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Engineering Leadership Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Engineering Leader 2

Tysons, VA · On-site

$161K - $168K/yr

Responsibilities Engineering Leadership and Project Execution * Lead the engineering definition, design integration, and technical execution of power generation and utility infrastructure scope ...

Engineering Manager

Linthicum, MD · On-site

$124 - $186/hr

This role combines technical leadership, people leadership, and hands‑on engineering execution. Initially, the successful candidate will operate as a working manager, directly contributing to ...

This role combines technical leadership, people leadership, and hands-on engineering execution. Initially, the successful candidate will operate as a working manager, directly contributing to ...

This role combines technical leadership, people leadership, and hands-on engineering execution. Initially, the successful candidate will operate as a working manager, directly contributing to ...

Engineering Manager

Linthicum, MD · On-site

$124 - $186/hr

Engineering Leadership * Lead engineering activities supporting the existing product portfolio throughout the product lifecycle. * Own execution of engineering priorities, including product ...

Experience leading teams and departments in meeting continuous improvement goals, making step ... S. in Engineering * Manufacturing experience in one or more of the following: * Advanced Cells ...

This leader will oversee internal engineers, external engineering partners, and QA resources while partnering closely with Product, Digital, Business Systems, Marketing, Lifecycle, CX, and Operations ...

This leader will oversee internal engineers, external engineering partners, and QA resources while partnering closely with Product, Digital, Business Systems, Marketing, Lifecycle, CX, and Operations ...

This leader will oversee internal engineers, external engineering partners, and QA resources while partnering closely with Product, Digital, Business Systems, Marketing, Lifecycle, CX, and Operations ...

Deputy Engineering Leader

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$104K - $130K/yr

They provide engineering leadership for the functional, physical, commissioning and project engineering disciplines, as well as being responsible for client ownership, engineering finances and ...

Head of Product Engineering

Herndon, VA · On-site

$171K - $177K/yr

Leadership Expectations This role will: * Create a culture of execution and operational excellence. * Build trust through transparency, accountability, and disciplined decision-making. * Lead ...

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Showing results 1-20

Engineering Leadership information

See Washington salary details

$52.7K

$166.3K

$197.1K

How much do engineering leadership jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering leadership in Washington is $166,342.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,900.00 and $195,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is engineering leadership?

An Engineering Leadership job involves guiding and managing engineering teams to deliver technical projects effectively. Leaders in this role balance technical expertise with team management, ensuring productivity, innovation, and alignment with business goals. Responsibilities often include hiring, mentoring engineers, setting technical direction, and collaborating with other departments. Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in engineering leadership?

To thrive in Engineering Leadership, you need a robust background in engineering principles, project management, and team oversight, typically backed by an engineering degree and experience in technical roles. Familiarity with project management tools like Jira, agile methodologies, and certifications such as PMP or Six Sigma are valued. Strong communication, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking distinguish top performers in this position. These skills ensure effective guidance of engineering teams, successful project delivery, and alignment with organizational goals.

What are the common challenges faced in engineering leadership roles and how can they be addressed?

Engineering Leadership roles often involve balancing technical priorities, managing diverse teams, and aligning project goals with business objectives. Leaders may face challenges such as resolving resource constraints, integrating new technologies, and navigating stakeholder expectations. Success in this role requires proactive communication, continuous team development, and flexibility in problem-solving. By building strong relationships across departments and fostering a culture of innovation, engineering leaders can effectively guide their teams through complex projects and drive impactful results.

How to get into engineering leadership?

To enter engineering leadership, professionals typically need several years of technical experience, strong problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities. Gaining management experience, developing communication skills, and pursuing relevant certifications or advanced degrees can also support advancement into leadership roles.

What is the hierarchy of engineering leadership positions?

Engineering leadership positions typically follow a hierarchy starting from Engineering Manager or Lead Engineer, progressing to Director of Engineering, then Vice President of Engineering, and ultimately Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Each level involves increasing responsibility for strategic planning, team management, and technical decision-making. Advancement often requires strong technical skills, leadership ability, and experience managing larger teams or projects.
Infographic showing various Engineering Leadership job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $166,342 per year, or $80 per hour.

