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Lab Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC has an opportunity for a Lab Systems Engineer to join an elite Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) team in Chantilly, VA . We need a proactive, detail ...

Lab Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC has an opportunity for a Lab Systems Engineer to join an elite Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) team in Chantilly, VA . We need a proactive, detail ...

Lab Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC has an opportunity for a Lab Systems Engineer to join an elite Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) team in Chantilly, VA . We need a proactive, detail-oriented systems ...

Showing results 21-40

Lab Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$16

$47

$71

How much do lab engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab engineer in Virginia is $47.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.44 and $59.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lab engineer do?

Lab Engineers are professionals responsible for designing, maintaining, and operating laboratory equipment and systems. They work in various fields such as electronics, chemistry, or biomedical engineering, ensuring experiments and tests are conducted accurately and safely. Lab Engineers also troubleshoot technical issues, calibrate equipment, and often assist researchers or students with their projects. Their work is critical for supporting research and development, quality control, and product testing.

What is a lab engineer?

A lab engineer is responsible for the IT infrastructure of a laboratory. As a lab engineer, your job duties include conducting technical evaluations of hardware equipment and software, deploying code, troubleshooting and fixing issues, maintaining the server and network systems, and coordinating with scientists, lab technicians, system engineers, and operations staff. You need a bachelor’s degree in a technical field and experience with networking principles, middleware platform, and database connectivity. You can find lab engineer jobs in the science and medical research industry.

What are some common challenges faced by lab engineers and how can they be addressed?

Lab Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions, managing multiple experiments simultaneously, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. Staying organized and maintaining detailed documentation can help manage workload and prevent errors. Regular communication with team members and ongoing training on new technologies are also essential for staying current and effective in the role.

What is the difference between Lab Engineer vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLab EngineerLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, science, or related fieldDiploma or associate degree in laboratory technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and oversee laboratory experiments and equipmentPerform routine tests, prepare samples, and maintain lab equipment
Employer & Industry UsageResearch labs, manufacturing, quality controlMedical labs, research facilities, industrial testing

Lab Engineers focus on designing and managing laboratory processes and equipment, often requiring engineering degrees. Laboratory Technicians perform routine testing and sample preparation, typically with technical diplomas. Both roles are essential in lab settings but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

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

To thrive as a Lab Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering or applied sciences, analytical problem-solving abilities, and typically a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with lab instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and standard safety protocols is essential, and certifications such as OSHA or Six Sigma can be beneficial. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and organizational skills set standout candidates apart. These competencies ensure accurate experimentation, reliable results, and a safe, efficient laboratory environment.
Infographic showing various Lab Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $98,810 per year, or $47.5 per hour.

Lead Mechanical Engineer - EIC Cryogenics

Jefferson Lab

Newport News, VA • On-site

$139K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

At Jefferson Lab, you'll champion cutting-edge science and operational excellence while shaping the future of discovery. Join us and make your mark - where excellence meets purpose, and great minds truly matter.
The good-faith pay range for this role is $139,400 - $200,100 per year. Actual compensation may vary and may be above the posted range based on factors such as a candidate's skills, experience, education, certifications, and work location.
What your job will be like:
The candidate will supervise a group of Mechanical Engineers. Will work on multiple major cryogenic projects of the highest complexity, which include a sub-atmospheric 2 Kelvin temperature cryogenic system. Will be responsible for long-range planning, budgeting, and progress tracking.
In this job you will:
  • Lead and direct the work of other mechanical engineers and interact with other plant engineers, design engineers and technicians for the design, fabrication, and installation efforts in multiple complex projects.
  • Provide support to the management for the Lab's cryogenic contribution to the most advanced and complex Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) project providing work planning, execution strategy, acquisition strategy, and progress assessment.
  • Provide mechanical design support to multi-laboratory collaborative cryogenic projects and inhouse project based on priorities.
  • Generate ideas and provide innovative solutions to cryogenic systems' highest complexity mechanical design challenges.
  • Ensure transfer of mechanical design knowledge [thermal and structural analysis] from senior staff to junior mechanical engineers.
  • May motivate young mechanical engineers to work on challenging thermal and structural analysis work to increase their know-how.
  • May introduce new ideas to enhance the mechanical engineering design productivity.
  • May mentor summer students to expand the knowledge base and to increase the popularity of cryogenic engineering.

Experience
  • Required: 15 or more years relevant experience
  • Preferred: 4 or more years related to cryogenics

Education
  • Required: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
  • Preferred: Master's Degree in Engieering

Experience and Education Exchange
Education above the minimum may be substituted for experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • High levels of technical knowledge, ingenuity and creativity.
  • Develops and applies advanced technologies, engineering principles, theories and concepts. Broad knowledge about the design and operation of systems outside of specialty.
  • Widely recognized as a technical expert within the professional community. Accomplishments contribute to state of the art field in the area of expertise both within and outside the lab.
  • Able to effectively train people outside his/her work group.
  • Able to give effective presentations to critical/high level customers and effectively represent work group on review panels and cross-organizational teams.
  • Can write convincing proposals and reports with all necessary backup material for external consumption.

About Jefferson Lab
Join a community with a common purpose of solving the most challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time. The Jefferson Lab campus is located in southeastern Virginia amidst a vibrant and growing technology community.
A career at Jefferson Lab is more than a job. You will be part of "big science" and work alongside top scientists and engineers from around the world unlocking the secrets of our visible universe. Managed by SURATech, LLC, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is seeking new team members ready to apply their skills and passion to have an impact. You could call it work, or you could call it a mission. We call it a challenge. We do things that will change the world.
Total Rewards at Jefferson Lab
At Jefferson Lab, we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans • Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (Paid Parental, vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
• 401(k) Plan - 9% Lab Contribution; 100% vested • Flexible Work Arrangements
(Remote & Alternate Work Schedules available)
• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
• Live near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region with access to nearby beaches,
mountains, and all major metropolitan centers on the East Coast
SURATech, LLC manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). SURATech is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
SURATech is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities (unless doing so will result in an undue hardship). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@jlab.org or contact Human Resources by calling (757) 269-7100 and selecting option 1 between 8 am - 5 pm EST to provide the nature of your request.
Employment with SURATech is conditional upon DOE approval if at any time during your employment you are participating in a Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program or Affiliated activity. Generally, such programs/activities include any foreign-state-sponsored attempt to acquire U.S.-funded scientific research through programs run or funded by the government that target scientists, engineers, students, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs of all nationalities working or educated in the United States. This includes positions or appointments, both domestic and foreign, titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received and whether full-time, part-time or voluntary.