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Contract Electrical Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Electrical Design Engineer

Fairfax, VA ยท On-site

$161K - $171K/yr

Electrical Design Engineer POSITION: Perform quality control on own work and work of Designer level staff, including drawings, RFI answers, and submittal reviews; collaborate with Sr. Engineer to ...

Electrical Design Engineer POSITION: Perform quality control on own work and work of Designer level staff, including drawings, RFI answers, and submittal reviews; collaborate with Sr. Engineer to ...

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Contract Electrical Design Engineer information

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior electrical design engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership roles can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-demand industries or with bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced certifications, a strong track record, and working in competitive or executive positions.

What are some common challenges faced by contract electrical design engineers, and how can they be managed effectively?

Contract electrical design engineers often face challenges such as rapidly adapting to new project requirements, learning unfamiliar software or standards, and integrating into existing teams. To manage these effectively, it's important to maintain strong communication with project managers and team members, proactively seek clarification on project specifications, and stay updated on industry standards. Being adaptable and having a structured approach to documentation and design reviews can also help ensure smooth project delivery and successful collaboration.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior electrical design engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in CAD software, and specialized knowledge in power systems or control engineering can earn $200,000 or more annually. High-level roles often require professional certifications, leadership responsibilities, and work in industries such as aerospace, energy, or large-scale manufacturing.

What is the difference between Contract Electrical Design Engineer vs Electrical Project Engineer?

AspectContract Electrical Design EngineerElectrical Project Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, relevant certifications (e.g., PE)Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, project management certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, client sites, freelance or contract basisConstruction sites, project offices, company-employed
Industry UsageConsulting firms, engineering contractors, freelance projectsConstruction firms, industrial plants, infrastructure projects
Job FocusDesign, drafting, specifications, and technical calculationsProject planning, coordination, execution, and oversight

The Contract Electrical Design Engineer primarily focuses on designing electrical systems and specifications, often working on a contractual basis. In contrast, the Electrical Project Engineer manages project execution, coordination, and delivery. Both roles require electrical engineering credentials but differ in scope and work environment.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior electrical design engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and often advanced certifications can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles. Achieving this level typically requires a combination of technical expertise, project management skills, and often working in competitive or high-cost regions.

What are Contract Electrical Design Engineers?

Contract Electrical Design Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test electrical systems and components for various projects, typically on a temporary or project-based contract. They often work for engineering firms, manufacturers, or directly with clients, providing expertise in circuit design, schematics, and compliance with relevant regulations. These engineers may be involved in sectors like construction, automotive, aerospace, or electronics, and their contract status allows companies to hire specialized talent as needed for specific projects.

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

To thrive as a Contract Electrical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, experience with circuit design, and typically a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency in CAD software such as AutoCAD or Altium Designer, as well as familiarity with industry standards and possibly a Professional Engineer (PE) license, is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication make candidates stand out in this project-based role. These skills ensure precise, efficient designs that meet client specifications and industry regulations, which is critical for project success and client satisfaction.

Can you make $500,000 as an Electrical Engineer?

Contract electrical design engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working on large-scale projects can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with overtime, bonuses, or consulting roles. However, such high earnings are uncommon and typically require senior positions, advanced certifications, or working in high-demand industries like energy or infrastructure. Most electrical engineers earn between $70,000 and $120,000 per year, with higher salaries possible in managerial or specialized roles.
What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Contract Electrical Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution.
Electrical Design Engineer

Electrical Design Engineer

Brown and Caldwell

Virginia Beach, VA โ€ข On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Electrical Design Engineer to join our growing team. Electrical design and equipment upgrades, medium and high voltage power distribution system design in an industrial setting, equipment design and selection including motor control centers, drives, switchgear, panelboards, substation transformers, and related equipment, drawing creation including one-lines, wiring diagrams, protective relays, breaker control schematic diagrams, and transfer schemes for plant power are all services in high demand from our clients. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a senior engineer to continue to build upon their engineering career, do challenging and meaningful work, and protect the earthโ€™s resources at the same time.

This person will be able to work remotely but will be required to travel to South Florida client sites occasionally.

