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Associate Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Instant Systems Inc

Associate Engineer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

Associate Engineer (AE). The AE will apply engineering principles to acquire, implement, design and develop in order to drive innovation and manufacturability to fulfill client needs as well as the ...

Instant Systems Inc

Associate Engineer

Norfolk, VA

Associate Engineer (AE). The AE will apply engineering principles to acquire, implement, design and develop in order to drive innovation and manufacturability to fulfill client needs as well as the ...

Instant Systems Inc

Associate Engineer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

Description Associate Engineer (AE). The AE will apply engineering principles to acquire, implement, design and develop in order to drive innovation and manufacturability to fulfill client needs as ...

Via Logic LLC

Associate Engineer Drafter

Reston, VA · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for an Engineer Drafter in Reston, Virginia. In this role, you will create and modify detailed part, assembly, installation, and facility engineering drawings using ...

New

Leidos

Associate Engineer Drafter

Reston, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for an Engineer Drafter in Reston, Virginia. In this role, you will create and modify detailed part, assembly, installation, and facility engineering drawings using ...

LinkedIn

Associate Engineer, Data Center

Manassas, VA · On-site

$74K - $122K/yr

The Associate Data Center Hardware Engineer is a hands-on technical role focused on ensuring the reliability and performance of LinkedIn's global infrastructure. This position is responsible for ...

LinkedIn

Associate Engineer, Data Center

Manassas, VA

$74K - $122K/yr

The Associate Data Center Hardware Engineer is a hands-on technical role focused on ensuring the reliability and performance of LinkedIn's global infrastructure. This position is responsible for ...

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All JobsAssociate Engineer JobsAssociate Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Associate Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$41.1K

$81.9K

$130.9K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Virginia is $81,927.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,900.00 and $94,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate engineer?

Associate Engineers are entry-level engineering professionals who support more experienced engineers in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining various projects in their field. They typically work under supervision and assist with tasks such as drafting technical documents, conducting research, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Associate Engineers often gain practical experience and training to advance to higher-level engineering roles as they develop their skills.

What are some typical challenges associate engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to industry roles?

Associate Engineers often find the transition from academic projects to industry roles challenging due to differences in project scope, teamwork dynamics, and pace. In industry, you’ll likely work on larger, multi-disciplinary teams where effective communication and collaboration are crucial. Additionally, projects often have stricter deadlines and require adherence to established processes and standards, which may be less emphasized in academic settings. Embracing continuous learning and seeking mentorship from senior engineers can help ease this transition and set you up for success.

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

To thrive as an Associate Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, industry-specific tools, and basic project management systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate technical solutions and contributing effectively to engineering projects.

What is the difference between Associate Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAssociate EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry-level certificationsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; professional licensure (optional)
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and support roles in engineering teams; often in office or lab settingsDesign, analysis, and manufacturing in industrial or construction settings
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position across various industries like manufacturing, construction, and techDesign and development roles primarily in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors

The main difference between an Associate Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in experience and responsibilities. Associate Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on supporting engineering tasks, while Mechanical Engineers have more experience and handle complex design and analysis responsibilities. Both roles require a bachelor's degree, but Mechanical Engineers often pursue licensure for advanced roles. The choice depends on your experience level and career goals within engineering fields.

How much does an associate engineer get paid?

An associate engineer's average salary typically ranges from $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on industry, location, and experience. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher wages. Salaries often increase with experience and additional responsibilities.

What can I do with an associate engineer's degree in engineering?

An associate engineer's degree prepares individuals for entry-level engineering roles such as technician, assistant engineer, or project support staff. These positions often involve tasks like drafting, testing, data analysis, and using tools like CAD software, with opportunities for on-the-job training and certification to advance in engineering fields.

What is the salary of an associate engineer?

The salary of an associate engineer typically ranges from $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on factors such as industry, location, and experience. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced associates or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages.
More about Associate Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Associate Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Associate Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Engineer jobs in VA?

For Associate Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Associate Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,927 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Associate Engineer, Production

Venturegloballng

Arlington, VA

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Venture Global LNG ("Venture Global") is a long-term, low-cost provider of American-produced liquefied natural gas. The company's Louisiana-based export projects service the global demand for North American natural gas and support the long-term development of clean and reliable North American energy supplies. Using reliable, proven technology in an innovative plant design configuration, Venture Global's modular, mid-scale plant design will replace traditional designs as it allows for the same efficiency and operational reliability at significantly lower capital cost.

We are seeking qualified applicants for the position:

Associate Engineer, Production

Located:

Arlington

Summary

We are seeking a Associate Engineer, Production to join our team in our Arlington, VA office.

The Associate Engineer, Production will report to the Principal Production Engineer and will be supporting production engineering, process engineering and operations across all our facilities.

This role will be part of the production engineering team responsible for ensuring the plant operations remain program compliant and that the production volumes are delivered in a safe and reliable manner.This is a fast-paced environment requiring drive, enthusiasm, willingness to learn and grow rapidly.

This position focuses on process modeling and simulation to understand plant performance, optimize production, and support day-to-day application of plant models. The successful candidate will work alongside experienced engineers and cross functional teams contributing to real-time operational decisions and support long-term/high impact decision making.

General Description Duties & Responsibilities

Candidate will develop a deep understanding of the Venture Global LNG process and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

  • Creating/validating steady-state and dynamic process models of the LNG process units using industry standard tools (e.g., Aspen HYSYS)
  • Using appropriate methodologies such data driven, physics-based and data analytics models depending on the objectives
  • Engaging with stakeholders (engineering, IT, operations) and building positive relationships
  • Analyze plant data and model outputs to identify optimization opportunities and troubleshoot operational issues
  • Assist in evaluating the impact of process changes, debottlenecking studies and efficiency improvements
  • Innovating and driving continuous improvement
  • Travel to all our Louisiana LNG Facilities as needed

Qualifications

Required experience

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering
  • 1-4 years of experience working as an Engineer in a process plant environment; however, Engineering graduates with a demonstrable passion to pursue a career in this discipline would also be considered
  • Must possess deep interest in physics-based engineering modeling, data analytics and data science/machine learning methodologies
  • Understands where each of the above approaches fit, i.e. strengths and weaknesses and applicability
  • Experience with statistical analysis methods/tools
  • Strong analytical and mathematical skills
  • Must be able to present results/visualizations clearly for decision making
  • Previous experience workingas an engineerina process plant environmentwould be a plus
  • Internship experience in the oil and gas industry preferred
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office 365 Application Suite, process modeling tools such as Unisim/Aspen HYSYS
  • Some basic programming skills is a plus (C++, Python etc.)
  • High level of energy and motivation to excel within the organization
  • Goes above and beyond and takes initiative

Salary Range

$85,000 - $100,000

Venture Global LNG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

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