Electrical Controls Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Virginia's electrical controls engineer job market draws heavily from its defense contractors, data center operators, and advanced manufacturing base. Companies like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, BAE Systems, and Siemens have active engineering operations across Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor, and several have established track records of sponsoring skilled engineers from abroad.
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Get Access To All JobsThe Halifax County Biomass (HCB) Project is a woody biomass-fueled electric generation facility located in South Boston, Virginia, encompassing a 104-acre site. The plant, with a nameplate capacity of 49.9 MW, began commercial operation in late 2013. It utilizes sustainably sourced wood materials to generate renewable electricity, supporting both regional power needs and local forest-based economies.
Opportunity Summary
The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Halifax County Biomass by maintaining, calibrating, testing, and troubleshooting plant instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment. This position works with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler and combustion controls, emissions monitoring systems, fuel handling equipment, and steam turbine controls while supporting preventive and corrective maintenance, outages, and plant improvement activities.
Your scope of responsibility as IC&E Technician includes the following primary functions:
- Calibrate, test, troubleshoot, repair, and install plant instrumentation and controls, including transmitters, analyzers, control valves, fan dampers, variable speed drives, conveyors, fuel-feed systems, and associated field devices.
- Maintain and troubleshoot PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler control, combustion control, and other automation systems, including supporting logic modifications and control-system optimization.
- Perform preventive, corrective, predictive, and emergency maintenance on electrical equipment such as switchgear, motor control centers, motors, transformers, batteries, chargers, inverters, and generator excitation systems.
- Utilize electrical and instrumentation test equipment to diagnose equipment faults, complete wiring repairs, and verify proper operation of plant systems and components.
- Monitor boiler, steam turbine generator, biomass fuel handling, emissions-control, and auxiliary systems through plant control systems to identify abnormal conditions and support reliable operation.
- Conduct calibration, testing, and performance checks on turbine controls, boiler controls, combustion systems, CEMS equipment, and emissions-control systems, including SCR and hot precipitator equipment.
- Support outages, commissioning activities, equipment modifications, and maintenance projects by coordinating technical work with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, and vendors.
- Document maintenance activities, calibration results, equipment modifications, work orders, drawings, and other technical information accurately and in accordance with plant procedures.
- Contribute to equipment reliability and continuous improvement by assisting with troubleshooting, root cause investigations, procedure updates, and recommendations for plant performance improvements.
- Follow all applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while identifying hazards and properly handling hazardous materials and regulated waste.
- Perform other duties as required to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the Halifax County Biomass Facility.
NAES Safe
Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.
Working Relationships
The IC&E Technician reports directly to the Maintenance Manager and receives general direction from plant management. This position works closely with Operations, Maintenance, contractors, vendors, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) personnel.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Physical demands include standing for extended periods of time, climbing multiple levels of stairs, climbing ladders over 50 feet in height, entering and exiting equipment cabs, traversing uneven or elevated surfaces, and working inside confined spaces. The role routinely requires lifting up to 50 pounds and performing tasks from elevated platforms or walkways.
Work may be performed in conditions involving dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise levels, and extreme temperatures near operating equipment. Outdoor tasks in all weather conditions are required, including in high-heat environments adjacent to biomass processing systems.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory and may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), respirators, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions are enforced in and around the facility to ensure plant safety and environmental compliance.
Fitness for Duty
All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.
Work Schedule
The IC&E Technician works a standard Monday to Friday day-shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.
Compensation
This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $32 to $39 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.
IC& E Qualifications and Technical Competencies
- Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control, Electronics Technology, Industrial Electrical Technology, Plant Technology, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent technical training or relevant industrial or military experience may be considered.
- Previous experience in power generation, biomass, manufacturing, or another heavy industrial environment involving instrumentation, controls, electrical maintenance, and plant equipment.
- Working knowledge of electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers, motors, transformers, batteries, chargers, inverters, variable speed drives, and generator excitation equipment.
- Hands-on experience installing, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting instrumentation such as transmitters, analyzers, control valves, temperature and pressure devices, and related field equipment.
- Familiarity with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler and combustion controls, turbine controls, burner management systems, CEMS, and other plant automation systems.
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, logic diagrams, technical drawings, equipment manuals, and OEM documentation.
- Demonstrated troubleshooting ability to identify instrumentation, electrical, and control-system problems, determine probable causes, and support corrective actions.
- Experience using CMMS or similar maintenance systems to document work orders, equipment history, maintenance activities, and calibration records.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, and vendors.
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.
About NAES
NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.
NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Experience
- Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control, Electronics Technology, Industrial Electrical Technology, Plant Technology, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent technical training or relevant industrial or military experience may be considered.
