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Design Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Mu-Del Electronics

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PCB Design Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

Position Overview Mu-Del Electronics is seeking a highly skilled PCB Design Engineer with strong experience in high-speed, mixed-signal, and RF circuit design. This role will be responsible for end ...

GILL ENGINEERING GROUP PLC

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Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$106.50K - $143.30K/yr

Design of power distribution systems, lighting, controls engineering for buildings. b. Production of drawings and specifications for construction and permit. c. Assuring conformance with department ...

TAI

Mechanical Design Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$75K - $105K/yr

Developing preliminary and detailed engineering designs. * Performing mechanical design and drafting. * Creating drawing specifications. * Collaborating with vendors for equipment selections.

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Design Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$42.1K

$91.7K

$164.9K

How much do design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for design engineer in Reston, VA is $91,707.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,700.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Design Engineer?

Design engineers develop ideas for new products and determine ways to improve existing products. As a design engineer, you put a creative perspective on your technical engineering knowledge to perform your job duties, which include creating sketches of design ideas and using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to generate plans for prototypes. To ensure the product is viable, you also evaluate other aspects of the product design, such as safety, cost, sustainability, aesthetics, and user experience. You collaborate with a team of technicians and other engineers to run tests, troubleshoot problems, and ultimately produce a newly designed product.

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

To thrive as a Design Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with tools like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and simulation software, along with certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE), are commonly required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with teams and translating ideas into workable designs. These abilities ensure innovative, efficient, and manufacturable solutions that meet both technical and client requirements.

How does a Design Engineer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

Design Engineers regularly work alongside teams such as manufacturing, quality assurance, and product management to ensure that designs are both innovative and feasible for production. Collaboration often involves participating in cross-functional meetings, reviewing prototypes, and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders. This teamwork is essential to address technical and practical challenges early in the design process, which ultimately helps in delivering a successful product to market. Strong communication and adaptability are key skills for thriving in this collaborative environment.

What does a Design Engineer do?

A Design Engineer is responsible for creating and developing new products, systems, or structures by combining engineering principles with creative design. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce detailed drawings and specifications, working closely with other engineers and teams to ensure functionality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Design Engineers are involved in every stage of product development, from initial concept through prototyping, testing, and final production. Their work often requires problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly.

What is the difference between Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectDesign EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Design certifications often preferredBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license optional
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, CAD software, project planningManufacturing plants, labs, fieldwork, CAD and testing
Employer & Industry UsageProduct design firms, automotive, aerospace, consumer goodsManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy sectors

Design Engineers focus on creating and developing product designs using CAD tools, while Mechanical Engineers often work on the broader application, testing, and manufacturing of mechanical systems. Both roles require engineering degrees, but Design Engineers typically emphasize design skills and software proficiency, whereas Mechanical Engineers may engage more in analysis and system integration.

More about Design Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
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What job categories do people searching Design Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Design Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Design Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Design Engineer job openings:
Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,707 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Electrical Design Engineer

Worldwide Mission Critical LLC

Chantilly, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

Description:

As an Electrical Design Engineer, you will play a critical role in guiding the planning, coordination, and execution of advanced electrical systems on large-scale infrastructure projects. You will work cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to ensure that all designs are technically robust, code-compliant, and aligned with project objectives. Your focus will be on delivering reliable, efficient, and scalable electrical solutions while upholding safety, quality, cost, and schedule commitments.

Requirements:

· Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Power Engineering with electrical building systems emphasis.

· Revit BIM design experience required.

· Proficiency in power distribution and lighting design, including controls implementation.

· Experience with short circuit analysis and utilization of analytical modeling software such as SKM or similar tools.

· Strong background in the design, construction, and commissioning of medium and low voltage electrical distribution systems, and power management or SCADA tools.

· Preferred qualifications include a Professional Engineering (PE) license.

· Experience in mission-critical facilities and their electrical/mechanical infrastructure.

· Knowledge and experience in estimating, electrical design, operation, and commissioning of substations, switchgear, and power monitoring.

· Minimum 5 years' experience in A/E industry preferred.

· Comprehensive understanding of professional services from conceptual design through project close-out.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, and ability to motivate and mentor staff.

· Familiarity with sustainable design approaches and related project impacts.

· Passion for improving workflows and mentoring team members.

· Proficient with Microsoft Productivity Suite products.


Job Responsibilities

· You will serve as a key liaison between internal departments, external consultants, contractors, and the Engineer of Record (EoR) to troubleshoot and resolve electrical design challenges.

· You will lead the development and review of electrical documents, including one-line diagrams, load calculations, panel schedules, submittals, technical studies, and RFIs.

· You will research and develop emerging trends and new technologies to optimize electrical systems and infrastructure in data centers, enhancing efficiency, reliability, and scalability.

· You will be responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of design packages by identifying bottlenecks, introducing efficiencies, and proactively managing evolving project requirements.

· You will ensure electrical systems meet all applicable codes and standards (NEC, IEEE, IEC) while maintaining design quality and mitigating technical risk.

· You will contribute to budget management by evaluating the cost impact of design changes, tracking electrical expenditures, and analyzing contractual obligations tied to the EoR.

· You will participate in risk assessment and commissioning efforts, including factory and site acceptance testing, milestone inspections, and integration verification.

· You will coordinate closely with mechanical, controls, and architectural teams to ensure the electrical systems are fully integrated into the broader design framework.

· You will mentor and support junior engineers, reinforcing consistent design practices and ensuring knowledge continuity across the team.

· You will help capture lessons learned and apply them to improve future design processes, standards, and project outcomes.

· You will support construction activities in the field, resolving installation issues, conducting walkthroughs, and ensuring a successful handoff to operations.