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Design Development Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Hardware Design Engineer

College Park, MD ยท On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Conduct research, design, development, and testing of information processing hardware. * Analyze hardware configuration and processing solutions. * Test hardware conformance to specifications.

Hardware Design Engineer

College Park, MD ยท On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Conduct research, design, development, and testing of information processing hardware. * Analyze hardware configuration and processing solutions. * Test hardware conformance to specifications.

Graphics Design Intern

Washington, DC

$15.75 - $21/hr

Types of projects may include website design, print and online advertising, logo design and development, collateral design and event graphics design, and video creation and editing. Candidates must ...

... Development (DD), and Construction Documents (CD) that meet project requirements within the allocated schedule and budget, using best practices; collaborate with the electrical designers team to ...

Electrical Design Engineer

Fairfax, VA ยท On-site

$161K - $171K/yr

... Development (DD), and Construction Documents (CD) that meet project requirements within the allocated schedule and budget, using best practices; collaborate with the electrical designers team to ...

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Showing results 1-20

Design Development information

See Washington, DC salary details

$10

$24

$36

How much do design development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for design development in Washington, DC is $24.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.86 and $27.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Design Development vs Design Engineer?

AspectDesign DevelopmentDesign Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, architecture, or related fieldBachelor's or master's in engineering, design, or related discipline
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, design studios, project sitesEngineering offices, manufacturing plants, project sites
Industry UsageArchitecture, product design, industrial designMechanical, civil, electrical engineering projects

Design Development focuses on refining and evolving design concepts, often involving creative and aesthetic decisions. Design Engineers apply engineering principles to develop functional, safe, and manufacturable products or systems. While both roles require technical knowledge, Design Development emphasizes creative design progression, whereas Design Engineers focus on technical feasibility and engineering solutions.

What is a development designer?

A development designer is a professional involved in the design and planning phases of a project, often in fields like architecture, product design, or software development. They collaborate with engineers, architects, or developers to create detailed plans, prototypes, or models, utilizing tools such as CAD software or design programs. Strong creativity, technical skills, and understanding of project requirements are essential for this role.

What is the highest paid design job?

Senior roles in industrial, UX, or product design tend to be among the highest paid in the design field, often earning six-figure salaries. Executive-level design positions such as Creative Director or Design Director can also command high compensation, especially in large corporations or specialized industries.

What is design development?

Design development is a phase in the architectural and design process where initial concepts are refined into detailed plans and specifications. During this stage, designers work out the specifics of materials, dimensions, systems, and aesthetics, often collaborating with engineers and consultants. The goal is to translate ideas from the schematic design phase into precise documentation that can be used for construction. This stage helps ensure that the project is feasible, meets client needs, and complies with regulations.

What is the highest paying career in design?

In design, user experience (UX) directors and creative directors tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures, especially in large companies or tech industries. These roles require advanced skills in design, leadership, and strategic planning, and often involve managing teams and overseeing large projects.

What are some common challenges faced in a Design Development role and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Design Development often encounter challenges such as balancing creative vision with practical constraints like budget, timeline, and client requirements. Navigating feedback from multiple stakeholders and ensuring that design intent is maintained throughout the development process can also be demanding. These challenges can be addressed by fostering strong communication within cross-functional teams, maintaining detailed documentation, and using iterative design reviews to ensure alignment. By staying adaptable and solution-oriented, design development specialists can help bridge the gap between concept and execution.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

In design development, high-paying roles such as freelance designers, UX/UI specialists, or product developers can earn $10,000 or more monthly through project-based work, client contracts, or building a strong portfolio. Success often depends on skills, experience, reputation, and the ability to secure high-value projects without formal degrees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Design Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Design Development, you need a solid background in design principles, project management, and a relevant degree such as architecture, industrial design, or engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and design documentation systems is typically expected. Strong collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills help you effectively translate concepts into practical solutions and work within multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for delivering innovative, functional designs that meet client needs and project requirements.
Infographic showing various Design Development job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,430 per year, or $24.7 per hour.
Instructional Systems Design (ISD)

Instructional Systems Design (ISD)

Arcfield

Chantilly, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Responsibilities
The Sponsor is seeking a highly skilled and proactive Instructional Systems Design (ISD) professional to lead the design, development, and integration of comprehensive learning experiences focused on open-source and data tradecraft content. The ISD will serve as one of the lead instructional designers for course development, overseeing the creation of both live and digital learning opportunities, and collaborate with Sponsor schoolhouses and innovation accelerators to inform the design and delivery of digital learning content.
The ISD will be responsible for:
  • Analyze project requirements and develop comprehensive plans to integrate multiple components into cohesive learning solutions.
  • Design and deliver comprehensive training programs to support the professional development of personnel within the open source, OSINT, data sciences, and across the broader Sponsor community.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders, subject matter experts (SMEs), and vendors to gather information, validate requirements, and ensure alignment with project goals.
  • Design and develop learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse audiences, using a range of instructional strategies and technologies.
  • Represent the divisions at Course Review Boards (CRB).
  • Integrate multiple components, such as e-learning modules, videos, simulations, and assessments, into a seamless learning experience.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues, resolve conflicts, and manage project timelines.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of learning experiences and make recommendations for improvement.
  • Draft content for official communications (program calls, course advertisements, and others).
  • Briefing Sponsor components on events and programs.
  • Research and propose external or commercial curriculum, design, development, and instructional opportunities to add to the Sponsor specific occupational curriculum.
  • Provide input from SMEs to ensure that course content remains current and relevant to the needs of all Sponsor stakeholders.
  • Work closely with the Sponsor to analyze data, map skills to learning content and identify learning or skills gaps and assist with developing learning execution strategies to address these gaps either through design/development of Sponsor led course content or acquisition and delivery of commercial content.
  • The Contractor shall conduct research and outreach to identify and take advantage of commercial learning content or services that may fit Sponsor baseline requirements for IT learning.

Qualifications
  • Must possess and be able to maintain a TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
  • A degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a scientific or technical discipline.
  • BS 10-12, MS 8-10, PhD 5-7
  • Understanding of instructional design principles and theories (e.g., ADDIE, Bloom's Taxonomy).
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with stakeholders, subject matter experts, and vendors.
  • Ability to facilitate meetings, workshops, and other collaborative activities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to document project plans, progress, and outcomes.
  • Ability to analyze project requirements and integrate multiple components into a cohesive learning solution.
  • Strong organizational and coordination skills to manage multiple stakeholders, vendors, and timelines.
  • Experience with adult learning principles and diverse learning styles.
  • Ability to create engaging and interactive learning content.
  • Knowledge of assessment and evaluation strategies.
  • Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and resolve conflicts.
  • Experience presenting at Course Review Boards (CRBs).
  • Proficiency with authoring tools (Adobe Captivate, Lectora Inspire).
  • Knowledge of HTML and CSS.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with multimedia development tools (e.g., video editing, graphic design).
  • Familiarity with IC Connect and JavaScript.
  • Experience with the Sponsor's enterprise learning platform.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and federal government contractor. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment as protected by law.