Engineering Leader 2

M.C. Dean, Inc

Tysons, VA • On-site

$161K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

266th of 449 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-agility, expertise, and trust-we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
Responsibilities
Engineering Leadership and Project Execution
  • Lead the engineering definition, design integration, and technical execution of power generation and utility infrastructure scope across complex projects and pursuits.
  • Support development of integrated power solutions for behind-the-meter and grid-connected applications serving mission-critical, industrial, infrastructure, and other large-load environments.
  • Serve as a lead technical point of coordination across electrical, mechanical, controls, civil, utility, construction, commissioning, procurement, and client stakeholders.
  • Provide engineering leadership through all phases of project delivery, including conceptual design, proposal support, detailed engineering, procurement support, construction support, startup, and turnover.
  • Support scope definition, design basis development, equipment selection, technical narratives, risk identification, cost input, and schedule input during pursuits and early-stage project development.
  • Help align engineering deliverables with project objectives related to reliability, operability, constructability, maintainability, quality, safety, and commercial execution.
  • Elevate technical consistency by identifying lessons learned, improving engineering workflows, and supporting the development of repeatable practices across the Power & Utilities portfolio.

Electrical Power Systems Design
  • Originate, develop, and execute electrical designs with limited supervision from senior engineering leadership.
  • Design and integrate medium-voltage and high-voltage substations, local transmission systems, medium-voltage distribution systems, and low-voltage distribution systems.
  • Develop protection and control schemes, electrical layouts, one-line diagrams, grounding systems, cable routing, duct banks, equipment layouts, and installation details.
  • Support design of emergency power, black start power, UPS systems, backup generation, and resilient distribution systems for mission-critical applications.
  • Coordinate electrical device locations and system interfaces with mechanical, plumbing, controls, civil, architectural, and other project disciplines.
  • Develop lighting layouts and perform lighting calculations as required.
  • Prepare project specifications for electrical equipment, power systems, installation methods, and commissioning requirements.

Power Plant Design and System Integration
  • Lead or support engineering for gas-fired generation and related utility infrastructure, including reciprocating engine systems, combustion turbine systems, simple cycle plants, combined cycle facilities, cogeneration systems, and hybrid energy configurations as required by project scope.
  • Support plant electrical integration, auxiliary system coordination, controls interfaces, equipment arrangement, and overall system architecture for reliable project execution.
  • Review and contribute to core engineering deliverables, including one-line diagrams, electrical studies, design calculations, equipment specifications, layouts, PFDs, P&IDs, control narratives, and commissioning documentation.
  • Interface effectively with OEMs, major equipment suppliers, utilities, ISO/RTO stakeholders, subcontractors, and internal project teams to resolve design issues and maintain execution momentum.
  • Support technical coordination across generation, substation, utility interconnection, fuel systems, controls, storage integration, and balance-of-plant interfaces.
  • Provide engineering support during procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and turnover, including issue resolution and technical decision-making in schedule-driven environments.

Power System Analysis and Technical Studies
  • Perform and review power system studies and technical analyses as required by project scope, including short-circuit, coordination, arc flash, load flow, cable, grounding, duct bank, transient, stability, and related system studies.
  • Support utility and ISO/RTO interconnection activities, including applications, technical submittals, study support, compliance documentation, and responses to stakeholder comments.
  • Contribute to technical risk assessments, constructability reviews, quality reviews, and other engineering evaluation processes used to improve project outcomes.
  • Support comparative analysis of technical alternatives, lifecycle considerations, and solution tradeoffs to help guide engineering recommendations and client decision-making.
  • Assist with performance evaluation and optimization of integrated power systems, including considerations related to output, availability, resilience, maintainability, efficiency, and operational flexibility.

Controls, Commissioning, and Startup Support
  • Support the design and integration of plant and system controls, including PLC, DCS, SCADA, generator controls, synchronization, load sharing, and remote monitoring interfaces as applicable.
  • Contribute to commissioning planning and execution, including functional testing, protection system validation, controls verification, synchronization testing, startup support, and performance validation.
  • Develop, review, or support commissioning procedures, scripts, test documentation, turnover packages, and system validation plans.
  • Provide troubleshooting and technical support during construction, commissioning, startup, and early operations to help resolve field issues and improve system performance.
  • Support handover to operations and maintenance teams through coordinated turnover documentation, as-built support, training input, and closeout activities.

Utility, Fuel, and Energy Infrastructure Coordination
  • Coordinate with electric utilities, transmission providers, ISO/RTO entities, and other relevant stakeholders to support interconnection, energization, testing, and commercial operation requirements.
  • Coordinate with fuel gas, mechanical, and utility infrastructure teams on gas supply, metering, pressure regulation, fuel reliability, and related balance-of-plant interfaces.
  • Support evaluation and integration of adjacent technologies where relevant to customer needs, including battery energy storage, hybrid configurations, demand response, hydrogen-ready generation strategies, and other future-facing energy solutions.
  • Ensure engineering work is performed in accordance with applicable codes, standards, utility requirements, customer requirements, and project-specific technical criteria.
  • Coordinate with electric utilities, ISOs/RTOs, and regulatory stakeholders to support grid interconnection, compliance, energization, and commercial operation requirements.
  • Coordinate with mechanical, utility, and fuel infrastructure teams on natural gas systems, including pipeline interconnections, metering, pressure regulation, and fuel reliability strategies.
  • Support evaluation of hybrid energy strategies, including integration with battery energy storage, demand response, grid services, hydrogen-ready generation, carbon reduction strategies, and future-ready energy technologies.
  • Ensure designs comply with applicable IEEE, NEC, NESC, NFPA, ASME, ANSI, utility, client, and project-specific standards.

