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Assistant Design Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer Staff

Tysons, VA · On-site

$90K - $113K/yr

Development of Engineering Installation Design Packages including the creation of Block Diagrams ... Create Cable, Device, and Performance Verification Test Plans * Assist in the Bids and Proposals ...

Design Engineer - Physical Access Control/CCTV

Mclean, VA · On-site

$101K - $138K/yr

Design Engineer CRI is looking to hire a Design Engineer in the Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland area to assist with System Design, Request for Proposal Response, High Level System Experience and ...

Design Engineer 5 - Tysons, VA

Tysons, VA · On-site

$101K - $138K/yr

Seeking a Senior Design Engineer that is able to work with a dynamic team of engineers ... * Assist with development of sequence of operations, compliance matrices, and other project ...

Showing results 41-60

Assistant Design Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$37.4K

$100.5K

$152.3K

How much do assistant design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant design engineer in Washington is $100,523.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,800.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant design engineer do?

An Assistant Design Engineer supports senior engineers in creating and developing designs for products, structures, or systems. Their tasks often include preparing technical drawings, conducting research, creating prototypes, and assisting with testing and analysis. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create models and work closely with other team members to ensure designs meet project requirements and safety standards. This role is typically an entry-level position that provides valuable experience in engineering design and project management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Design Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with design tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA and knowledge of industry standards or certifications such as EIT (Engineer-in-Training) are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork and communication skills make candidates stand out in this role. These competencies are essential to ensure precise, innovative design solutions and effective collaboration within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What is the difference between Assistant Design Engineer vs Design Engineer?

AspectAssistant Design EngineerDesign Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some certificationsBachelor's or higher in engineering; often more experience
Work EnvironmentSupport role in design teams, assisting senior engineersLead or primary role in designing projects, overseeing technical details
ResponsibilitiesAssist in creating designs, preparing drawings, and conducting researchDevelop and finalize designs, review technical specifications, and coordinate with manufacturing

The main difference between an Assistant Design Engineer and a Design Engineer lies in responsibility level and experience. Assistant Design Engineers support the design process and gain experience, while Design Engineers take on more complex tasks and lead design projects. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Design Engineers typically have more hands-on experience and responsibility.

What are some common challenges assistant design engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to professional engineering environments?

Assistant Design Engineers often find that transitioning from academic projects to real-world engineering roles involves adapting to tighter deadlines, larger teams, and stricter compliance with industry standards. Unlike classroom assignments, professional projects require precise documentation, coordination with other departments such as manufacturing and quality assurance, and adherence to budget constraints. Embracing collaborative tools and clear communication is essential, as is being open to feedback from senior engineers to grow technically and professionally.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Design Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Design Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Assistant Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Assistant Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Assistant Design Engineer job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,523 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Design Engineer Staff

M.C. Dean, Inc

Tysons, VA • On-site

$90K - $113K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

289th of 443 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-agility, expertise, and trust-we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
Responsibilities
  • Development of Engineering Installation Design Packages including the creation of Block Diagrams, Riser Diagrams, Mounting and Wiring Details in AutoCAD
  • Create Project and Device schedules with the Engineering Installation Design Packages
  • Create Cable, Device, and Performance Verification Test Plans
  • Assist in the Bids and Proposals process to capture new work
  • Participate in site surveys during all phases of projects.
  • Participate in Pre-Installation Testing and Checkout (PITCO) processes including System programming, integration testing, and equipment build outs.
  • Assist various calculations; including but not limited to power, heat, voltage drop, conduit sizing and bandwidth.
  • Assist with development of sequence of operations, compliance matrices and other project support documentation.
  • Developing a basic understanding of related industry documentation such as NEC, NFPA, UL Code (294, 1076, and 2050), ICD 705, NISPOM.
  • Participate in new product evaluations and recommendations.
  • Contributing to engineering by suggesting improvement and researching questions.
  • This position will rotate through various areas of M.C. Dean to gain valuable exposure to the company's processes and procedures.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in a technical discipline (BS) such as Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering
  • Two (2)+ years of experience in engineering, with preferred experience in design build
  • Must have the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced collaborative environment
  • Ability to effectively communicate with various customers, vendors, and peers
  • Experience leading large scale designs
  • Ability to effectively work with AutoCAD

Abilities:
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person.

We offer an excellent benefits package including:
  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Pay Range
USD $90,640.00 - USD $113,300.00 /Yr.

What M.C. Dean employees say

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Benefits

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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