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Automation Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Nightwing

Data Automation Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$99K - $206K/yr

The Data Automation Engineer will develop and implement automation solutions to support technology integration activities, focusing on data pipeline development, automated analysis workflows, and ...

Leidos

Automation Engineer (Uipath)

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

This role will lead automation initiatives from discovery through production support, mentor junior developers, and help mature our RPA Center of Excellence (CoE) practices, governance, and delivery ...

New

Leidos

Automation Engineer (UiPath)

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

This role will lead automation initiatives from discovery through production support, mentor junior developers, and help mature our RPA Center of Excellence (CoE) practices, governance, and delivery ...

New

Nightwing

Data Automation Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$77K - $163K/yr

The Data Automation Engineer will develop and implement automation solutions to support technology integration activities, focusing on data pipeline development, automated analysis workflows, and ...

Nightwing

Data Automation Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

They are seeking a Data Automation Engineer to develop and implement automation solutions for technology integration activities, focusing on data pipeline development and automated analysis workflows.

Leidos

Automation Engineer (Uipath)

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

Primary Responsibilities We are seeking an experienced UiPath Automation Engineer to design, develop, and deploy enterprise-grade Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions. This role will lead ...

New

Gigatec Engineering

Automation Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

What You'll Be Doing (We don't love the bullet points, but we love the work!) As the Software Automation Engineer, you'll be part of a team responsible for executing and maintaining automated ...

Catalyx

Automation Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

Catalyx is seeking an Automation & IT Integration Engineer with a strong background in process control systems and industrial automation. This role serves as a key interface between Automation/OT and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAutomation Engineer JobsAutomation Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Automation Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$41.9K

$121.3K

$184.5K

How much do automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for automation engineer in Washington, DC is $121,286.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,900.00 and $139,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Automation Engineer vs Control Systems Engineer?

AspectAutomation EngineerControl Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, certifications like PLC or SCADABachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering, similar certifications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, industrial plants, automation companiesIndustrial facilities, manufacturing, process control environments
Employer & Industry UsageTech firms, manufacturing, automation service providersIndustrial sectors, process industries, automation firms
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The main difference between Automation Engineers and Control Systems Engineers lies in their focus areas. Automation Engineers typically design and implement automated systems across various industries, emphasizing software and hardware integration. Control Systems Engineers concentrate on designing and maintaining control systems for industrial processes, often with a stronger emphasis on control theory and hardware. Both roles require similar qualifications and are often found working in manufacturing and industrial environments, but their specific responsibilities and focus areas differ.

What is an automation engineer?

Automation Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and implement automated systems and processes to improve efficiency, quality, and productivity in various industries. They work with technologies such as robotics, control systems, and software to automate repetitive or complex tasks. Their responsibilities often include programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining automation equipment, as well as collaborating with other engineers to optimize workflows. Automation Engineers are employed in sectors like manufacturing, IT, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.

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

To thrive as an Automation Engineer, you need a strong grasp of control systems, programming (such as PLC, Python, or C++), and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with automation platforms like Rockwell, Siemens, or SCADA systems, as well as certifications like ISA or relevant vendor-specific credentials, is highly valued. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and troubleshooting complex issues. These skills and qualifications are critical for designing efficient automated solutions, minimizing downtime, and ensuring seamless integration of systems.

What are some common challenges automation engineers face when integrating new systems into existing workflows?

Automation Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new automation solutions with legacy systems, including compatibility issues and data migration complexities. Coordinating with cross-functional teams—such as IT, operations, and production—can require extensive communication to ensure seamless implementation. Additionally, balancing the need for system reliability with innovation and minimizing downtime during transitions are key concerns. Proactively addressing these challenges through thorough planning and testing helps ensure successful integration.

What does an automation engineer do?

As an automation engineer, your job is to design and develop automated machines for your company. Your responsibilities may include determining the best way to implement automation, creating devices that meet the company's needs and specifications, testing robots to ensure they perform as designed, and monitoring existing automation to check if repair or replacement is needed. Many duties of this job vary by industry. For example, automation engineers work in areas like the automotive industry, food preparation and packaging, electronics production, and appliance production, and each of these fields has different materials and objectives. However, regardless of industry, most automation engineers work with both hardware and software.

More about Automation Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Automation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automation Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 70% In-person, 15% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,286 per year, or $58.3 per hour.

Data Automation Engineer

Nightwing

Arlington, VA • On-site

$99K - $206K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers' most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
Nightwing is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber-attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services. Nightwing is seeking a Data Automation Engineer to support this critical customer mission.
The Data Automation Engineer will develop and implement automation solutions to support technology integration activities, focusing on data pipeline development, automated analysis workflows, and integration automation. This role addresses manual workflow pain points and enables scaling of technology capabilities through intelligent automation.
Responsibilities:
- Develop automated data pipelines for technology integration initiatives
- Create automation workflows for malware sample collection, detonation, and taxonomy
- Implement data integration automation between pilot and production systems
- Support Automated Malware Analysis (AMA) platform development and enhancement
- Develop scripts and tools to automate repetitive technical tasks
- Create data transformation and normalization automation
- Support AI/ML data preparation and feature engineering automation
- Develop monitoring and alerting automation for integrated systems
- Implement API integrations for data sharing and workflow automation
- Document automation solutions and maintain code repositories
- Support scaling automation from pilot to production environments
- Optimize automation performance and efficiency
- Collaborate with analysts to identify automation opportunities
- Ensure automation solutions maintain data quality and integrity
- Support continuous improvement of automated capabilities
Required Skills:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Active Secret clearance, TS/SCI preferred
- Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability
- 5+ years of experience in automation engineering, data engineering, or software development
- Strong programming skills in Python, with experience in data manipulation libraries
- Experience developing data pipelines and ETL processes
- Knowledge of automation frameworks and orchestration tools
- Experience with APIs and integration technologies
- Understanding of database systems and data modeling
- Familiarity with version control (Git) and CI/CD practices
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to translate business requirements into automated solutions
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent documentation and communication abilities
Desired Skills:
- Experience with malware analysis automation or cybersecurity tools
- Knowledge of AI/ML pipelines and data preparation
- Experience with workflow orchestration tools (Airflow, Prefect)
- Background in cybersecurity or threat intelligence automation
- Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Knowledge of streaming data platforms (Kafka, Kinesis)
- Familiarity with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop)
- Experience supporting federal cybersecurity programs
Required Education:
BS in Computer Science, Data Science, or related degree, or HS Diploma and 7+ years of directly relevant experience
Desired Certifications:
- DoD 8140 IAT Level III
- CSSLP
Syndeo: ESS-3609
Salary & Benefits
The salary associated with this position ($99,000-$206,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.
Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.
Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

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