Design Tools, Documentation, and Quality
  • Develop and document design work using Revit, AutoCAD, and other 2D/3D design platforms.
  • Prepare, review, and maintain drawings, specifications, calculations, reports, design narratives, equipment schedules, and engineering documentation.
  • Use engineering analysis tools such as ETAP, SKM, AGI32, PSS/E, PSCAD, Thermoflow/GT PRO, Aspen, or similar platforms as required by project scope.
  • Perform quality control checks of personal work product and work product prepared by others.
  • Review project equipment submittals, respond to Requests for Information, and provide technical support to construction and operations management.
  • Coordinate engineering deliverables with project schedules, procurement timelines, construction sequencing, and commissioning milestones.

Team Leadership and Mentorship
  • Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers through assignment planning, technical guidance, review, and coaching.
  • Coordinate and review work performed by other engineering team members within assigned scope.
  • Support the development of engineering standards, design references, templates, and best practices that improve consistency and scalability across the organization.
  • Promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced engineering and construction environment.
  • Contribute technical insight to business growth by supporting proposal strategy, client engagement, solution development, and the evolution of M.C. Dean's power and utility capabilities.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a related engineering or related discipline from an accredited program.
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in engineering design and delivery for power generation, utility infrastructure, mission-critical facilities, industrial power systems, or building power systems.
  • Experience leading or supporting the design and integration of energy, utility, power generation, substation, or electrical distribution systems.
  • Strong technical knowledge of electrical power systems, including medium-voltage and low-voltage distribution, substations, protection and controls, grounding, emergency power, and backup generation.
  • Working knowledge of natural gas-fired generation systems, including reciprocating engines, combustion turbines, simple cycle, combined cycle, cogeneration, or distributed generation applications.
  • Familiarity with utility interconnection, grid-connected systems, electrical studies, utility standards, and regulatory requirements.
  • Experience preparing and reviewing design documentation, specifications, calculations, equipment selections, and construction support deliverables.
  • Proficiency with Revit and Microsoft Office.
  • Ability to lead technical tasks, coordinate across disciplines, and support multiple concurrent priorities.
  • Ability to communicate technical information clearly to project teams, clients, construction teams, vendors, and senior leadership.
  • Ability to travel to project sites as required, including extended site engagement when project needs dictate.
  • Valid driver's license and ability to access project sites.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, Business, Construction Management, or a related field.
  • EIT certification or progress toward Professional Engineer licensure.
  • Professional Engineer license.
  • 8+ years of experience in power generation, utility infrastructure, mission-critical power, industrial energy systems, or related sectors.
  • Experience with gas turbine power plant design, combined cycle integration, substations, transmission interconnection, and balance-of-plant systems.
  • Experience with major generation technologies, including aero-derivative and heavy-duty turbine applications.
  • Experience with engineering and analysis software such as AutoCAD, ETAP, SKM, AGI32, PSS/E, PSCAD, Aspen, Thermoflow/GT PRO, or similar platforms.
  • Experience with plant controls, PLC/DCS systems, SCADA, generator controls, synchronization, and load-sharing strategies.
  • Experience supporting commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and performance improvement for operating assets.
  • Knowledge of decarbonization and emerging energy technologies, including hydrogen blending, carbon capture, hybrid systems, battery energy storage, and demand response.
  • Strong commercial awareness and ability to support business development, proposal strategy, and client engagement.
  • Knowledge of international project execution and standards.

Leadership Expectations
  • Demonstrates senior technical judgment, ownership, and accountability for engineering outcomes within assigned scope.
  • Leads through influence across multidisciplinary teams and aligns technical decisions with project priorities and client objectives.
  • Builds credibility with clients, project leadership, vendors, and internal stakeholders through clear communication and sound engineering rationale.
  • Operates effectively in a schedule-driven environment while maintaining a high standard for safety, quality, reliability, and constructability.
  • Develops people, strengthens engineering discipline, and contributes to the long-term capability of the organization.

Abilities:
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects w

What M.C. Dean employees say

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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