia
Maintenance & Repair
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
High school diploma or GED
5,001-10,000

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Trivium Packaging
Automation Line Technician (GMP/HACCP Manufacturing)
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Trivium Packaging
Added 6d ago
Automation Line Technician (GMP/HACCP Manufacturing)
Trivium Packaging
Roanoke, Virginia
Maintenance & Repair
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
High school diploma or GED
5,001-10,000

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See All 20 Automation Technician Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Automation Technician Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chester
2 jobs
Roanoke
2 jobs
Richmond
2 jobs
Williamsburg
2 jobs
Dulles
1 job
Ashburn
1 job
Dendron
1 job
Hampton
1 job
Staunton
1 job

Automation Technician Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Rippling
Rippling2 open roles
the LEGO
the LEGO2 open roles
Trivium Packaging
Trivium Packaging2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Manufacturing
  • Technology & Software
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in automation technician jobs across Virginia.

  • Associate degree or technical certificate in automation, mechatronics, or industrial electronics
  • Hands-on experience programming and troubleshooting PLCs such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder logic, and mechanical drawings
  • Familiarity with robotics platforms including FANUC, ABB, or KUKA industrial arms
  • Experience with SCADA systems, HMIs, and industrial network protocols such as EtherNet/IP
  • Willingness to obtain a security clearance for defense and federal contractor roles in Virginia

Automation Technician Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a automation technician in Virginia?

Virginia does not require a state-issued license specifically for automation technicians, so the path runs through education and industry credentials. Most employers expect an associate degree or technical certificate in mechatronics, industrial automation, or electrical technology, available through programs at Northern Virginia Community College, Germanna Community College, and Tidewater Community College. Earning certifications such as the PMMI Mechatronics Level credentials or Siemens SITRAIN PLC training strengthens a candidacy considerably in the Virginia market.

How much do automation technicians make in Virginia?

Automation technicians in Virginia earn a median of about $74,880 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $48,700 for the lowest 10% to over $105,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire automation technicians in Virginia?

Employers hiring automation technicians in Virginia right now include Rippling, the LEGO, and Trivium Packaging, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's heavy concentration of defense contractors and federal facilities means many openings come with security clearance requirements, which candidates who already hold clearances can use as a meaningful differentiator.

Which Virginia cities have the most automation technician jobs?

The cities with the most automation technician openings in Virginia are Chester, Roanoke, and Richmond. Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads area drive the bulk of demand because of their density of defense contractors, naval facilities, and federal agency operations, while the Richmond corridor adds openings through pharmaceutical manufacturing and consumer goods production tied to the I-95 industrial corridor.

Are there remote automation technician jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. Automation technician work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring physical presence on factory floors, in robotic cells, or at control panels, so most roles are fully on-site. About 29% of automation technician openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to involve controls engineering design, remote PLC diagnostics, or technical documentation rather than live equipment maintenance.

How can I get hired as a automation technician in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is enrolling in a paid apprenticeship or co-op program before completing your credential. Virginia's community college system, particularly Northern Virginia Community College and New River Community College, runs workforce partnerships with local manufacturers and defense suppliers that place students in paid automation roles before graduation. Candidates coming from adjacent trades such as electrician helper, HVAC controls installer, or maintenance mechanic have a strong lateral path, and completing a Siemens or Rockwell Automation fundamentals certification gives a first-time candidate a concrete technical credential to point to in interviews.

Where can I find and apply to automation technician jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to automation technician jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across the state's defense, manufacturing, and federal contractor sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employer.

See All 20 Automation Technician Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Automation Technician Jobs