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Associate Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

We are currently seeking an Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our growing New Construction team in the Pacific Northwest. In this role, you'll focus on engineering, design, and coordination of ...

GRI is seeking a Senior to Associate level Geotechnical Engineer, Geological Engineer, or Engineering Geologist with 10+ years of experience in landslide and rockfall evaluations. A qualified ...

Showing results 21-40

Associate Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$44K

$87.6K

$140K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Portland, OR is $87,636.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $100,700.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Engineer jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Associate Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,636 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Associate Substation Civil/Structural Engineer

Leidos

Portland, OR • On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 495 rated business services


Job description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?
Associate Substation Structural Engineer
Leidos Engineering offers its knowledge and expertise over a wide area of cutting-edge energy technologies and independent oversight, combined with proven business acumen. Building our work for publicly- and privately-owned utilities, financial institutions and local governments, we are able to provide our clients with business insight into all sectors of the infrastructure industry.
We are seeking an Associate Substation Structural Engineer with minimum 2 years of experience with a utility and/or utility consulting company doing design engineering. The candidate must have a strong educational background in design of steel structures, concrete structures, geotechnical engineering, and foundations. Experience with substation structure design, rigid bus design, foundation design, site development, oil spill containment design, and design of retaining walls, design of concrete and masonry control shelters, and fire-walls is a plus. This position will be direct design of the aforementioned civil/structural design components in support of the development of bid/construction packages for substation projects. Candidate will primarily perform design calculations and develop construction-grade engineering design drawings, independently, on a regular basis, under the supervision of a licensed civil engineer. Experience designing structures and foundations to industry codes and standards under seismic loading conditions is preferred. Site-visits to client substation facilities are expected to be part of the work, along with occasional travel for client meetings and industry-related events. Candidate must comply with quality control and safe work practices and maintain compliance with project scope, schedule and budget expectations. This position will be a member of a design team comprised of engineers, designers, and drafting technicians.
Qualifications
• Bachelors of Science (BS) degree in Civil-Structural Engineering and 2+ years of experience or Masters (MS) with 1+ years of relevant experience
• EIT Preferred
• Experience with Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint & Mathcad software
• Experience with STAAD.Pro, SAP2000, RISA 3D, FAD, SAFE, SAG10, and LPile software, (preferred)
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, MicroStation software preferred
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills
• Team player with ability to communicate with clients and staff
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
Location: Preferred location is Portland, OR. If remote, ideally candidate would reside in either Pacific or Mountain Time Zones.
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
June 12, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $59,150.00 - $106,925.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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