1

Associate Engineering Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Senior Electrical Engineer-Aviation

Washington, DC · On-site

$122K - $158K/yr

Develops solutions for larger and highly complex engineering projects. Supervises coordinates and reviews of the work of Assistant Engineers, Associate Engineers and Engineers. Continues to develop ...

Senior Electrical Engineer-Rail & Transit

Washington, DC · On-site

$122K - $158K/yr

Develops solutions for larger and highly complex engineering projects. Supervises coordinates and reviews of the work of Assistant Engineers, Associate Engineers and Engineers. Continues to develop ...

AI Engineer Associate

Upper Marlboro, MD · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Machine Learning Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 25% of the time Minimum Clearance Required: None Clearance Level Must Be Able to ...

Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Machine Learning Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 25% of the time Minimum Clearance Required: None Clearance Level Must Be Able to ...

AI Engineer Associate

Upper Marlboro, MD · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

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 ...

Associate, Manufacturing Engineer Job Code: 40602 Job Location: Clifton, NJ Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Associate Engineering information

See Washington salary details

$47K

$93.6K

$149.5K

How much do associate engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineering in Washington 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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as Petroleum Engineers, Software Engineering Managers, and certain specialized roles in investment banking or high-frequency trading can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and often involve leadership responsibilities or working in high-stakes industries.

What does an Associate Engineer do?

An Associate Engineer is an entry-level professional who assists in designing, developing, and maintaining engineering projects. They work under the supervision of senior engineers, helping with technical tasks such as drafting plans, conducting tests, and collecting data. Their responsibilities may also include troubleshooting issues, preparing reports, and ensuring projects comply with industry standards. Associate Engineers typically work in fields like civil, mechanical, electrical, or software engineering.

What can you do with an Associate in engineering?

An associate degree in engineering prepares individuals for technical roles such as engineering technician, CAD drafter, or quality control inspector. These positions involve supporting engineering projects, performing testing, and using tools like AutoCAD or MATLAB, often requiring strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with industry standards.

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 understanding of engineering principles, problem-solving skills, and typically a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or MATLAB, and sometimes certifications like EIT (Engineer-in-Training), are commonly required. Strong teamwork, adaptability, and effective communication are soft skills that help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for successfully executing technical tasks, collaborating on projects, and supporting senior engineers in achieving organizational goals.

What are some typical challenges Associate Engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to real-world engineering teams?

Associate Engineers often find that moving from academic projects to professional engineering teams involves adapting to faster-paced timelines, working within established processes, and collaborating with colleagues from various disciplines. Unlike academic work, where projects might be more theoretical or self-directed, real-world engineering requires balancing multiple tasks, following industry standards, and communicating effectively to ensure project success. Over time, most associate engineers develop strong problem-solving and teamwork skills, which are essential for advancement and continued success in the field.

What is the work of Associate engineer?

An Associate Engineer supports engineering projects by assisting with design, analysis, testing, and documentation. They often work under the supervision of senior engineers, using tools like CAD software and following technical standards to contribute to project development and problem-solving.

What is the difference between Associate Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectAssociate EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or diploma, some certificationsBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, licensure often not required initially
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, technical support, manufacturing, constructionDesign, analysis, research, manufacturing, often more autonomous
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction firms, manufacturing companies, government agenciesEngineering firms, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive industries

Associate Engineering roles typically require an associate degree and focus on technical support and implementation tasks. Mechanical Engineering positions usually demand a bachelor's degree and involve design, analysis, and problem-solving responsibilities. Both roles are essential in engineering projects but differ in education level, scope, and responsibilities.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software, petroleum, aerospace, and electrical engineering can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and often in high-demand industries or leadership roles. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and specialization, with some roles requiring advanced degrees or certifications.
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Engineering jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Engineering jobs in Washington? For Associate Engineering jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Associate Engineering jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Associate Engineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Engineering job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,594 per year, or $45 per hour.
Associate Machine Learning Engineer - Secure AI Lab

Associate Machine Learning Engineer - Secure AI Lab

Carnegie Mellon University

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Carnegie Mellon University rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 553 rated colleges and universities


Job description

At the SEI AI Division, we conduct research in applied artificial intelligence and the engineering questions related to the practical design and implementation of AI technologies and systems. We currently lead a community-wide movement to mature the discipline of AI Engineering for Defense and National Security.

