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Chief Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Program Chief Engineer Job Code: 42469 Job Location: Millersville, MD or Herndon, VA Job Schedule: 9/80 reg, with every other Friday off The Chief Engineer is responsible for shaping, developing, and ...

Chief Engineer

Chesapeake, VA ยท On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

MANAGED BY LTD HOSPITALITY GROUP Chief Engineer -- YourSpace Chesapeake Full-Time | Chesapeake, VA | $55,000-$65,000 base + bonus potential | Reports to the General Manager Most chief engineer jobs ...

Program Chief Engineer Job Code: 42469 Job Location: Millersville, MD or Herndon, VA Job Schedule: 9/80 reg, with every other Friday off The Chief Engineer is responsible for shaping, developing, and ...

New

Program Chief Engineer Job Code: 42469 Job Location: Millersville, MD or Herndon, VA Job Schedule: 9/80 reg, with every other Friday off The Chief Engineer is responsible for shaping, developing, and ...

Program Chief Engineer

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Program Chief Engineer Location: Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek seeks a Program Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for one or more programs in Fibertek's diverse ...

Program Chief Engineer

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Program Chief Engineer Location: Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek seeks a Program Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for one or more programs in Fibertek's diverse ...

Program Chief Engineer

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Program Chief Engineer Location: Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek seeks a Program Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for one or more programs in Fiberteks diverse ...

Program Chief Engineer

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Program Chief Engineer Location: Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek seeks a Program Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for one or more programs in Fibertek's diverse ...

Program Chief Engineer

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Program Chief Engineer Location: Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek seeks a Program Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for one or more programs in Fibertek's diverse ...

Program Chief Engineer

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Job Title Program Chief Engineer Location Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek seeks a Program Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for one or more programs in Fibertek ...

Chief Engineer

Manassas, VA ยท On-site

$125K - $185K/yr

The Chief Engineer will guide system architecture evaluations, technology selection, design integration, and performance optimization across the lifecycle of the program. This role requires deep ...

Program Chief Engineer Job Code: 42469 Job Location: Millersville, MD or Herndon, VA Job Schedule: 9/80 reg, with every other Friday off The Chief Engineer is responsible for shaping, developing, and ...

The Chief Operating Engineer is responsible for overseeing the safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and supervision of the facility's physical plant and building systems-including power plants ...

Chief Engineer

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$150 - $200/hr

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Chief Engineer to lead and oversee all engineering operations at our Arlington, VA facility. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing ...

Chief Engineer

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$150 - $200/hr

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Chief Engineer to lead and oversee all engineering operations at our Arlington, VA facility. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing ...

Assistant Chief Engineer

Richmond, VA ยท On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

The Assistant Chief Engineer plays an imperative role as the go-between resource for the engineering team, leadership, and the location's personnel. We need a dynamic team lead to help grow the ...

Chief Engineer

Lynchburg, VA ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Job Title Chief Engineer Location Property Department Maintenance Property, if applicable N/A FLSA Exempt Direct Supervisor General Manager Job Overview The Chief Engineer is responsible for leading ...

Showing results 41-60

Chief Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$32.2K

$92.1K

$179.4K

How much do chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief engineer in Virginia is $92,148.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chief engineer do?

A Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing the engineering operations of an organization or project. They lead engineering teams, manage technical projects, and ensure that systems and infrastructure are maintained and improved according to industry standards. Chief Engineers also develop policies, coordinate with other departments, and solve complex technical problems to support the organization's goals. Their role often involves budgeting, staff management, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

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

To thrive as a Chief Engineer, you need advanced engineering expertise, leadership experience, and a relevant degree such as a bachelor's or master's in engineering. Familiarity with project management tools, CAD software, and relevant certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are typically required. Outstanding problem-solving, communication, and team management skills help drive innovation and ensure smooth coordination across engineering teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for overseeing complex projects, maintaining high technical standards, and achieving organizational goals.

What are some common challenges chief engineers face when managing multidisciplinary engineering teams?

Chief Engineers often oversee teams that include specialists from various engineering disciplines, which can present challenges in aligning different technical perspectives and ensuring effective communication. Balancing project deadlines, resource allocation, and maintaining quality standards while navigating these differences is a frequent part of the role. Successful Chief Engineers foster strong collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, and implement standardized processes to address these challenges. They also play a key role in mentoring junior engineers and promoting professional development within the team.

