1

Associate Design Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

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 ...

Design Engineer, Associate

Tysons, VA · On-site

$65K - $104K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

This role is ideal for an engineer who's passionate about the technical design and integration of solar PV systems into high-performance buildings, campuses, and large-scale energy projects. Key ...

In this role, you will design, engineer, and support high-quality audiovisual and video ... High School Diploma with 6+ years of experience, or Associate's Degree with 4+ years, or Bachelor ...

In this role, you will design, engineer, and support high-quality audiovisual and video ... High School Diploma with 6+ years of experience, or Associate's Degree with 4+ years, or Bachelor ...

AV Design Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$82K - $108K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Audio-Visual Design Engineer to join our dynamic Audio ... CTS, Crestron DMC-E, Extron AV Associate, Biamp Tesira Forte * In depth experience in the analysis ...

AV Design Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$82K - $108K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Audio-Visual Design Engineer to join our dynamic Audio ... CTS, Crestron DMC-E, Extron AV Associate, Biamp Tesira Forte * In depth experience in the analysis ...

In this role, you will design, engineer, and support high-quality audiovisual and video ... High School Diploma with 6+ years of experience, or Associate's Degree with 4+ years, or Bachelor ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Associate Design Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$47K

$93.6K

$149.5K

How much do associate design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate design engineer in Washington, DC is $93,594.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,200.00 and $107,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectAssociate Design EngineerDesign Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some certificationsBachelor's or higher in engineering; often more experience or certifications
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects, supporting senior engineersLead or independent projects, more responsibility
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace industriesUsed across similar industries, often with more complex tasks

The Associate Design Engineer typically holds an entry-level position supporting design tasks, while the Design Engineer has more experience and responsibility in leading projects. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Design Engineer often has additional certifications and a broader scope of work.

Is 40 too late to be an engineer?

Associate Design Engineers and other engineering roles often value skills, experience, and continuous learning over age. Many engineers start or transition into the field later in life, and acquiring relevant certifications or degrees can help regardless of age. Age is generally not a barrier to entering engineering careers if the individual has the necessary skills and motivation.

What is an associate design engineer?

An associate design engineer is an entry-level engineering professional involved in designing products, systems, or components under the supervision of senior engineers. They typically use CAD software, have a foundational understanding of engineering principles, and may hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. This role often involves supporting design development, testing, and documentation tasks within engineering teams.

What are Associate Design Engineers?

Associate Design Engineers are entry-level professionals who assist in the development, planning, and creation of new products or systems. They work under the supervision of senior engineers, contributing to drafting designs, creating prototypes, and conducting tests to ensure functionality and quality. Their responsibilities often include preparing technical documentation, using CAD software, and collaborating with other departments to ensure design specifications are met. This role provides foundational experience for a career in engineering design.

What are some common challenges faced by Associate Design Engineers in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Associate Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to new design software, understanding project specifications, and effectively communicating with cross-functional teams. It's common to feel overwhelmed by the technical complexity of projects or the pace of deliverables. To overcome these hurdles, new engineers should take advantage of mentorship opportunities, actively seek feedback, and participate in collaborative meetings to build confidence and technical proficiency. Regularly reviewing documentation and engaging with more experienced colleagues can also help accelerate learning and integration into the team.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial or executive positions, or possessing rare technical expertise and certifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Design Engineer, you need a solid foundation in engineering principles, CAD design, and a relevant engineering degree such as mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard design software (such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Revit) and knowledge of relevant codes or certifications are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and attention to detail set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for creating accurate, efficient designs and collaborating effectively with teams to deliver successful engineering projects.

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 are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Design Engineer Associate

Design Engineer Associate

M.C. Dean, Inc

Tysons, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 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

210th 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, the Design Engineer 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
  • 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