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Chemical Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Senior Chemical Engineer/Chemist

Reston, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer or Chemist to lead reverse engineering analysis on defense industrial programs. You will leverage deep subject matter expertise to evaluate intelligence and ...

Leidos

Senior Chemical Engineer/Chemist

Reston, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer or Chemist to lead reverse engineering analysis on defense industrial programs. You will leverage deep subject matter expertise to evaluate intelligence and ...

Leidos

Senior Chemical Engineer/Chemist

Reston, VA

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer or Chemist to lead reverse engineering analysis on defense industrial programs. You will leverage deep subject matter expertise to evaluate intelligence and ...

Leidos

Senior Chemical Engineer/Chemist

Reston, VA

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer or Chemist to lead reverse engineering analysis on defense industrial programs. You will leverage deep subject matter expertise to evaluate intelligence and ...

ERG

Senior Process Safety/Chemical Engineer

Fairfax, VA · Remote

$110K - $155K/yr

ERG is seeking a Senior Process Safety Engineer or Chemical Engineer to join our Risk Management Program (RMP) and Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance and enforcement team providing support to ...

ERG

Senior Process Safety/Chemical Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$110K - $155K/yr

ERG is seeking a Senior Process Safety Engineer or Chemical Engineer to join our Risk Management Program (RMP) and Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance and enforcement team providing support to ...

ERG

Senior Process Safety/Chemical Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site +1

$110K - $155K/yr

ERG is seeking a Senior Process Safety Engineer or Chemical Engineer to join our Risk Management Program (RMP) and Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance and enforcement team providing support to ...

Jedson Engineering Inc

Project Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

We provide full-service engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) services to industrial process manufacturers that operate in pulp & paper, chemical, CPG, F&B, life sciences, power ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsChemical Engineer JobsChemical Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Chemical Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$41.6K

$91K

$145.7K

How much do chemical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for chemical engineer in Reston, VA is $91,017.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,200.00 and $110,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Chemical Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectChemical EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in chemical engineering; often licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE)Bachelor's degree in chemical, process, or industrial engineering; may also pursue PE licensure
Work EnvironmentFactories, laboratories, research facilities, and industrial plantsManufacturing plants, process design, and optimization settings
Industry UsageChemical, pharmaceuticals, energy, and materials industriesManufacturing, refining, and process industries

Both Chemical Engineers and Process Engineers work in industrial environments and often require similar educational backgrounds. Chemical Engineers typically focus on designing and developing chemical processes, while Process Engineers optimize and improve existing manufacturing processes. Their roles often overlap, but their primary responsibilities differ slightly based on project scope and focus.

What are chemical engineers?

Chemical engineers are professionals who apply principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and engineering to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods, and oversee facility operations. Chemical engineers work in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, energy, food processing, and environmental health and safety. Their work helps turn raw materials into useful products safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

What type of jobs do chemical engineers do?

Chemical engineers design, develop, and optimize processes for producing chemicals, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and materials. They work in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and environmental protection, often using tools like process simulation software and adhering to safety and environmental regulations.

What Is the Job of a Chemical Engineer?

Chemical Engineers design and develop manufacturing processes for various chemicals. They can work in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, food processing, environmental health, health care, and design and construction. In this job, you can expect to research new methods for manufacturing chemicals, create these processes, estimate the cost of production, and draft and implement related safety procedures to ensure the well-being of employees who will work with those chemicals.

What are some common challenges chemical engineers face when working on process optimization projects?

Chemical engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing safety requirements with production efficiency, troubleshooting complex process issues, and adapting to new technologies or regulations. These projects typically require close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including operators, quality control, and maintenance staff, to implement changes without disrupting ongoing operations. Staying up-to-date with industry best practices and maintaining strong problem-solving skills are essential to successfully navigate these challenges and drive continuous improvement.

What kind of work do chemical engineers do?

Chemical engineers design, develop, and optimize processes to produce chemicals, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and other products. They work in laboratories, manufacturing plants, and research facilities, applying principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to solve technical problems and improve efficiency.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes professional certifications or advanced degrees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chemical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chemical Engineer, you need a solid background in chemistry, mathematics, and process engineering, usually supported by a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen Plus or HYSYS), safety regulations, and laboratory analysis tools is commonly required. Strong problem-solving, project management, and teamwork skills help Chemical Engineers excel in collaborative and dynamic environments. These competencies are vital for designing efficient processes, ensuring safety, and driving innovation in chemical manufacturing and related industries.
More about Chemical Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chemical Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Chemical Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Chemical Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? For Chemical Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Chemical Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Chemical Engineer job openings:
Chemical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chemical Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $91,017 per year, or $43.8 per hour.
Senior Chemical Engineer/Chemist

Senior Chemical Engineer/Chemist

Leidos

Reston, VA • On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 149 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

67th of 488 rated business services

Job description

The Leidos Intelligence Group has an opening for a Chemical Engineer or a Chemist in Reston, Virginia. We are seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer or Chemist to lead reverse engineering analysis on defense industrial programs. You will leverage deep subject matter expertise to evaluate intelligence and open-source reporting, resolve contradictory data, and characterize lifecycles-from precursor development through Research and Develop, production, storage, and deployment. Work will be performed in a fast-paced, high-energy environment inside a government facility.
Primary Responsibility
  • Evaluate, contextualize, and deconflict all-source intelligence reporting, open-source data, and IC assessments regarding adversary chemical warfare capabilities in support of a common intelligence picture.
  • Conduct technical analysis using chemical engineering and scientific principles to identify and bridge intelligence gaps.
  • Characterize the adversary's end-to-end program, specifically detailing component procurement, precursor chemical synthesis, pilot and industrial scale production pathways, storage configurations, weaponization mechanics, and deployment methodologies.
  • Evaluate foreign CW/WMD doctrine, strategy, stockpile logistics, and research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) activities.
  • Identify and monitor procurement and proliferation (P2) entities, supply chains, and dual-use technology transfers involved in the foreign trade of chemical weapons, CW-related components, and chemical precursors.
  • Identify critical CW/WMD programmatic nodes, operational bottlenecks, and system vulnerabilities to support development of actionable concepts of operation and mitigation strategies.
  • Produce detailed, executive-level technical assessments and briefings for government leadership and interagency partners.

Qualifications
  • TS/SCI Clearance is required to be considered. Must be able to obtain Polygraph.
  • Must be a US Citizen
  • Requires deep domain knowledge of chemical weapon lifecycles, agent synthesis, process thermodynamics, agent degradation, pilot to industrial-scale equipment, and production plant layouts. Serves as subject matter expert within the technical domain.
  • Requires exceptional analytical problem-solving skills; proven ability to synthesize disparate, fragmented technical data through the application of advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts.
  • Typically requires BS degree and 12 - 15 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10 - 13 years of prior relevant experience.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to engage senior leadership and clients on technical strategy and results.

Preferred Qualifications
  • 10+ years of specialized experience in solving DoD engineering and scientific problems.
  • Direct experience with military operational planning and the functional defeat of hardened WMD targets.
  • Proficiency with chemical process modeling software and data programming languages for dataset analysis.
  • Strong working knowledge of standard IC and DoD databases (e.g., MIDB/MARS, TAC, Palantir) and cross-domain intelligence tools.

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:
July 1, 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00
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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