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Internship R&D Design Engineer Jobs in Fairfax, VA

Mechanical Design Engineer

Rockville, MD

$77K - $105K/yr

May include industry internship experience, hobby, or participation in collegiate engineering ... D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$77K - $105K/yr

May include industry internship experience, hobby, or participation in collegiate engineering ... D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an ...

STOL spearheads a variety of exciting R D projects involving emerging technologies, including but ... To promote these efforts, Leidos is looking for a onsite mid-level Software Engineer to join our ...

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security ... D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support ...

... Design Engineer who wants to do more than design a board. You'll own the design of the payload ... Person. We'd Like to See: * Experience with GNSS, precision timing, or oscillator and clock ...

... Cloud Engineer that will be playing a key role in helping on enabling Analytics Tools used for ... Design, develop, test, and support R programs to execute modeling application systems via ...

Fire Protection Design Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site +1

$84K - $114K/yr

... R, and Regulatory Guide 1.189 * Create and maintain CAD-generated engineering models for fire ... D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an ...

Fire Protection Design Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$84K - $114K/yr

... R, and Regulatory Guide 1.189 * Create and maintain CAD-generated engineering models for fire ... D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an ...

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Showing results 1-20

Internship R D Design Engineer information

See Fairfax, VA salary details

$9

$19

$37

How much do internship r&d design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship r&d design engineer in Fairfax, VA is $19.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.76 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Internship R&D Design Engineer vs R&D Design Engineer?

AspectInternship R&D Design EngineerR&D Design Engineer
QualificationsEnrolled in or recent graduate of relevant engineering programsBachelor's or higher in engineering, with experience preferred
Work EnvironmentPart-time or temporary, supervised, learning-focusedFull-time, project-driven, independent responsibilities
ResponsibilitiesAssist in design tasks, learn processes, support R&D projectsLead design development, optimize products, collaborate with teams

Internship R&D Design Engineers are typically students or recent graduates gaining practical experience, while R&D Design Engineers are full-time professionals responsible for designing and developing products. The internship role offers learning opportunities with supervision, whereas the full engineer role involves independent work and project ownership.

What job categories do people searching Internship R&D Design Engineer jobs in Fairfax, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship R&D Design Engineer jobs in Fairfax, VA are:

Infographic showing various Internship R&D Design Engineer job openings in Fairfax, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,198 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Intern - Design Engineer

Dulles, VA


Southland Industries Inc.

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


Full-time, Internship

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Alternate locations include Dulles, VA, Boydton, VA, and Laurel, MD

Our Internship and New College Graduate program is best designed for those students who seek a truly immersive and hands-on experience. At Southland, we view every student as a potential hire and ensure each intern, co-op student, and every new college graduate is truly set up for success to accomplish short and long term career goals. If a student program that exposes you to exciting projects and potential career paths with one of the country’s largest MEP building systems firms appeals to you and you're ready for the next big step in your career, then JOIN our team and become a part of an organization that values PEOPLE, SAFETY, INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY.

Position Summary

Our internship program is designed to introduce candidates to a career in the field of Design Engineering for the Design/Build HVAC, Plumbing and Fire Protection industry. Primary responsibility is to assist the design team in all aspects of our work.

Position Details

  • Assist Senior Engineers in design tasks as required.
  • Perform basic deliverables and products such as calculations, drawings, and specifications related to heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems under supervision of Senior Engineers.
  • Perform basic calculations for a project, such as heating/cooling loads, equipment selection, and sizing, pipe and duct sizing, friction loss calculations, etc.
  • Assist in coordinating all aspects of the project design with project management, architects, and other trades through the completion phase of a project.
  • Perform and check CADD drafting work.
  • Review applicable codes and criteria and examine field conditions as required to support design of project.

Qualifications

  • You’re pursuing a degree that aligns with Southland needs: a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering; or in a related field. Completion of classes in Thermodynamics and HVAC Design is highly desirable.
  • A strong work ethic
  • Initiative and drive to get the job done
  • Strong communication skills
  • The ability to be resourceful and resilient
  • Able to solve problems with limited support
  • Quick learner, seeks answers on their own
  • Positive attitude during adverse/non-ideal situations
  • Exercises Accountability in stressful situations (avoids placing blame)
  • Goal Oriented
  • Collaborative spirit and a Good Teammate – has a “We vs. Me” attitude
  • Strong active listening skills
  • Competent general business writing and public speaking

What you’ll gain from our Student Programs at Southland Industries:

  • You’ll increase your knowledge of HVAC design to include types of equipment utilized in the industry as well as general understanding of system operations (i.e. variable air, constant volume, refrigeration cycle.)
  • You’ll have the ability to communicate with all levels of management, including project management and field trades.
  • You’ll learn to read mechanical and plumbing plans.
  • You’ll be able to strengthen your general business writing skills and gain additional experience with CADD and other products.

Internship/Co-op Program Benefits:

  • Hands-on classroom and on-the-job experience in your specific role
  • Opportunity to work side by side with company leaders
  • Socially distant group activities and team events
  • Paid housing (some locations)
  • Paid internship/Co-op
  • Potential full-time employment opportunities

Full-time Employee Benefits

As a 100% employee-owned company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package for you and your family:

  • 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
  • Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
  • Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
  • Disability income protection insurance
  • Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
  • Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
  • Wellness benefits

About Southland Industries

As one of the nation’s largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation. If you want to join a fast-paced environment where you’re engaged, challenged, and valued, apply now to join our dynamic team.

To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, follow us on social media, and check out our website.

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Pay:  For Maryland-based internship roles, the pay rate is set at $26.00 per hour, in alignment with program guidelines and market standards.

Contingent Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.

External Agency Announcement: Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).


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