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Associate Electrical Engineering Jobs in Washington, DC

ARA

Senior Electrical Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$123K - $161K/yr

ARA is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to support the design, integration, and controls ... Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company ...

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All JobsAssociate Electrical Engineering JobsAssociate Electrical Engineering Jobs in Washington, DC

Associate Electrical Engineering information

See Washington, DC salary details

$57.2K

$125.8K

$190.3K

How much do associate electrical engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate electrical engineering in Washington, DC is $125,821.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,000.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can you do with an associate electrical engineering degree?

An associate electrical engineering degree prepares individuals for technician and support roles in electrical systems, power distribution, and electronics. Graduates can work as electrical technicians, engineering assistants, or in maintenance and testing, often using tools like oscilloscopes and CAD software. Additional certifications may enhance job prospects in specialized areas.

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

To thrive as an Associate Electrical Engineer, you need a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, circuit design, and problem-solving skills, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, and simulation tools, as well as knowledge of relevant codes and standards, is commonly required. Strong teamwork, effective communication, and attention to detail help individuals excel in collaborative project environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering reliable engineering solutions, ensuring safety, and meeting project objectives efficiently.

What types of projects can an associate electrical engineer expect to work on in their first year?

As an Associate Electrical Engineer, you can expect to work on a variety of projects ranging from assisting in the design and testing of electrical systems to supporting senior engineers with drafting plans and preparing documentation. Early in your role, you'll likely participate in site visits, help troubleshoot issues, and contribute to team meetings focused on project progress. This hands-on experience not only develops your technical skills but also introduces you to industry standards and collaborative workflows, laying the foundation for future advancement.

What is an associate electrical engineer?

Associate Electrical Engineers are early-career professionals who assist in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of electrical systems and components. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers and are responsible for tasks such as drafting schematics, conducting tests, troubleshooting issues, and preparing reports. This role often serves as a stepping stone for gaining experience and advancing to more senior engineering positions.

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

AspectAssociate Electrical EngineeringElectrical Engineer
QualificationsAssociate's degree or equivalent; some certificationsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; professional licensure often preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level roles, supporting engineering teams, labs, or manufacturingDesign, develop, and oversee electrical systems; more independent responsibilities
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with projects, testing, and documentationDesigning circuits, analyzing systems, project management

The main difference between Associate Electrical Engineering and Electrical Engineer lies in education, experience, and responsibilities. An associate typically supports engineering tasks and has an entry-level role, while an electrical engineer holds a bachelor's degree and takes on more complex design and analysis responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Engineering jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Electrical Engineering jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Electrical Engineering jobs in Washington, DC? For Associate Electrical Engineering jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Electrical Engineering jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Electrical Engineering jobs in Washington, DC are:
Associate Electrical Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Electrical Engineering job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,821 per year, or $60.5 per hour.

Senior Electrical Engineer

Berriehill Research

Arlington, VA

$123K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

ARA is seeking a Senior 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.
  • 8+ 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.
  • 6-8 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.

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