Associate Field Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc.•Richmond, VA

9d•$70,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

Wunderlich-Malec's Richmond, Virginia engineering team is seeking a travel-ready, entry-level Field Engineer or Technician for hands-on technical work and professional development. This field-based role supports commissioning and start-up activities for projects across industries including data centers, semiconductors, life science, food and beverage, and other industrial facilities. Work includes electrical and controls engineering support, electrical and instrumentation verification, coordination with clients and electrical subcontractors, and PLC/SCADA/HMI support. The role provides direct ownership of installation verification, control system testing, commissioning support, and start-up activities. Assignments may last multiple months at U.S.-based project sites, with travel of up to 100% potentially required. Work is typically Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend work based on project needs. Project housing, airfare, meals, and incidentals are covered in accordance with company policy. The position is primarily field-based at client sites, with occasional office or construction-trailer work. It offers structured training and mentorship from senior field engineers across progressively challenging Level 2 through Level 5 commissioning assignments. Advancement is based on demonstrated proficiency, ownership, technical judgment, and field performance. The position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization, including H-1B sponsorship, and the company does not participate in the STEM OPT training program for this role.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Computer, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering preferred; an associate degree in Engineering Technology or equivalent field technician experience may be substituted.
New graduate or 0–2 years of field experience.
Understanding of or exposure to field instrumentation, hardware panels, and low-voltage controls design.
Understanding of control systems, components, PLC programming, SCADA programming, and their applications.
Strong attention to detail and consistent focus on quality control, particularly during repetitive commissioning activities.
Ability to travel to project sites, potentially up to 100%.
Ability to work safely and effectively in indoor and outdoor environments, including construction, industrial, and processing facilities.
Ability to stand, move, and work on job sites for up to 8–12 hour shifts; climb stairs and ladders; work at heights; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.
Ability to safely wear required PPE, including safety glasses, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, and electrical safety gear as applicable.
Ability to perform electrical/instrumentation checkout and troubleshooting, such as voltage testing and control panel wiring.
Ability to perform duties involving communication, teamwork, manual dexterity, driving, lifting, climbing, mounting and dismounting equipment, pushing, and pulling.
Ability to coordinate and interact regularly with customers, subcontractors, vendors, and internal project teams.

Responsibilities

Verify that control panels, field devices, instruments, and related control system equipment are installed and wired according to manufacturer requirements, approved shop drawings, project documentation, quality standards, and specifications.
Perform point-to-point testing to confirm field devices are installed, wired, addressed, and configured according to approved drawings and documentation, including verification of signals and network-integrated data.
Conduct functional performance testing to verify that the control system and field devices operate according to project design documentation, including control sequences, alarms, trends, graphics, and failure scenarios.
Support system-level testing to verify integrated operation of control systems and field devices, including control sequences across related systems, SCADA navigation, alarm activation, trend monitoring, and failure-mode testing.
Provide electrical and controls engineering support, including electrical and instrumentation verification and PLC/SCADA/HMI support.
Coordinate with clients, electrical subcontractors, vendors, and internal project teams.
Support commissioning execution and start-up activities at project sites.
As competency grows, lead point-to-point testing campaigns, own functional performance testing, act as a technical contact during system-level testing, and direct commissioning activities for project areas.
Follow applicable safety specifications and standards and maintain attention to quality control during commissioning work.
Use computers, standard office applications, and a mobile phone for documentation, communication, and project support.

Benefits

Project housing, airfare, meals, and incidentals for project travel, in accordance with company policy.
Full company benefits and structured training and mentorship.
Three weeks of paid time off.
Discretionary bonus and employee stock program.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic and supplemental life and AD&D insurance.
Long-term disability and voluntary short-term disability.
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts and health savings account.
Paid holidays.
Tuition reimbursement.
Referral bonus program.
401(k) and profit sharing.
100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).
Employee Assistance Program.
Will preparation resources.
Worldwide travel assistance.