Senior Instrumentation & Controls Technician

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 33,600 - 36,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days paid time off

Health plan options

Retirement through Virginia Retirement System

Tuition and professional development benefits

Employee wellness program

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Charlottesville, VA is seeking a Senior Instrumentation & Controls Technician. This role involves advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics for control systems, managing building automation infrastructure, and mentoring junior technicians. Candidates should have four years of relevant experience, a high school diploma, and ideally a recognized controls certification. The position offers a competitive hourly wage between $33.00 and $36.00, along with a sign-on bonus and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience troubleshooting, installing, repairing, and maintaining electronic control systems.
• Possess recognized controls industry certification or related trade licensure.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced electrical troubleshooting, diagnostics, and programming support for BAS.
• Communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders.
• Manage electronic and related equipment including ordering, stocking, and replacement.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

BAS programming support

Troubleshooting BAS networks

Technical support and training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

BAS systems

HVAC systems

Control systems certification

Job description

The University of Virginia is seeking a Senior Instrumentation & Controls Technician for Facilities Management. Facilities Management (FM) supports the University of Virginia's wide range of research, academic, and patient care programs. With over 1,200 employees dedicated to excellence, Facilities Management is responsible for the day-to-day operation, repair, and maintenance of UVA's buildings, infrastructure, and grounds, in addition to managing capital construction and renovation for university-owned and leased properties.

The Service Team within FM's Automation Services department provides preventative maintenance, responsive controls services, and customer support for building automation infrastructure across the University grounds. The team also provides service and maintenance for 24/7 temperature monitoring of lab and medical-grade cold storage units (e.g., ultra-low temperature freezers, refrigerators, and cold rooms).

Senior Technicians handle advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics for mechanical, infrastructure, and energy systems. They install and oversee electrical, electronic, and mechanical components in commercial or industrial settings. Skilled in problem-solving and configuring control systems, they have significant experience and relevant certifications. Working independently or with a team, they mentor junior technicians and may step in for supervisors when needed. Their work ensures safe, efficient, and compliant environments across the University, sometimes in high-risk settings.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced electrical troubleshooting, diagnostics, and programming support for BAS logic and graphical interfaces, ensuring proper functionality and system performance.
• Troubleshoot BAS networks, including IP-based controllers, BACnet, Modbus, and LonWorks.
• Review, evaluate, and install complex electronic and electro-mechanical equipment.
• Perform functional testing, verification, and calibration of BAS infrastructure.
• Provide technical support and training to lower-level technicians.
• Conduct inspections, maintain logs, and report areas of concern.
• Communicate effectively with Automation Services team members, FM personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Manage electronic and related equipment, including ordering, stocking, removal, and replacement.
• Participate in on-call rotation as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Four years of experience troubleshooting, installing, repairing, and maintaining electronic control systems.
• Licensure: Possess any of the following: a recognized controls industry certification, successful completion of two or more controls vendor development courses, or relevant trade licensure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with Johnson Controls Metasys or Automated Logic WebCTRL systems.
• Direct experience with commercial or industrial HVAC systems.

Compensation

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $33.00 - $36.00 per hour ($68,640 - $74,880 per year), commensurate with relevant experience and skills. New hires to the University are eligible for a $2,500 sign‑on bonus.

Employees will pass a background check and comply with the University's vaccine policies.

Physical Demands

The employee will be required to crawl, kneel, squat, bend, twist, and travel around job sites. They must lift various weights, climb ladders and stairs, and work with materials of different weights. The use of both hands and repetitive motions will be necessary to complete their duties.

Benefits

Employees benefits package highlights include:

• 22 days of paid time off, increasing with service; 15+ paid holidays each year, in addition to paid time off; Parental and Community Service Leave.
• Health plan with options to meet healthcare and financial needs.
• Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Tuition and professional development benefits.
• Employee wellness program featuring activities to earn up to $500/year.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.