- Previous experience in power generation, biomass, manufacturing, or another heavy industrial environment involving instrumentation, controls, electrical maintenance, and plant equipment.
- Working knowledge of electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers, motors, transformers, batteries, chargers, inverters, variable speed drives, and generator excitation equipment.
- Hands-on experience installing, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting instrumentation such as transmitters, analyzers, control valves, temperature and pressure devices, and related field equipment.
- Familiarity with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler and combustion controls, turbine controls, burner management systems, CEMS, and other plant automation systems.
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, logic diagrams, technical drawings, equipment manuals, and OEM documentation.
- Demonstrated troubleshooting ability to identify instrumentation, electrical, and control-system problems, determine probable causes, and support corrective actions.
- Experience using CMMS or similar maintenance systems to document work orders, equipment history, maintenance activities, and calibration records.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, and vendors.
Education
- Technical/other training or better in Electronics Engineering Technology or related field preferred.
Licenses & Certifications
- Driver's License required.
Skills
- High Voltage
- Controls
- Electrical Safety and Hazard Awareness
- Electrical Systems and Equipment
- Instrumentation Systems and Devices
- Piping & Instrumentation Schematics - Read & Interp
- P&ID - Piping & Instrumentation Design
- Power Plant Fundamentals
- Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
- Biomass Energy Systems
- IC&E - Instrumentation, Controls & Electrical
- PLC - Programmable Logic Controller
- DCS - Distributed Control System
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
The Halifax County Biomass (HCB) Project is a woody biomass-fueled electric generation facility located in South Boston, Virginia, encompassing a 104-acre site. The plant, with a nameplate capacity of 49.9 MW, began commercial operation in late 2013. It utilizes sustainably sourced wood materials to generate renewable electricity, supporting both regional power needs and local forest-based economies.
Opportunity Summary
The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Halifax County Biomass by maintaining, calibrating, testing, and troubleshooting plant instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment. This position works with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler and combustion controls, emissions monitoring systems, fuel handling equipment, and steam turbine controls while supporting preventive and corrective maintenance, outages, and plant improvement activities.
Your scope of responsibility as IC&E Technician includes the following primary functions:
- Calibrate, test, troubleshoot, repair, and install plant instrumentation and controls, including transmitters, analyzers, control valves, fan dampers, variable speed drives, conveyors, fuel-feed systems, and associated field devices.
- Maintain and troubleshoot PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler control, combustion control, and other automation systems, including supporting logic modifications and control-system optimization.
- Perform preventive, corrective, predictive, and emergency maintenance on electrical equipment such as switchgear, motor control centers, motors, transformers, batteries, chargers, inverters, and generator excitation systems.
- Utilize electrical and instrumentation test equipment to diagnose equipment faults, complete wiring repairs, and verify proper operation of plant systems and components.
- Monitor boiler, steam turbine generator, biomass fuel handling, emissions-control, and auxiliary systems through plant control systems to identify abnormal conditions and support reliable operation.
- Conduct calibration, testing, and performance checks on turbine controls, boiler controls, combustion systems, CEMS equipment, and emissions-control systems, including SCR and hot precipitator equipment.
- Support outages, commissioning activities, equipment modifications, and maintenance projects by coordinating technical work with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, and vendors.
- Document maintenance activities, calibration results, equipment modifications, work orders, drawings, and other technical information accurately and in accordance with plant procedures.
- Contribute to equipment reliability and continuous improvement by assisting with troubleshooting, root cause investigations, procedure updates, and recommendations for plant performance improvements.
- Follow all applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while identifying hazards and properly handling hazardous materials and regulated waste.
- Perform other duties as required to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the Halifax County Biomass Facility.
NAES Safe
Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.
Working Relationships
The IC&E Technician reports directly to the Maintenance Manager and receives general direction from plant management. This position works closely with Operations, Maintenance, contractors, vendors, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) personnel.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Physical demands include standing for extended periods of time, climbing multiple levels of stairs, climbing ladders over 50 feet in height, entering and exiting equipment cabs, traversing uneven or elevated surfaces, and working inside confined spaces. The role routinely requires lifting up to 50 pounds and performing tasks from elevated platforms or walkways.
Work may be performed in conditions involving dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise levels, and extreme temperatures near operating equipment. Outdoor tasks in all weather conditions are required, including in high-heat environments adjacent to biomass processing systems.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory and may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), respirators, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions are enforced in and around the facility to ensure plant safety and environmental compliance.
Fitness for Duty
All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.
Work Schedule
The IC&E Technician works a standard Monday to Friday day-shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.
Compensation
This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $32 to $39 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.
IC& E Qualifications and Technical Competencies
- Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control, Electronics Technology, Industrial Electrical Technology, Plant Technology, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent technical training or relevant industrial or military experience may be considered.
