Exterior Electrician III at MWAA in Reagan National Airport

Exterior Electrician III

Location: Reagan National Airport

Compensation Grade:

T21

Salary Range:

$40.08-$52.10

Opening Date:

September 4, 2026

Closing Date:

September 19, 2026

Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

As an Exterior Electrician III, you serve as the senior technical resource for the installation, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and restoration of airport exterior electrical systems. You provide technical leadership during routine operations and emergency incidents, coordinate electrical restoration activities, and exercise delegated authority to maintain or restore critical airport electrical systems until relieved by a Leader or Supervisor.

This is an advanced journey-level position.

Serves in the Electrical Division of the Airport Maintenance Department at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Performs advanced troubleshooting, maintenance, testing, repair, installation, and restoration of medium-voltage electrical distribution systems, low-voltage distribution systems, airfield lighting systems, standby generators, electrical controls, and other airport electrical infrastructure supporting safe and continuous airport operations. Performs related functions.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Responds to trouble calls involving airfield lighting systems, navigational aids, traffic signal systems, roadway lighting, exterior lighting systems, and other airport electrical equipment.

Tests, repairs, replaces, and installs airfield lighting fixtures, airfield signs, airfield lighting transformers, medium voltage cables, electrical splices, and associated electrical distribution equipment.

Diagnoses and evaluates electrical problems, including determining the extent of repairs required, personnel and equipment needs, operational impacts, service priorities, and whether immediate corrective action is necessary to maintain safe and continuous airport operations.

Makes necessary repairs or adjustments or de-energizes electrical equipment and coordinates additional resources, as needed, to restore service during electrical outages, lighting failures, and other emergency situations.

Works on medium voltage electrical distribution systems, automatic transfer switches, uninterruptible power supplies, interior and exterior lighting systems, stationary and portable generators, motors, motor control centers, traffic signal systems, variable frequency drives, and associated electrical equipment.

Troubleshoots, performs preventive maintenance on, repairs, replaces, and installs electrical systems, lighting systems, and associated equipment.

Monitors electrical systems using supervisory control and monitoring systems and responds appropriately to system alarms and abnormal operating conditions.

Operates, maintains, troubleshoots, repairs, and replaces Human Machine Interface (HMI) hardware and associated components supporting airfield lighting control systems, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, standby generator systems, and other electrical control systems.

Maintains and records electrical meter readings and other operational data, as assigned.

Inspects electrical vaults, switchgear, regulators, relays, circuit boards, and associated electrical equipment; performs testing, maintenance, repair, and replacement as required.

Installs and maintains conduit, junction boxes, panelboards, control wiring, transient voltage surge suppression systems (TVSS), and other devices associated with airport electrical systems.

Performs electrical work in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), FAA requirements, Airports Authority Design Manual, and other applicable electrical codes, standards, and established safety procedures.

Ensures electrical work complies with applicable codes, standards, and inspection requirements.

Maintains, tests, and repairs lightning protection systems in accordance with applicable standards.

Programs, adjusts timing of, installs, maintains, and repairs traffic signal control systems and associated equipment.

Provides technical guidance to Exterior Electrician I and II employees during emergency response, complex troubleshooting, and restoration of electrical service.

Exercises delegated authority, within established guidelines, to take or direct actions necessary to maintain or restore electrical service until relieved by an Exterior Electrician Leader or Supervisor.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Five years of progressively responsible experience in the maintenance and repair of electrical equipment and systems.

Included in the five years of experience must be two years of specialized experience in the installation, testing, diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of medium voltage electrical equipment and systems supporting commercial, industrial, utility, or airport operations.

Minimum one year of journey-level experience as an Exterior Electrician II or equivalent with primary responsibility for emergency response, electrical system restoration, operational decision-making, and providing technical guidance to electricians during planned and emergency work activities.

Journey-level knowledge of medium voltage electrical distribution systems, airfield lighting systems, standby generators, switchgear, transformers, protective relays, electrical controls, and associated airport electrical infrastructure.

Skill in using electrical testing equipment, relay testing equipment, cable locating equipment, blueprints, one-line diagrams, electrical schematics, manufacturer's manuals, and other technical resources.

Ability to analyze electrical system failures, evaluate operational impacts, exercise sound technical judgment, and make timely decisions during emergency situations.

Knowledge of applicable safety rules, regulations, lockout/tagout procedures, NFPA 70E requirements, FAA standards, and National Electrical Code requirements necessary to safely perform and coordinate electrical work.

Ability to mentor and provide technical guidance to lower-level electricians.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in English to understand and communicate safety requirements and operational information while performing work in the Airport Operations Area (AOA).

Skill in using a computer, computerized work order system, and time and attendance system.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Licensed as a Master Electrician or have an Associates Degree in Engineering.

Certification in medium voltage cable splicing, terminating, and testing.

Certification or experience in maintenance and testing of medium voltage and 480V switchgear, breakers, and protective relays.

Experience operating, maintaining, and repairing airfield lighting systems, associated series circuits, constant current regulators, and airfield lighting control systems.

Class B Commercial Driver's License.

EDUCATION

High school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED

A state driver's license in good standing

Journeyman Electrical License (or higher)

Certification in medium voltage cable splicing, terminating, and testing within 12 months of hire, promotion, or placement in the job.

[DCA Only] Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within 90 days of hire, promotion, or placement into the job.

AOA Movement area driver qualification within 180 days of hire, promotion, or placement into the job.

NECESSARY SPECIAL FACTORS

Operates vehicles airside and landside; must maintain AOA permit.

Operates aerial lift trucks, scissor lifts, bucket trucks, and other specialized equipment used to maintain airport electrical infrastructure.

Work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion, including lifting objects weighing up to 80 pounds and working in confined spaces or at elevated heights.

Is subject to electrical shock hazards, hazardous materials, and noisy airfield environments. Wears personal protective equipment in accordance with NFPA 70E and established safety requirements.

Is subject to hold-over and recall on a 24-hour basis for essential services and emergency response, including snow removal operations.

Required to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during emergency events.

Work is reviewed for quality, technical accuracy, timeliness, operational effectiveness, teamwork, customer service, sound judgment, and compliance with applicable codes, standards, and safety requirements.

WHAT WE OFFER

A career with the Airports Authority comes with more than just a paycheck; it offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family’s health, financial security, and professional growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; well-being resources; health savings and flexible spending accounts; pension and retirement plans; and ongoing training and development opportunities. Discover more about our benefits package here.

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.| Follow us on Twitter @MWAAcareers.