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Assistant Design Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

M.C. Dean, Inc

Design Engineer Associate

VA · On-site

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful ... Uses 2D CAD/BIM skills * Assist on the development of Method of Procedures (MOP), and Sequence of ...

M.C. Dean, Inc

Design Engineer Staff

Tysons, VA · On-site

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 ...

M.C. Dean, Inc

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 ...

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All JobsAssistant Design Engineer JobsAssistant Design Engineer Jobs in Washington

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 Jun 27, 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 engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High-level roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes professional certifications or advanced degrees.

What is a design assistant's salary?

A design assistant's salary typically ranges from $45,000 to $65,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages. Salaries often include benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.

Is 40 too late to be an engineer?

Assistant Design Engineers can enter the field at any age, as engineering careers often value skills, experience, and continuous learning over age. Many professionals start or transition into engineering later in life, especially if they pursue relevant education, certifications, and develop technical skills such as CAD or project management. Age should not be a barrier to pursuing an engineering role if you have the necessary qualifications and motivation.

What is the role of assistant design engineer?

An assistant design engineer supports the design and development of engineering projects by preparing technical drawings, conducting research, and assisting senior engineers. They often use CAD software and need a background in engineering principles, with roles typically requiring attention to detail and teamwork. The position serves as a stepping stone for further engineering responsibilities.

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 are popular job titles related to Assistant Design Engineer jobs in Washington? For Assistant Design Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles 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:
Assistant Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Design Engineer job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,523 per year, or $48.3 per hour.
Design Engineer Associate

Design Engineer Associate

M.C. Dean, Inc

VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

M.C. Dean rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

209th of 356 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.
In this role, as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for developing, integrating, and developing project engineering deliverables. These documents include drawings, specifications, product selection, installation sequence planning, and commissioning testing/commissioning scripts.
Responsibilities
Design Engineer, Associate
Essential responsibilities and activities include but are not limited to:
  • Uses the electrical engineering web site to access department guides and standards
  • Assist other engineers in producing conceptual design to construction documents from utilization voltage to low voltage including, detailed equipment layout, single and three-line diagrams, grounding, and feeder routing.
  • Prepares and reviews simple electrical sketches, specifications and data sheets
  • Performs simple routine electrical calculations
  • Assists in design reviews and checks
  • Assist in the development of specifications and installation details of construction materials and equipment.
  • Uses 2D CAD/BIM skills
  • Assist on the development of Method of Procedures (MOP), and Sequence of Operations (SOP) to support construction execution effort
  • Interprets mechanical, special and other miscellaneous equipment schedules and logic narratives
  • Ability to accurately estimate completion percentage of assigned tasks.

Qualifications
  • 0+ years of experience in engineering with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering
  • Capable of performing calculations for required short circuit and overcurrent protective device ratings.
  • Medium voltage design experience, including working knowledge of relays protection schemes.
  • Ability to understand PLC and ladder logic and write control sequences.
  • Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
  • Certified in Power Quality (CPQ)
  • Lighting Certified (LC)
  • Certified Lighting & Efficiency Professional (CLEP)
  • Design Build Institute of America (DBIA)
  • INCOSE Certification
  • AutoCAD Inventor Experience Programs
  • MS Office Suite of products
  • SharePoint Calculation Software - AGI32, ETAP, SKM AutoCAD Revit
  • Engineering Document Management System (EDMS)
  • Infrastructure Maintenance Management System (IMMS)
  • Bluebeam

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.

What M.C. Dean employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

M.C. Dean logo

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

Social media

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