For the right candidate, this position offers the opportunity for significant professional growth and the potential to collaborate with local and national teams. The candidate will have a broad range of responsibilities, which include mentoring junior and midlevel electrical and Instrumentation and Control (I&C) staff, interact with clients, manage electrical and I&C related projects, and participate in new business development.ย  In this role, your design delivery responsibilities will include power system modeling, conceptual design development, layout and selection of equipment, development of contract drawings using 2D and 3D design approaches, bid package preparation, field investigations, electrical and I&C design, and support during construction both in the office and the field. We are looking for candidates who have a passion for building things, meeting new people, and desire to work with professionals who perform industrial and municipal electrical, and other water/wastewater work.

The Electrical Design Engineering role confronts difficult problems related to electrical power distribution systems design, motor control systems design, and lighting systems design that may not have clearly defined solutions. The Electrical Engineering role supports projects of strategic importance and works independently with occasional guidance on essential and highly complex issues.

Responsibilitiesย 

  • Designย low-voltage (typically up to 480V) and medium-voltage (typically up to 15kV)ย electrical power distribution systemsย including switchgear, switchboards, motor control centers, distribution panels, and transformers.ย 
  • Oversee the design of conduit, duct bank, and cable tray systems.ย 
  • Coordinate the design of lighting systems.ย 
  • Coordinate with civil, structural, and mechanical disciplines.ย 
  • Prepareย constructionย specifications forย electrical equipmentย and systems.ย 
  • Performย engineering services during constructionย including submittal review and responding to requests for information (RFIs).ย 
  • Carry out short circuit, protective device coordination, and arc flash studies.ย 
  • Planย and track electrical scope, schedule, and budgetย at the project level.ย 
  • Flexibility to adapt and execute various additional assignments based on evolving needs.ย 

                  Mentorshipย ย 

                  • May provide mentorship, guidance, support, and knowledge-sharing to help less experienced team members develop their skills and grow within their roles.ย ย 

                  Skills and Competenciesย 

                  • Competency in electrical power distribution systems design.ย 
                  • Expertiseย in motor control systems design.ย 
                  • Proficiency in the design of conduit, duct bank, and cable tray systems.ย 
                  • Excellentย skillsย inย coordinatingย with civil, structural, and mechanical disciplines.ย 

                        Experienceย 

                        • Typically, a minimum ofย 5ย yearsย related work experience inย Electrical Engineeringย or relatedย field.ย 
                        • Has achieved or is working towards achieving professional license.ย 
                        • Typically certified in the SMS Framework, and progressing through the SMS competencies.ย 

                        Preferred Experience

                        • 8+ years of experience as an Electrical Engineer, with 3+ years acting as the Engineer of Record
                        • Leadership or mentorship experience

                          Educationย 

                          • A degree inย Electrical Engineeringย or related field,ย or equivalent experience is required.ย 

                          Salary Range:ย Theย anticipatedย starting payย range for this position is based on the employeeโ€™s primary work location and mayย beย more or lessย dependingย upon skills, experience,ย and education.ย  These ranges may be modified in the future.ย ย ย 

                          Location A: $95,000 - $129,000ย 

                          Location B: $104,000 - $142,000ย 

                          You can view which BC location applies to you here. If you have any questions, please speak with your Recruiter.ย ย 

                          Benefits and Other Compensation: ย We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee health, performance, and success which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off and parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, performance-based bonus eligibility, employee referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance and long-term care insurance. Click here to see our full list of benefits.ย ย 

                          About Brown and Caldwell ย ย 

                          Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction services firm with 50 offices and over 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For more than 75 years, we have created leading-edge environmental solutions forย municipalities, private industry, and government agencies. We strive to be the company of choiceโ€”to our clients, who benefit from our passion for delivering exceptional quality, and to our employees, present and future, who share our commitment to client service, collaboration, and innovation. Join us, and you will find a home where you can do your best work, reach new levels of expertise, and enjoy exceptional development opportunities. For more information, visitย www.brownandcaldwell.comย ย 

                          This position is subject to a pre-employment background check and a pre-employment drug test.ย ย ย 

                          Notice to Third Party Agencies: Brown and Caldwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with Brown and Caldwell, Brown and Caldwell reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. ย ย ย 

                          Brown and Caldwell is proud to be an EEO/AAP Employer. Brown and Caldwell encourages protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, and applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Brown and Caldwell ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

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