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Head Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Spgi

Head of Engineering - Inbound Data

Centreville, VA

$185K - $265K/yr

Basic Required Qualifications: * 15+ years of engineering experience with 5+ years directly managing and scaling large engineering teams at Director or Head of Engineering level, including experience ...

Rune Technologies

Head of Mission Success

Arlington, VA · On-site

Head Of Mission Success Rune Technologies builds mission-critical software for military logistics ... Collaborate cross-functionally with Rune Engineering, Product, Growth and Executive teams to ensure ...

Spgi

Head of Engineering - Inbound Data

Washington, DC · On-site

$185K - $265K/yr

Basic Required Qualifications: * 15+ years of engineering experience with 5+ years directly managing and scaling large engineering teams at Director or Head of Engineering level, including experience ...

Altus Technology Solutions

Junior Engineer

Indian Head, MD · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Indian Head, MD Schedule (FT/PT): Full Time Travel Required: No Shift: Day Remote Type: No Remote Clearance: Active U.S. DoD SECRET Security Clearance Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or ...

Altus Technology Solutions

Junior Engineer

Indian Head, MD · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Indian Head, MD Schedule (FT/PT): Full Time Travel Required: No Shift: Day Remote Type: No Remote Clearance: Active U.S. DoD SECRET Security Clearance Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or ...

Altus Technology Solutions

Junior Engineer

Indian Head, MD · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Indian Head, MD Schedule (FT/PT): Full Time Travel Required: No Shift: Day Remote Type: No Remote Clearance: Active U.S. DoD SECRET Security Clearance Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or ...

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All JobsHead Engineer JobsHead Engineer Jobs in Washington

Head Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$11

$42

$80

How much do head engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for head engineer in Washington is $42.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.45 and $51.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Head Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectHead EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentProject management, team leadership, strategic planningDesign, analysis, testing, and manufacturing
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, engineering firmsAutomotive, aerospace, robotics, manufacturing

The Head Engineer typically oversees engineering projects, manages teams, and sets strategic goals, requiring leadership skills and experience. Mechanical Engineers focus on designing, analyzing, and testing mechanical systems. While both roles require engineering credentials, the Head Engineer has a broader managerial scope, whereas Mechanical Engineers concentrate on technical tasks within their specialty.

What are some of the main challenges a head engineer faces when leading cross-functional engineering teams?

One of the primary challenges for a Head Engineer is ensuring effective communication and alignment among diverse teams, such as software, hardware, and quality assurance. Balancing technical leadership with management duties—like resource allocation and project prioritization—can also be demanding. Additionally, the Head Engineer must foster collaboration and innovation while maintaining project timelines and meeting business objectives. Addressing these challenges requires strong interpersonal skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to adapt to evolving project needs.

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

To thrive as a Head Engineer, you need advanced engineering expertise, project management experience, and typically a relevant engineering degree with professional certification (such as PE or equivalent). Familiarity with industry-standard software (like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or project management tools) and compliance with regulatory frameworks is crucial. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities set outstanding Head Engineers apart by enabling them to guide teams and drive innovation. These skills ensure successful project delivery, safety, and the development of efficient engineering solutions.
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Head Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Head Engineer job openings:
Head Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,949 per year, or $42.8 per hour.

Head of Forward Deployed Engineering

Motion Recruitment Partners, LLC

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

An early-stage defense AI startup building autonomous AI agents for national security and federal mission environments is hiring a Head of Forward Deployed Engineering. You'll lead the team responsible for bringing cutting-edge AI technology into customer environments, partnering closely with users while building scalable solutions using Python, TypeScript, modern AI frameworks, cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and distributed systems.
This is a unique opportunity to build and lead one of the company's most strategic engineering organizations from the ground up. You'll recruit, mentor, and grow a high-performing team while remaining close to customers solving real-world mission problems. They're looking for someone who has led forward deployed, solutions engineering, or customer-facing engineering teams in fast-moving environments and enjoys operating where technical leadership, product strategy, and customer success intersect. As the company grows, you'll play a major role in shaping both the engineering organization and the future of the product.
Required Skills & Experience
  • 8+ years of software engineering experience with at least 3+ years in forward-deployed or heavily customer-facing environments
  • Experience leading teams
  • Strong software development background using Python, Go, TypeScript, or similar languages
  • Experience building cloud-native applications on AWS or Kubernetes
  • Ability to work directly with customers, understand complex operational problems, and translate them into scalable software solutions
  • Experience mentoring, and growing engineering teams
  • Strong communication skills with executive-level customers and internal leadership
  • Startup or high-growth company experience strongly preferred
Desired Skills & Experience
  • Experience supporting defense, intelligence, or federal government customers
  • Experience with AI/LLMs, agentic AI systems, or machine learning platforms
  • Familiarity with distributed systems and modern infrastructure platforms
  • Previous experience at companies such as Palantir, Anduril, Scale AI, OpenAI, or similar mission-driven technology organizations
  • Having an active security clearance at TS or above
You will receive the following benefits:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k)
  • Paid Vacation & Holidays
  • Equity
  • Opportunity to build and lead a critical engineering function at a rapidly growing AI startup

Applicants must be currently eligible for a security clearance.
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