As our government customers adopt AI and machine learning toprovideleap-ahead mission capabilities, we

  • build real-world, mission-scale AI capabilities through solving practical engineering problems

  • discover and define the processes, practices, and tools to support operationalizing AI for robust, secure, scalable, and human-centered mission capabilities

  • prepare our customers to be ready for the unique challenges of adopting, deploying, using, andmaintainingAI capabilities

  • identifyand investigate emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies that are rapidly transforming the technology landscape

Are you creative, curious, energetic, collaborative, technology-focused, and hard-working? Are you interested in making a difference by bringing innovation to government organizations and beyond? Apply to join our team.

Overview:As an Associate Machine Learning Engineer,you will specialize in engineering solutions that supportresearchinto the vulnerabilities of AIandML algorithms and securing against those vulnerabilities.

TheSecure AILab within the SEI's AI Division focuses on improving the security and robustness of AI systems. As part of the world-class research community at Carnegie Mellon University, theSecure AILabconducts and appliescutting-edgeresearch toprotectAI systems fromadversaries who aim to manipulatethe systemto learn, do, or revealsomething itisn'tsupposed to.

TheSecure AILab consists of machine learning research scientists, machine learning engineers, and software developers who work together to solve problems in the following areas:

  • Counter AI Research:Study threat modelstargeting AIandML algorithms,understand the behaviors of AI algorithms,identifyweak points, and design novel ways to subvert AIandMLsystems.

  • AIandMLAlgorithm DefenseResearch:Createpractical mitigations and defenses forobservedattacksaffecting AIandML algorithmsand evaluate the effectiveness ofdefensivetechniques.

  • Applied Adversarial Machine Learning:Advance the state of the art in adversarial machine learning by developing and transitioning capabilities to government sponsors.

As an engineer, you will solve problems for government sponsors by analyzing, designing, and building responsible AI systems.

Your day-to-day engineering tasks will include:

  • Identifyingandinvestigatingemerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies.

  • Defining andrefiningprocesses, practices, and tools for working with AI.

  • Designing andbuildingwell-engineered prototypes of AI systems.

  • Transitioning andprovidingguidance onAI capabilities to government sponsors.

Duties

  • Building Machine Learning Models and Systems:You will work with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow,PyTorch, Torch, and Caffe and modern programming languages including Python, C/C++, and Java. You will build and work with datapipelines, ETL processes, and backend systems. You will work with, extend, and implementstate-of-the-artmachine learning methods.

  • Technical Experimentation:You will experiment with modern and emerging machine learning frameworks, methods, and algorithms in application domains that include computer vision, natural language processing,planningand scheduling, robot control, and engineering safe, trusted, and reliable machine learning systems.

  • Testingand evaluation.You'llconduct rapid prototyping todemonstrateand evaluate technologies in relevant environments.You'llevaluate systems for performance and security.You'lltest capabilities using novel testing and analysis techniques.

  • Collaboration.You'llactivelyparticipateon teams of developers, researchers, designers, and technical leads.You'llcollaborate with researchers and our government customers to understand challenges, needs, andpossible solutions.

  • Mentoring.You'llcontribute to improving the overall technical capabilities of the Division by mentoring and teaching others,participatingin design (software and otherwise) sessions, and sharing insights and wisdom across the SEI.

Knowledge andExperience

  • Comprehensiveknowledge ofmachine learning;previousexperiencein adversarial machine learningdesirablebut notrequired

  • A track recordofusingwell-establishedengineering practices to solvedifficult problems

  • An understanding ofhow toconvertresearch resultsintofunctioning prototypesor capabilities

  • Experienceleadingtechnicalprojectsinnovelareaswith limitedpreviouswork to build upon

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;able to convey complex technical ideasinalayperson's terms

  • Ampleexperience with publishingwritten or technicalartifactsshowcasingyour work

  • Strong collaboration skills for working with colleagues and sponsors

  • Willingnesstoguide andmentorjunior team members

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, machine learning, electrical engineering, or related discipline with three (3) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with one (1) year of experience; OR PhD in a relevant discipline.

  • Willingness to work onsite 5 days per week at SEI offices in Pittsburgh, PA or Arlington, VA.

  • You will be subject to a background investigation and must be able to obtain andmaintainan active Department of War security clearance.

  • Willing to travel up to 25% of the time to locations outside of your home location. Travel sites include SEI offices in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., sponsor sites, and conferences.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it's about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Arlington, VA, Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Software/Applications Development/Engineering

Position Type

Staff - Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information:

  • Please visit "Why Carnegie Mellon" to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

  • Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

  • Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

  • Statement of Assurance


What Carnegie Mellon University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom