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Associate Electrical Engineer Jobs in Wheaton, MD

ARA is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to support the design, integration, and controls ... C ompany & Division Information Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned ...

New

Associate's or bachelor's degree in engineering or a relevant field (recent graduates with relevant ... Demonstrated experience developing electrical, lighting, telecommunication, and fire alarm plans ...

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Showing results 21-40

Associate Electrical Engineer information

See Wheaton, MD salary details

$43K

$91.8K

$151.4K

How much do associate electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate electrical engineer in Wheaton, MD is $91,798.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $110,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an associate electrical engineer do?

An Associate Electrical Engineer assists in designing, developing, and testing electrical systems and components, often working under the supervision of senior engineers. Their responsibilities may include creating technical drawings, performing calculations, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring projects meet safety standards and regulations. They often work on projects related to power generation, electronics, telecommunications, or building electrical systems. This entry-level role is ideal for recent graduates or those with limited experience, providing a foundation for career advancement in electrical engineering.

What are common projects and responsibilities for an associate electrical engineer during the first year?

As an Associate Electrical Engineer, you can expect to work on tasks such as drafting electrical schematics, assisting with circuit design, supporting senior engineers in troubleshooting, and performing site visits to ensure compliance with specifications. Early projects often involve collaborating with cross-functional teams, such as mechanical engineers and project managers, to help deliver solutions on time and within budget. You'll likely use industry-standard software tools and participate in regular team meetings to discuss progress and address challenges. Over time, you will gain increasing responsibility as you demonstrate your technical skills and reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate electrical engineer?

To thrive as an Associate Electrical Engineer, you need a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, a relevant bachelor's degree, and foundational experience with circuit design and analysis. Familiarity with industry-standard CAD software (such as AutoCAD or MATLAB), electrical simulation tools, and occasionally an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification are commonly expected. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively on complex projects and convey technical information clearly. These abilities are crucial for ensuring accurate designs, meeting project deadlines, and contributing positively to multidisciplinary engineering teams.

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

AspectAssociate Electrical EngineerElectrical Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; some roles may require internshipsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering; often requires licensure or certification for advanced roles
Work EnvironmentEntry-level positions in design, testing, or maintenance within engineering firms, manufacturing, or utilitiesDesign, development, testing, and project management in similar industries, often with more responsibility
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in engineering firms, construction, and utilities; often a starting roleUsed across industries for more experienced roles, often requiring additional certifications

The main difference between an Associate Electrical Engineer and an Electrical Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. The Associate role is typically entry-level, focusing on supporting engineering tasks, while the Electrical Engineer usually has more experience and handles complex projects. Both roles require a bachelor's degree, but the Electrical Engineer may need licensure for advanced responsibilities.

How much do associate electrical engineers make?

Associate electrical engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $85,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher wages.

What can you do with an associate electrical engineer degree?

An associate electrical engineer degree prepares individuals for entry-level roles such as electrical technician, engineering assistant, or field service technician. Graduates can work on designing, testing, and maintaining electrical systems, often using tools like CAD software and following safety standards. Additional certifications may enhance job prospects and responsibilities.

What cities near Wheaton, MD are hiring for Associate Electrical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Wheaton, MD with the most Associate Electrical Engineer job openings:

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

ARA is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to support the design, integration, and controls development for large-scale industrial machinery and equipment on advanced manufacturing and defense-related programs. This role bridges electrical engineering, controls integration, and — on select programs — small-scale electronics design in support of unmanned systems (UxS) hardware.

The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between large equipment-level electrical/controls work and PCB and wire harness design, and is capable of owning electrical scope from concept through commissioning on programs supporting federal defense customers.

This position is located out of our Arlington, VA office, and will require up to two trips a month to our Government client’s site in Indian Head, Maryland. This is an on-site position (Hybrid eligible after 6 months). The range for this position is between $105K - $123K.   

Key Responsibilities

  • Design electrical systems for large industrial machinery and process equipment, including power distribution and equipment-level control architecture.
  • Develop and integrate controls for automated and semi-automated equipment (PLC/HMI programming, control panel design, interlocks, and safety circuits).
  • Produce wiring diagrams, schematics, and electrical design packages for equipment integration projects.
  • Support smaller-scale electronics scope, including PCB design and layout for specialized subsystems.
  • Design wire harnesses for unmanned systems (UxS) and drone-related hardware, including connector selection, routing, and documentation.
  • Coordinate with mechanical, process, and program engineering teams to ensure electrical designs integrate cleanly with overall system/facility design.
  • Support vendor coordination, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and commissioning activities for integrated equipment.
  • Prepare technical documentation, design packages, and deliverables in accordance with program and customer requirements.
  • Support proposal efforts with technical input, level-of-effort estimates, and design approach narratives as needed.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related.
  • 5+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience, with demonstrated work on industrial equipment integration and controls.
  • Hands-on experience with wiring diagram development, electrical schematics, and control panel design.
  • Experience with Allen Bradley PLC/controls programming and equipment automation.
  • Ability to work onsite and support hardware integration, testing, and commissioning activities.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Masters' degree in Electrical Engineering or related with 3-5 years of relevant experience.
  • PhD in Electrical Engineering or related with 0-2 years of relevant experience.
  • Experience with PCB design and layout for specialized or low-volume electronics.
  • Experience with wire harness design for unmanned systems, robotics, or drone platforms.
  • Familiarity with hazardous area/intrinsically safe electrical design.
  • Prior experience supporting DoD or federal defense manufacturing programs.
  • Experience working within an A&E (architecture & engineering) or multidisciplinary integrated design team.

Company & Division Information

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,240 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging and innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about who we are, what we do, the excellent careers and benefits we offer and explore some of our featured offices.