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Associate Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Senior Cybersecurity Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$129K - $177K/yr

Pair with Mid and Associate engineers, run design reviews, give substantive code/config review, and grow the next tier. Quality of output from less senior engineers is part of your scope.

Senior Electrical Engineer-Aviation

Washington, DC · On-site

$122K - $158K/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 ...

Senior Electrical Engineer-Rail & Transit

Washington, DC · On-site

$122K - $158K/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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Associate Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$47K

$93.6K

$149.5K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Washington, DC is $93,594.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,200.00 and $107,600.00 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 Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

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

What job categories do people searching Associate Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 63% Full Time, 34% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,594 per year, or $45 per hour.

Associate Engineer Drafter - TS/SCI Polygraph Required

Leidos

Reston, VA • On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Create and modify detailed engineering drawings using CAD, CAM, CATIA, and BIM software.

  • Develop technical solutions through collaboration with subject matter experts and analysis.

  • Perform clash detection, model coordination, and generate documentation from BIM models.


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 153 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 500 rated business services


Job description

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 established references, standard data, and engineering best practices. Work is performed using computer-aided design and modeling tools, including CAD, CAM, CATIA, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
The successful candidate will develop technical solutions that require collaboration with subject matter experts, in-depth analysis, and a thorough understanding of impacts to the final product or solution. This position demands creativity, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to solve complex problems where complete information may not be available. Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality are essential.
You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of government and contractor personnel in a fast-paced, high-energy environment within a secure government facility.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • As part of a characterization team, integrate all-source intelligence, geotechnical data, topographical data, underground infrastructure expertise, and engineering principles to identify and model facility functions (missions) and physical configurations, including layouts, structures, mission systems, support systems, and associated components.
  • Develop detailed 3D BIM models and 2D CAD drawings across multiple engineering disciplines.
  • Perform clash detection and coordination among engineering disciplines by reviewing models to identify and resolve conflicts before design completion.
  • Develop, maintain, and enhance project-specific and enterprise BIM libraries, including custom families, templates, metadata, and annotations.
  • Audit models to ensure data integrity, spatial accuracy, compliance with Level of Development (LOD) requirements, and adherence to organizational BIM, modeling, and simulation standards.
  • Generate customer-required documentation, including technical reports, detailed measurements, material schedules, cross-sections, and other deliverables directly from BIM models.
  • Participate in model coordination meetings with clients, stakeholders, and cross-functional project teams.
  • Execute detailed layout and design drawings in accordance with established engineering drafting standards and practices.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience
  • Active and in scope TS/SCI Polygraph clearance. U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles, theories, concepts, and technical expertise within a specialized domain, with a broad understanding of related disciplines.
  • Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience. Additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • Experience in Civil, Structural, Protective Engineering, or another discipline directly applicable to Building Information Modeling (BIM).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief and interact effectively with senior government and organizational leaders.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Working knowledge of protective engineering principles and physical force protection measures.
  • Experience with Autodesk Revit, Autodesk AutoCAD, and BIM software, methodologies, and best practices.
  • Experience with VENTSIM, ETAP, or other infrastructure modeling and simulation tools.
  • Military, intelligence community, or defense-related experience.
  • Construction experience, particularly involving mission-critical facilities, tunneling, underground structures, or large-scale excavations.
  • Experience with design reviews, engineering modifications, specifications development, dimensioning, and document management.
  • Experience developing and implementing BIM-related workflows, standards, and processes.

#ASBA
#Snakehead
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:
August 14, 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 $73,450.00 - $132,775.00
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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