- Previous experience in power generation, biomass, manufacturing, or another heavy industrial environment involving instrumentation, controls, electrical maintenance, and plant equipment.
- Working knowledge of electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers, motors, transformers, batteries, chargers, inverters, variable speed drives, and generator excitation equipment.
- Hands-on experience installing, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting instrumentation such as transmitters, analyzers, control valves, temperature and pressure devices, and related field equipment.
- Familiarity with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler and combustion controls, turbine controls, burner management systems, CEMS, and other plant automation systems.
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, logic diagrams, technical drawings, equipment manuals, and OEM documentation.
- Demonstrated troubleshooting ability to identify instrumentation, electrical, and control-system problems, determine probable causes, and support corrective actions.
- Experience using CMMS or similar maintenance systems to document work orders, equipment history, maintenance activities, and calibration records.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, and vendors.
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.
About NAES
NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.
NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Experience
- Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control, Electronics Technology, Industrial Electrical Technology, Plant Technology, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent technical training or relevant industrial or military experience may be considered.
- Previous experience in power generation, biomass, manufacturing, or another heavy industrial environment involving instrumentation, controls, electrical maintenance, and plant equipment.
- Working knowledge of electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers, motors, transformers, batteries, chargers, inverters, variable speed drives, and generator excitation equipment.
- Hands-on experience installing, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting instrumentation such as transmitters, analyzers, control valves, temperature and pressure devices, and related field equipment.
- Familiarity with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler and combustion controls, turbine controls, burner management systems, CEMS, and other plant automation systems.
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, logic diagrams, technical drawings, equipment manuals, and OEM documentation.
- Demonstrated troubleshooting ability to identify instrumentation, electrical, and control-system problems, determine probable causes, and support corrective actions.
- Experience using CMMS or similar maintenance systems to document work orders, equipment history, maintenance activities, and calibration records.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, and vendors.
Education
- Technical/other training or better in Electronics Engineering Technology or related field preferred.
Licenses & Certifications
- Driver's License required.
Skills
- High Voltage
- Controls
- Electrical Safety and Hazard Awareness
- Electrical Systems and Equipment
- Instrumentation Systems and Devices
- Piping & Instrumentation Schematics - Read & Interp
- P&ID - Piping & Instrumentation Design
- Power Plant Fundamentals
- Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
- Biomass Energy Systems
- IC&E - Instrumentation, Controls & Electrical
- PLC - Programmable Logic Controller
- DCS - Distributed Control System
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Electrical Controls Engineer Job Roles in Virginia
See all 161+ Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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Search Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in VirginiaElectrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for electrical controls engineers in Virginia?
Defense and technology contractors are the most active sponsors for electrical controls engineers in Virginia. Northrop Grumman, Leidos, BAE Systems, and General Dynamics have filed H-1B visa Labor Condition Applications for controls and systems engineering roles in the state. Siemens and Rockwell Automation also have Virginia operations with documented sponsorship history. Larger defense-adjacent manufacturers generally have dedicated HR and immigration infrastructure that supports the sponsorship process.
Which visa types are most common for electrical controls engineer roles in Virginia?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for electrical controls engineers in Virginia, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in electrical or controls engineering. Candidates with Canadian or Mexican citizenship may qualify for TN visa status under the USMCA engineer category. Those with an advanced degree and exceptional research or project contributions may also explore the O-1A or EB-1 categories.
How to find electrical controls engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship willingness, so you can browse electrical controls engineer roles in Virginia without sifting through positions that won't support international candidates. Search by state and role on Migrate Mate to surface active openings from Virginia-based employers in defense contracting, industrial automation, and data infrastructure sectors, which are the most active hiring areas for this specialization in the state.
Which cities in Virginia have the most electrical controls engineer sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly the Fairfax County and Arlington corridor, concentrates the highest volume of sponsorship-eligible engineering roles due to its dense cluster of defense contractors and federal technology firms. Richmond has a growing manufacturing and industrial automation presence. Hampton Roads, home to major naval installations and their contractor ecosystems, is another consistent source of electrical controls engineering openings with documented sponsorship activity.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for electrical controls engineers seeking sponsorship?
Many electrical controls engineer roles tied to Virginia's defense sector require security clearances, which are only available to U.S. citizens and cannot be held by visa holders. This makes clearance-required positions inaccessible, but a meaningful share of Virginia's controls engineering openings, particularly in commercial automation, data centers, and unclassified manufacturing, do not carry clearance requirements and remain accessible to sponsored candidates. The state's university pipeline from Virginia Tech and George Mason also shapes local employer expectations around engineering credentials.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored electrical controls engineer jobs in Virginia?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.