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Associate Research Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Research Engineer information

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$41.1K

$81.9K

$130.9K

How much do associate research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate research engineer in Virginia is $81,927.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,900.00 and $94,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an associate research engineer do?

An Associate Research Engineer supports research and development projects by conducting experiments, analyzing data, and assisting with the design and testing of prototypes or systems. They often collaborate with senior engineers and scientists to develop new technologies or improve existing ones. Responsibilities may also include preparing technical reports, maintaining laboratory equipment, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. This role is typically an entry-level engineering position that provides hands-on experience in a research-oriented environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate research engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Research Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, data analysis, and experimental design, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with technical tools such as MATLAB, Python, CAD software, and lab instrumentation is typically required, along with experience in documentation and reporting systems. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities help set candidates apart. These competencies are essential for driving innovation, ensuring accurate research outcomes, and collaborating efficiently within research and development environments.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate research engineer when working on collaborative projects?

As an Associate Research Engineer, one of the main challenges in collaborative projects is effectively communicating technical findings and progress with multidisciplinary teams, which may include scientists, engineers, and project managers. Balancing multiple priorities, such as meeting project deadlines while ensuring experiments are thoroughly conducted and documented, can also be demanding. Additionally, adapting to rapidly changing project goals or research directions requires flexibility and proactive problem-solving. Building strong relationships and maintaining clear communication channels are essential for overcoming these challenges and contributing successfully to team objectives.

What is the difference between Associate Research Engineer vs Research Engineer?

AspectAssociate Research EngineerResearch Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering or related fieldBachelor's or Master's, often with more experience or specialization
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supporting research projects, labs, or R&D teamsMore independent, leading or executing research initiatives
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech, manufacturing, and research institutionsUsed across similar industries, often with more responsibility

The main difference between an Associate Research Engineer and a Research Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. Associate Research Engineers typically support research projects and are in early career stages, while Research Engineers often lead or independently execute research tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are prevalent in tech and industrial sectors.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Research Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Research Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Associate Research Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Associate Research Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Associate Research Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Research Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,927 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Research Associate - Quantitative Analysis

RPMGlobal

Alexandria, VA โ€ข On-site

$69 - $194/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Overview

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a Federally-Funded Research and Development Center supporting the Department of War (DoW) and other federal agencies. IDAโ€™s mission is to provide objective analyses of national security issues and related national challenges, particularly those requiring extraordinary scientific and technical expertise. IDA takes great pride in the high caliber and timeliness of its analyses, which are produced in an atmosphere that encourages collaboration, independent thinking, and objective results.

An opportunity now exists in our Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD) for a Research Associate. Candidates should be interested in working on a diverse set of emerging problems using advanced analytic techniques to derive data-driven insights for our sponsors. Work at IDA is conducted in a team environment and often involves a multi-disciplinary approach. Researchers work closely with each other and are in frequent contact with government sponsors. Consequently, strong communications and interpersonal skills will be greatly valued.

Responsibilities:

IDA is seeking a Research Associate to join the Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD). Research Associates directly contribute to IDA research efforts as part of interdisciplinary research teams. The candidate for this position will support various analyses within CARD and may also work with analysts from other divisions at IDA. A Research Associate in CARD will likely be asked to:

  • Research topics independently.
  • Compile, cleanse, and analyze data.
  • Build and develop statistical models.
  • Assist in developing and maintaining information sources.
  • Attend and participate in project meetings.
  • Interact with Governmental sponsors and industrial representatives.
  • Provide presentations of analyses.
  • Contribute to the writing of reports and papers.
Minimum Job Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's or Masterโ€™s Degree in Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Decision Science, Management Science, Accounting (or a similar field) is required.
  • Demonstrated strong communications skills are essential.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of project teams is vital.
  • Experience working with data, including data collection, normalization, analysis, and visualization is highly desirable.
  • Prior work experience is preferable.
  • Skills working with programming languages (e.g., R, Python, STATA) are a plus.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances is mandatory.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.

We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $68,681-$194,054. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbentโ€™s experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.

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