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Automotive Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Engineer

Hampton, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Responsibilities include creating CAD models, performing structural and thermal analyses ... Defense, and Automotive industries and organizations. Psionic, Inc. Values our customer ...

Mechanical Engineer

Hampton, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Responsibilities include creating CAD models, performing structural and thermal analyses ... Defense, and Automotive industries and organizations.Psionic, Inc. Values our customer ...

We provide a large product and service portfolio including power, automotive, ammunition, coinage ... The Manufacturing Engineer will plan, design, and implement production systems that assure safety ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Verona, VA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We provide a large product and service portfolio including power, automotive, ammunition, coinage ... The Manufacturing Engineer will plan, design, and implement production systems that assure safety ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Verona, VA · On-site

$85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We provide a large product and service portfolio including power, automotive, ammunition, coinage ... The Manufacturing Engineer will plan, design, and implement production systems that assure safety ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Verona, VA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We provide a large product and service portfolio including power, automotive, ammunition, coinage ... The Manufacturing Engineer will plan, design, and implement production systems that assure safety ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Verona, VA

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We provide a large product and service portfolio including power, automotive, ammunition, coinage ... The Manufacturing Engineer will plan, design, and implement production systems that assure safety ...

The company has over 60 years of experience as a worldwide leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of components and systems in the automotive sector. Why work here? Our client is a ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Verona, VA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We provide a large product and service portfolio including power, automotive, ammunition, coinage ... The Manufacturing Engineer will plan, design, and implement production systems that assure safety ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Verona, VA

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We provide a large product and service portfolio including power, automotive, ammunition, coinage ... The Manufacturing Engineer will plan, design, and implement production systems that assure safety ...

We provide a large product and service portfolio including power, automotive, ammunition, coinage ... The Manufacturing Engineer will plan, design, and implement production systems that assure safety ...

... automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more. As part of the global ALTEN Group--57,000 ... design guidelines, Electrical Schematics, I/O Lists, Instrument and Automated Valve Lists, Network ...

Along the way you will be responsible for circuit design, schematic capture, and layout of complex ... Experience designing systems for harsh environments (space, aviation, automotive, etc.

Mid Electrical Engineer

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of ... automobiles, aircraft, radar and navigation systems, and transmission devices used by electric ...

... automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more. As part of the global ALTEN Group--57,000 ... Read, interpret and comment on engineering documents, including P&IDs, GAs, process design ...

... design, implementation, testing, cutover, and post-migration stabilization. • Set engineering ... Mobility Global provides automotive data, analytics, and software solutions across the vehicle ...

Showing results 41-60

Automotive Design Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$40.2K

$87.4K

$157.1K

How much do automotive design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive design engineer in Virginia is $87,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,400.00 and $97,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automotive design engineer do?

An Automotive Design Engineer is responsible for developing and improving vehicle designs, focusing on aesthetics, functionality, and safety. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create blueprints and collaborate with engineers to refine concepts. Their work includes designing body structures, interiors, and aerodynamics while ensuring compliance with industry standards. They also test prototypes and analyze performance to enhance efficiency and durability.

What does a typical day look like for an automotive design engineer?

As an Automotive Design Engineer, your days often involve collaborating with other engineers and designers to create and refine vehicle components using CAD tools, participating in design reviews, and ensuring that your solutions meet safety and regulatory standards. You might analyze prototypes, troubleshoot design challenges, and incorporate feedback from cross-functional partners such as manufacturing or testing teams. It's common to split time between computer-based design work and hands-on activities like inspecting prototypes or components. This role offers a dynamic mix of creative problem-solving, technical analysis, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive design engineer?

To thrive as an Automotive Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, proficiency in CAD software, and a strong understanding of automotive systems and materials. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like CATIA, SolidWorks, and relevant certifications such as FE or PE are highly valued. Creativity, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork skills help set candidates apart in this field. These skills and qualities enable engineers to develop innovative vehicle designs that meet safety, performance, and manufacturing requirements within cross-functional teams.

How much do automotive design engineers make in the US?

Automotive design engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $75,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000 annually.

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Design Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Automotive Design Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Automotive Design Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Automotive Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $87,393 per year, or $42 per hour.

Mechanical Engineer

Psionic

Hampton, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Psionic, Inc. is seeking an early career Mechanical Engineer to help develop innovative, production-ready instrumentation for next-generation electro-optics systems. The ideal candidate brings a diverse, hands-on background in mechanical engineering and electro-optical instrumentation and will complement our on-site team in Hampton, Virginia.
What a Great Mechanical Engineer will be doing
This role focuses on developing next-generation lidar products for defense and space applications. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary engineering team to design, analyze, prototype, and test mechanical and electromechanical subsystems that meet rigorous aerospace and defense standards. Responsibilities include creating CAD models, performing structural and thermal analyses, supporting prototyping and assembly, and validating designs through analysis and test. The role requires applying core principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, hydraulics, and materials science.
Our systems must operate reliably under demanding environmental conditions. The candidate will verify product performance through modeling and testing. Projects span lab demonstrations, field measurement campaigns, prototype development, and transitioning designs into manufacturing.
Required Education & Requirements
  • BS or higher in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
  • 0-5 years of hands-on engineering experience.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Solid understanding of engineering fundamentals and experience designing and analyzing mechanical and optomechanical systems.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).
  • Ability to learn new skills and adapt to emerging technologies.
  • Experience with systems engineering principles and full life-cycle product development.
  • Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose issues during product testing.
  • Experience with the design, development, calibration, and deployment of advanced electronic measurement or instrumentation systems-particularly for laboratory, aero, or space-flight applications-is a plus.
  • Structural and thermal analysis experience is a plus.

Major Responsibilities
  • Develop mechanical and electromechanical products by interpreting customer requirements, researching manufacturing and assembly methods, evaluating materials, and incorporating operator feedback.
  • Create 3D CAD models and detailed drawings that account for manufacturability, harsh-environment performance, and cost.
  • Analyze designs to ensure compliance with structural, thermal, and environmental requirements.
  • Ensure product and system quality by developing test methods, verifying performance, and validating fabrication, assembly, and installation processes.
  • Prepare clear, concise engineering reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing technical data and trends.
  • Communicate engineering information effectively through written documentation and oral presentations.
  • Maintain product and company compliance with applicable government regulations.
  • Serve as the mechanical and structural lead for assembly and manufacturing, including documentation, technician training, and hands-on guidance.
  • Contribute to overall system success by applying mechanical engineering expertise, identifying interface issues, collaborating effectively with other disciplines, and supporting hardware development for space-flight and defense systems.

Team Culture/Benefits
  • Join a diverse and dynamic team that provides creative opportunities, collaborative efforts, and groundbreaking technology
  • Flexible work schedule
  • Career growth- Psionic, Inc. values and invests in its family and promotes from within regularly
  • We offer a competitive salary
  • Benefits including health, dental, vision, paid time off, holidays, and 401(k)

Who We Are
Born in space and engineered for extreme performance, Psionic, Inc. is more than technology. Integrity, teamwork and customer focus are among the values that define who we are individually and as a company. Our core team is comprised of many of the experts and engineers behind NASA's groundbreaking technology and we have added industry experts to help us solve important problems for the world's Space, Defense, and Automotive industries and organizations.
Psionic, Inc. Values our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. We are a startup, focused on lidar sensors for autonomous vehicles. We are building a culture of high performance that we think can change the world for the better. Based in Hampton, Virginia.
Psionic, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position requires access to export-controlled
technology or software source code and the position is subject to U.S. export control laws.