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Associate Engineer Jobs in Springfield, VA (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

AI Engineer Associate

Upper Marlboro, MD · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a machine learning engineer with hands-on experience deploying machine learning and artificial intelligence models. Experience with on-premises deployment of large ...

Burns

Senior Electrical Engineer-Aviation

Washington, DC · On-site

$122K - $158.90K/yr

Supervises coordinates and reviews of the work of Assistant Engineers, Associate Engineers and Engineers. Continues to develop technical expertise in discipline and may begin to specialize in niche ...

Burns

Senior Electrical Engineer-Rail & Transit

Washington, DC · On-site

$122K - $158.90K/yr

Supervises coordinates and reviews of the work of Assistant Engineers, Associate Engineers and Engineers. Continues to develop technical expertise in discipline and may begin to specialize in niche ...

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See Springfield, VA salary details

$43.3K

$86.3K

$137.9K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Springfield, VA is $86,316.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,400.00 and $99,200.00 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
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What cities near Springfield, VA are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs? Cities near Springfield, VA with the most Associate Engineer job openings:
Associate Engineer jobs near you
AI Engineer Associate

AI Engineer Associate

Science Applications International Corporation

Upper Marlboro, MD • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Job Description
SAIC is seeking a machine learning engineer with hands-on experience deploying machine learning and artificial intelligence models. Experience with on-premises deployment of large language models (LLMs) is desired. The candidate will join the dynamic team at the Identity and Data Sciences Laboratory (IDSL). The IDSL is tasked with evaluating how new AI technologies can be best integrated into operational use-cases across the US government. We are investigating how AI systems can improve process efficiency and effectiveness as well as how to optimally team AI systems with human operators. Our engineers enjoy a great work-life balance and work in an environment that promotes learning and exploration.
The IDSL is based in Upper Marlboro, MD. Up to 20% travel is expected within the continental US. This is a hybrid position with 3 days per week expected in the office.
Responsibilities:
  • Deploy, configure, and maintain machine learning models and large language models (LLMs) on GPU-enabled on-premises servers and cloud infrastructure, ensuring high availability and reliability for all team stakeholders.
  • Design and implement secure, efficient data pipelines for AI systems within air-gapped and networked environments.
  • Develop and integrate agentic AI pipelines leveraging open-source LLMs and on-premises GPU hardware.
  • Contribute to in-person data collections at the Maryland Test Facility.
  • Stay current with the rapidly evolving AI hardware and software landscape, identifying and recommending improvements to tooling, infrastructure, and deployment practices.
  • Collaborate frequently with software, networking, data science, and cloud engineering teams to align AI infrastructure with existing laboratory infrastructure.
  • Work closely with the lead AI scientist to carry out these responsibilities.

Qualifications
Required:
  • BS in computer science, machine learning, computer vision, biometrics or a related field.
  • Strong programming skills in languages such as Python and version control systems such as Git.
  • Hands-on experience deploying and configuring LLMs, including an understanding of prompt engineering techniques.
  • Experience specifying and working with GPU hardware to meet the performance demands of AI workloads.
  • Experience with AI frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
  • Experience deploying and configuring LLMs and an understanding of prompt engineering.
  • Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Desired:
  • Familiarity with biometric and identity systems, including face, iris, or fingerprint recognition technologies.
  • Familiarity with RAG, Vector Stores, and Agentic AI.
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, including managed AI and compute services (e.g., Amazon Bedrock).
  • Exposure to secure or air-gapped deployment environments and associated data handling requirements.
  • Awareness of current and emerging AI hardware options and a demonstrated habit of tracking developments in the field.
  • Experience operating Agentic AI coding tools (e.g., Claude Code) in a safe, structured, and productive manner.

About Us
SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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