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Associate Engineer Jobs in Fairfax, VA (NOW HIRING)

M.C. Dean, Inc

Associate Engineer 1

Tysons, VA · On-site

The Engineer provides system programming and management support for large scale networking infrastructures. The responsibilities include the administration and maintenance of high performance ...

M.C. Dean, Inc

Associate Engineer 1

Tysons, VA · On-site

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 ...

Maximus

Assoc SW Engineer - Java, Spring Boot, AWS

VA · On-site +1

$52 - $71.25/hr

In this role the Associate Engineer will work under the supervision of Technical Team lead or Senior Engineer. As a member of the team Associate Engineer will participate in all phases of the ...

Navstar

Associate AI Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

Associate AI Engineer Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), provider of cutting-edge cloud-based integration, automated testing and data analysis for complex, mission-critical systems in the US ...

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M.C. Dean, Inc

Design Engineer, Associate

Tysons, VA · On-site

Overview 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 ...

VTG

Associate Systems Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

Overview VTG is seeking an Associate Systems Engineer to support our Navy customer in Manassas, VA . This role is primarly on-site in a classified lab enviroment. This systems engineer will work to ...

asrcfh

Associate Test Engineer

Arlington, VA

ASRC Federal Highland Technology is seeking a Associate Test Engineer to support a government customer located in Arlington, VA. Job Responsibilities: * Performing functional, regression, unit and ...

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Associate Engineer information

See Fairfax, VA salary details

$42.4K

$84.5K

$134.9K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Fairfax, VA is $84,468.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $97,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is an Associate Engineer?

An associate engineer is a lower level engineer in many fields of engineering, including environmental, civil, and mechanical. The title denotes rank and experience level. As an associate engineer, your typical job duties involve analyzing project plans, designing products, maintaining equipment, closely following specifications and procedures, and writing reports. The specific duties vary widely depending upon your field and employer. This career usually requires at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering and obtaining a license in your state. Additional qualifications include relevant work experience, strong technical skills, and a familiarity with your specific industry.

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 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 Associate Engineers?

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 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.

More about Associate Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Fairfax, VA? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Fairfax, VA are:
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What job categories do people searching Associate Engineer jobs in Fairfax, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Engineer jobs in Fairfax, VA are:
What cities near Fairfax, VA are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs? Cities near Fairfax, VA with the most Associate Engineer job openings:
Associate Engineer jobs near you
Associate Engineer 1

Associate Engineer 1

M.C. Dean, Inc

Tysons, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

220th of 349 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.
The Engineer provides system programming and management support for large scale networking infrastructures. The responsibilities include the administration and maintenance of high performance computer configurations as well as other systems and peripherals' participating in system integration projects, system performance analyses, problem resolution, and system security initiatives; works with senior staff in the development of system management tools; and works with other Company Departments to provide a comprehensive support infrastructure for a wide range of commercial, corporate, and governmental users.
Responsibilities
  • Maintaining system documentation and maintenance records and generate weekly and/or monthly summary status reports.
  • Spending four (4) to six (6) hours per week staying current on industry trends and available products and services.
  • Performing staging and setup as needed for project support and for self-instruction.
  • Working closely with Systems Engineers to install and configure networks based on an Installation Design Package (IDP) that satisfy the customer's needs.
  • Researching equipment from a multitude of manufactures to resolve technical issues during installation and testing.
  • Working closely with Design Department to identify and correct design problems during the design cycle.
  • Suggesting process improvements and cost savings to aid Implementation Department for future installs.
  • Providing systems support for a large-scale, high performance computing center to include the installation and management of computer systems, workstations, operating systems, peripherals, and system interfaces; works with senior staff to monitor system usage and evaluate performance against defined performance goals; additional duties include the development and maintenance of systems documentation.
  • Provides designs for automation systems including a list of quantities and types of materials used. Provide user guideline documentations and manuals for user end custom programs and applications.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in System Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or related discipline from an accredited college or university is required with 0+ years of experience in programs and contracts of similar scope, type and complexity. with the provision of SE services for physical security system and IT solutions.

Desired Skills:
  • Strong Oral, Written and Presentation Skills.
  • Demonstrated background working with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and quality objectives.
  • Strong MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint Skills is a plus.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time.

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

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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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