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Design Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

The Electronic Warfare Division of Leidos is seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to support Circuit Board and FPGA Firmware Design Engineering work with a multi-disciplined design team (electrical ...

Design Engineer Associate

Tysons, VA · On-site

$75K - $94K/yr

Uses the electrical engineering web site to access department guides and standards * Assist other engineers in producing conceptual design to construction documents from utilization voltage to low ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Rockville, MD

$77K - $105K/yr

This role is responsible for the engineering design and development of mechanical systems, structures, and components such as Reactor Internal Structures, Steam Generator System, Helium Circulator ...

Hardware Design Engineer

College Park, MD · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description Gardetto Engineering, an SAIC company is seeking a Hardware Design Engineer in College Park, MD . This position requires an active TS/SCI with poly. Job responsibilities ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$77K - $105K/yr

This role is responsible for the engineering design and development of mechanical systems, structures, and components such as Reactor Internal Structures, Steam Generator System, Helium Circulator ...

Airframe Design Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$92K - $112K/yr

The Role Electra is seeking a Airframe Design Engineer to help the design, integration, and development of primary and secondary structures for our nine-passenger EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft. In ...

Hardware Design Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$125K - $270K/yr

Worker Type Regular The primary role of the Hardware Design Engineer is hands-on engineering, focused on embedded electronics, subsystem integration, and associated testing. You will work closely ...

PCB Design Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Design Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$41.3K

$89.8K

$161.5K

How much do design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for design engineer in Washington, DC is $89,802.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,300.00 and $100,300.00 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 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 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 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.

What jobs can a design engineer do?

A design engineer creates and develops new products, systems, or structures across industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and manufacturing. They use CAD software, perform simulations, and collaborate with teams to ensure functionality and safety. Design engineers often work in research and development, product design, or process improvement roles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Design Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,802 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Hardware Design Engineer

Leidos

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 153 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 500 rated business services


Job description

The Electronic Warfare Division of Leidos is seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to support Circuit Board and FPGA Firmware Design Engineering work with a multi-disciplined design team (electrical engineers, systems engineers, scientists, etc) to design, develop, simulate, and integrate challenging digital designs and RF sensor systems based on given project requirements. Candidate will have a strong background in high-speed digital design in support of a fast paced, multi-disciplinary design team. This role will also support integration, test, and verification in the final products. This position is expected to be part-time or full-time and could support telecommuting options depending on the candidate.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Proficient in schematic design and BOM generation for higher-speed digital and mix-signal circuit card designs.
• Analyze, design, simulate, and implement algorithms in hardware descriptor languages, HDL (VHDL, Verilog), based on customer requirements and/or model(s).
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplined design team (electrical engineers, systems engineers and scientists) to design and integrate challenging FPGA designs and RF sensor systems.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplined design team to design and integrate DSP applications for latest System on a Chip (SoC) implementations such as AMD/Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+, Intel Agilex, and AMD/Xilinx RFSoC.
• Analyze, design, and implement HDL test benches in hardware description languages, HDL (VHDL, Verilog), for code validation and validation against models.
• Perform design constraints generation and verification as well as evaluate synthesis and timing performance reports.
• Analyze, design, simulate, and implement designs which interface to common signaling standards, typical IP such as SERDES, PLLS, etc. and/or protocols such PCIe, JESD204B/C, LVDS, etc.
• Analyze schematic diagrams for either custom or commercial-off-the shelf (COTS) electronic hardware involving high-speed digital and/or analog circuitry in associated FPGA-centric systems.
• Develop and maintain requirements documents, functional specification documents, interface control documents, etc.
• Develop project test plans and test procedures, provide test planning support, and assist in the execution of both lab testing and occasional field testing.
• Conduct experimental tests on state-of-the-art FPGA and SoC evaluation boards, evaluate results, and then develop specifications for selecting next-generation components.
• Work on problems of diverse scope, determining methods and procedures to be used on new assignments, and providing feedback and recommendations to other technical personnel.
• Some travel and work at remote sites for limited time periods may be occasionally required.
At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits http://www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits, including 4 or more weeks Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in Electronic Warfare Technology!
Basic Qualifications:
• Ability to be granted a security clearance
• Experience with at least one FPGA integrated design and simulation environment tool and such as Xilinx Vivado/Vitis and Siemens ModelSim
• Experience with at least one schematic entry and PCB Layout tool set such as Altium, KiCad, or Cadence Allegro/OrCad.
• Experience with hardware integration, test and debug tools (high-speed logic analyzers, scopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.)
• Proficiency in general computer skills such as Microsoft office Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or related degree
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
Bonus Qualifications:
• MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or related
• Experience writing test software in C/C++ or other language to validate design
• Knowledge in the areas of performance characteristics of analog data converters, ADCs/DACs
• ARM or RISC-V embedded processor based SoC design experience
• Familiarity with electrical and mechanical standards such as FMC and VPX
• Experience in signal processing theory and communications systems and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in resolving real world problems
• Experience with MATLAB signal processing environment
• Existing Secret (or above) Clearance
NKE
ElectronicWarfare
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 22, 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00
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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