What is the difference between Chief Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectChief EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, professional engineering license, leadership experienceEngineering degree, possibly licensure, technical skills
Work EnvironmentProject management, overseeing teams, strategic planningDesign, analysis, testing, and development of mechanical systems
Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospaceManufacturing, automotive, HVAC, robotics
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Chief Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The Chief Engineer typically oversees projects, manages teams, and ensures technical standards at a strategic level, often requiring leadership experience and licensure. Mechanical Engineers focus on designing, analyzing, and developing mechanical systems, working on technical tasks without the managerial responsibilities of a Chief Engineer. Both roles are vital in engineering industries, but the Chief Engineer holds a higher-level, supervisory position.

How much does a chief engineer earn?

A chief engineer's salary varies depending on industry, location, and experience, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. They often hold advanced technical skills and certifications, such as Professional Engineer (PE) licenses, which can influence compensation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Chief Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Chief Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Chief Engineer job openings in Virginia as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,148 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Program Chief Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Herndon, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers' mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Program Chief Engineer

Job Code: 42469

Job Location: Millersville, MD or Herndon, VA

Job Schedule: 9/80 reg, with every other Friday off

The Chief Engineer is responsible for shaping, developing, and leading an engineering team in execution of the Engineering content of the program and will be the primary program engineering representative for that program to the SBS Business Unit, working closely with the SBS Chief Engineer and General Manager. The position requires flexibility to manage multiple customer requirements (cost, schedule, technical capabilities), while using analytical and strategic skills to guide the engineering team to successful program deliveries of customer needs. A key part of this role is to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries and ensure programs are smoothly transitioned to production and deployment phases. The successful candidate is an experienced technical and business professional who is able to focus simultaneously on near and long term objectives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Technical leadership of a cross-functional engineering team throughout the full program lifecycle including design, development, manufacturing, formal hardware/software qualification, integration and test, transition to production, and production support.
  • Ability to direct and oversee seamless integration of mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems and systems; including internal and external stakeholders
  • Provide guidance and support to achieve project goals including participation in major design and milestone reviews, technical meetings, and project planning sessions
  • Technical leadership of a cross-functional engineering team throughout the full program lifecycle including design, development, manufacturing, formal hardware/software qualification, integration and test, and issue resolution.
  • Technical, cost, and schedule accountability for technical program execution.
  • Ability to direct and oversee seamless integration of mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems and systems; including internal and external stakeholders
  • Provide guidance and support to achieve project goals including major design and milestone reviews, technical meetings, and project planning sessions
  • Establish the engineering staffing demands and work plans for the business and collaborate with the functional engineering organization (matrix organization) to ensure appropriate resources are assigned to execute programs in accordance with time limitations and funding.
  • Develop and support a culture of continuous improvement and best practices.
  • Guide and review Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) efforts
  • Use tools such as Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) and engineering metrics to analyze program performance and apply corrective actions.
  • Support new business pursuits and proposal cost reviews to ensure proper technology readiness, Design to Cost, and resource alignment.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
  • Experience leading cross functional engineering teams through program lifecycles from proposal to production and sustainment.
  • Active DoD Secret Clearance, which requires US Citizenship.
  • Experience transitioning development programs through qualification to production.
  • Good working knowledge of Control Account Management (CAM) and Earned Value Management, Risk and opportunity management, as well as understanding and reporting of engineering metrics.
  • Ability to use engineering metrics, earned value metrics, and technical inputs to make decisions that drive positive program technical execution.
  • Prior experience operating within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment as a Program Chief Engineer or IPT/CAM on a program or Control account with >$10M/yr of engineering content (excluding material) and >$40M /yr total program value (including material).
  • Bid/Proposal experience including technical volume writing and BOE review and approval.
  • Experience presenting high-stakes technical briefs to internal and external stakeholders.

Desired Qualification:

  • Undersea / Subsea Systems expertise and experience
  • Undersea acoustics / sonar experience
  • Experience building and transforming a team to implement disciplined and rigorous engineering processes to successfully execute programs on cost and schedule
  • Design for Excellent (DfX) experience; Design for Manufacturability (DfM) in particular
  • DoD and International fixed priced development and qualification program execution experience
  • Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) experience
  • Familiarity using Jira for engineering metrics

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, Cleveland Ohio, Vermont and Virginia is [$137,500 MIN - $236,000 MAX]. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements. .

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

Employment Type: Full-Time