ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Freelance Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Fox

Freelance Transmission Operator

Washington, DC

$71 - $80.50/hr

Fox News is seeking a highly motivated Freelance Transmission Operator to join our Washington, D.C ... This role is essential to supporting on-air programming, collaborating with various teams across ...

Fox

Freelance Studio/Field Technician

Washington, DC

$22.25 - $30.50/hr

Fox News is looking for a dedicated and experienced Freelance Field/Studio Technician to support a ... for programming originating from the studio. This position requires on-site availability two to ...

National Academy of Sciences

Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

May coordinate freelance activities in the unit, including finding and coordinating work among ... Works with designers, graphic artists, layout specialists, web developers, marketing, and ...

Quidient

Staff iOS Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science or related engineering field. * 7+ years of industry experience in iOS development; freelance acceptable but must include experience with large ...

Red Carrot

Technical Director

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Coordinate with engineers to repair or replace faulty equipment as necessary. * Team Leadership ... Freelancer Coordination: * Identify the need for additional technical staff, such as cameramen or ...

Red Carrot

Technical Director

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Coordinate with engineers to repair or replace faulty equipment as necessary. * Team Leadership ... Freelancer Coordination: * Identify the need for additional technical staff, such as cameramen or ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEngineer JobsFreelance Engineer JobsFreelance Engineer Jobs in Washington

Freelance Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$16

$54

$149

How much do freelance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance engineer in Washington is $54.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.50 and $69.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance engineer?

Freelance engineers are independent professionals who offer engineering services on a contract or project basis, rather than working as full-time employees for a single company. They may provide expertise in areas such as software, mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering, working with multiple clients to solve technical problems, design systems, or develop products. Freelance engineers often set their own schedules, manage their workload, and negotiate their rates, allowing for greater flexibility and autonomy. However, they are also responsible for finding clients, managing business operations, and keeping their skills up to date.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance engineer?

To thrive as a Freelance Engineer, you need strong technical engineering expertise in your specialization, a relevant degree or certification, and a demonstrated portfolio of completed projects. Familiarity with industry-standard design software (such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or MATLAB), project management tools, and remote collaboration platforms is typically required. Exceptional communication, self-motivation, and time management skills help you attract clients, clarify project needs, and meet deadlines. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality work independently and ensuring sustained client satisfaction in a competitive freelance market.

How do freelance engineers typically manage client relationships and project expectations?

Freelance engineers often juggle multiple clients, making clear communication and expectation-setting essential. This means discussing project scope, deliverables, timelines, and rates upfront, and providing regular updates to clients throughout the project. Many freelance engineers use project management tools, contracts, and milestone check-ins to stay organized and ensure everyone is on the same page. Building trust through reliability and transparency can lead to repeat business and referrals, which are important for career growth in freelance engineering.

What is the difference between Freelance Engineer vs Contract Engineer?

AspectFreelance EngineerContract Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires relevant engineering degrees and certifications; no employer-specific credentials neededRequires engineering degrees and certifications; often involves contractual agreements with employers
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote or on-site projects for multiple clientsUsually on-site or remote, working on specific projects for a single employer during contract duration
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across various industries; self-employed or through platformsEmployed by companies or agencies for project-based work in engineering sectors

In summary, Freelance Engineers operate independently, often handling multiple clients, while Contract Engineers work on specific projects for a single employer under contractual terms. Both roles require engineering credentials but differ mainly in work setup and employment structure.

Can a freelance engineer be a freelancer?

A freelance engineer is a professional who offers engineering services independently, often working on a project basis for clients. Yes, they are considered freelancers, as they operate without long-term employment and typically manage their own schedules, tools, and contracts.

How much do freelance engineers make?

Freelance engineers' earnings vary based on experience, specialization, location, and project complexity, but they typically charge hourly rates ranging from $50 to $150 or more. Many freelance engineers work on a project basis or retainers, with annual incomes often between $60,000 and $120,000, depending on their skills and client base.

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

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Engineer jobs in Washington?

For Freelance Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Freelance Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Freelance Engineer job openings:

Freelance Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,388 per year, or $54 per hour.

Freelance Transmission Operator

Fox

Washington, DC

$71 - $80.50/hr

Part-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Fox News MediaFOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer digital streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the newly announced platform FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for 20 consecutive years, while FBN currently ranks among the top business channels on cable. Owned by FOX Corporation, FOX News Media reaches 200 million people each month.JOB DESCRIPTION

Fox News is seeking a highly motivated Freelance Transmission Operator to join our Washington, D.C., Bureau. This role is essential to supporting on-air programming, collaborating with various teams across the organization, and ensuring the seamless delivery of high-quality live news coverage.

The ideal candidate is a team player with a flexible schedule and the ability to work early mornings, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays in a fast-paced breaking-news environment.

A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Quickly and effectively troubleshoot live video and audio feeds to ensure they are recorded or on air during an evolving breaking-news environment

  • Work directly with control rooms to prepare in-studio live guests for air

  • Coordinate with internal departments to record live news video feeds from around the world

  • Partner with the satellite desk, media desk, field crews, and control room staff to support seamless transmission operations

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

  • Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent experience

  • Solid working knowledge of HD quality-control equipment

  • Ability to read scopes

  • Experience identifying and troubleshooting audio and video issues involving satellite and fiber transmission systems

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment

  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities under pressure

  • Availability to work weekends and overnight shifts

  • Familiarity with Media Pulse or ScheduALL, Verizon AVOC, LiveU and TVU-Media Hub is a plus

#LI-KC1

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.

Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $30.00-37.50 per hour.

Apply