Associate Field Engineer

About the Role

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is seeking a travel-ready, entry-level Field Engineer or Technician for its Fredericksburg, VA team. This role provides hands-on technical experience with direct exposure to systems, customers, schedules, and real-time decision-making, accelerating the development of technical expertise and project execution skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Electrical and controls engineering support
• Electrical and instrumentation verification
• Coordination with clients and electrical subcontractors
• PLC/SCADA/HMI support
• Commissioning execution
• Start-up assistance

Major Responsibilities

• Installation & Wiring QA/QC Verification (Level 2 Commissioning): Verify installation and wiring of control panels, field devices, instruments, and related control system equipment against manufacturer requirements, approved shop drawings, project documentation, and applicable quality standards/specifications.
• Point-to-Point Testing (Level 3 Commissioning): Confirm field devices associated with the control system are installed, wired, addressed, and configured per approved system drawings and documentation. This includes verifying data to and from field devices, including signals through network integration.
• Functional Performance Testing (FPT) (Level 4 Commissioning): Verify control system and field device operation as defined by project design documentation. This includes testing control sequences, alarm and alert configuration, alarm activation, trend displays, trend configuration, system graphics, and control system response during failure scenarios.
• System-Level Testing Support (Level 5 Commissioning): Support system-level testing to confirm control system and field devices operate as an integrated system. This includes verifying control sequences across related systems, using the facility’s SCADA system, activating alarms, monitoring trends, and supporting failure-mode testing.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Attention to all applicable safety specifications and standards
• Strong attention to detail and a consistent focus on quality control
• 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
• Ability to stand, move, and work on job sites for up to 8-12 hour shifts
• Ability to climb stairs/ladders, work at heights, and occasionally lift up to 40 lbs
• Frequent bending, reaching, and working in and around industrial equipment
• Exposure to construction, industrial, and processing environments, including noise, temperature changes, and moving machinery
• Ability to safely wear required PPE (safety glasses, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, and electrical safety gear as applicable)
• Comfortable performing electrical/instrumentation checkout and troubleshooting (e.g., voltage testing, control panel wiring)
• Periods of sitting/standing at a computer, including in on-site construction trailers
• Standard office/PC and cell phone use for documentation, communication, and project support
• Ability to work safely and effectively in both indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to extreme temperatures, weather conditions, humidity, dust, and other environmental conditions.
• Regular interaction and coordination with customers, subcontractors, vendors, and internal project teams
• Daily use of a computer, standard office applications, and a mobile phone

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Computer, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• An AA in Engineering Technology or equivalent field technician experience may be substituted.

Working/Residence Plan

• Up to 100% travel to project sites may be required.
• Work is typically performed Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend work.
• Assignments may last multiple months at various U.S.-based project sites.
• Weekend travel may be available up to two times per month, subject to project schedule requirements and approval.
• Project housing, airfare, meals, and incidentals are covered by the company.
• This position includes full company benefits, structured training, mentorship, and three weeks of paid time off.

Career Growth & Advancement

• This role is designed for ambitious, goal-oriented self-starters who want to accelerate their technical and leadership development.
• High performers may move into lead field roles ahead of the typical timeline.
• Advancement is based on demonstrated proficiency, ownership, technical judgment, and field performance.
• Paths include: Associate Field Engineer → Staff Field Engineer → Senior Field Engineer, QA/QC Manager, Controls Project Engineer, Commissioning Lead, Project Manager.