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Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad Jobs in Reston, VA

Burns

Senior Electrical Engineer-Aviation

Washington, DC · On-site

$122K - $158K/yr

Burns' full-service capabilities include mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, transportation, and energy consulting engineering. Recently voted a Top Workplace by Philly.com, we credit our ...

Rosendin Electric, Inc.

Designer II

Sterling, VA

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career ... This position requires moderate dotted-line supervision by a Designer III, an Engineer, the ...

Cymertek

Space Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Our team will work with you to identify the most recent opportunities that align with your skillset ... Knowledge of orbital mechanics * Familiarity with satellite subsystems (e.g., propulsion, power ...

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All JobsMechanical Engineer Recent Grad JobsMechanical Engineer Recent Grad Jobs in Reston, VA

Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad information

See Reston, VA salary details

$47.3K

$107K

$173.2K

How much do mechanical engineer recent grad jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for mechanical engineer recent grad in Reston, VA is $107,030.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,800.00 and $131,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectMechanical Engineer Recent GradMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, internship experienceBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, some design coursework
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects, manufacturing or R&D settingsDesign-focused tasks, CAD software, product development teams
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, aerospace, automotive, energy sectorsProduct design firms, engineering consultancies, industrial equipment

The main difference between a Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad and a Mechanical Design Engineer lies in their experience and focus. Recent grads are just starting their careers with foundational skills, while Mechanical Design Engineers typically have some experience in design processes and software. Both roles often overlap in industry and credentials, but the Design Engineer role emphasizes design-specific tasks and software proficiency.

What does a Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad do?

A Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad assists in designing, developing, and testing mechanical systems or products. They typically work on tasks such as creating technical drawings, running simulations, conducting experiments, and supporting senior engineers in project work. Recent grads often work in industries like automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, or energy, gaining hands-on experience and building their engineering skills. They also collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, learn industry standards, and may help troubleshoot mechanical problems. This role serves as a foundation for professional growth and prepares them for more advanced engineering responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, proficiency in mathematics, and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD, and experience with simulation tools like ANSYS, are typically required, along with knowledge of industry standards. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help distinguish you in collaborative and fast-paced environments. These skills and qualities are vital to successfully design, analyze, and implement engineering solutions that meet project and industry requirements.

What types of projects can a recent graduate in mechanical engineering expect to work on during their first year?

As a recent graduate, you can expect to be involved in a variety of entry-level projects such as assisting with product design, performing basic calculations and simulations, supporting prototype development, and preparing technical documentation. You'll often collaborate with senior engineers and cross-functional teams—including manufacturing, quality assurance, and procurement—to gain exposure to different aspects of the engineering process. This hands-on experience is designed to build your technical skills, familiarize you with industry standards, and prepare you for more complex responsibilities as you advance.
What job categories do people searching Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad job openings:
Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad jobs near you
Project Engineer 1 - New College Grad 2025 - 2026 (E&C - Sterling, VA)

Project Engineer 1 - New College Grad 2025 - 2026 (E&C - Sterling, VA)

M.C. Dean, Inc

Sterling, VA • On-site

$66K - $87K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

221st of 352 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.
We are seeking new college graduates driven to excellence and inspired to build a smarter, more sustainable, and connected future. Engineers who join M.C. Dean's team will have access to a wide range of technical fields supporting mission-critical projects that help our customers shape the modern world.
Our early career associates work side-by-side with experienced professionals in our corporate offices, testing labs, project sites, or world-class manufacturing facility to put problem solving and creativity to work. Join us to build expertise through a combination of formal training programs and experiential, on-the-job learning to develop a broad and highly advanced skillset across the company's integrated business units.?
Responsibilities
Our Engineer 1 - New College Grad roles include:
  • Control Engineer: Design, develop, install, and maintain equipment used to monitor and control systems, machinery, and processes

  • Design Engineer: Develop, integrate, and support project engineering deliverables through drawings, specifications, product selection, installation sequence planning, and commissioning

  • Energy Engineer: Drive energy efficiency initiatives, reducing operational costs, and supporting our commitment to sustainability

  • Software Engineer: Provide software development services such as programming for projects and infrastructure support required for the creation of enterprise software in Client and Web environments

  • Systems Engineer: Provide system programming and management support for large scale networking infrastructures, including high performance computer configurations as well as other systems

  • Telecommunications Engineer: Design, coordinate, and specify telecommunication distribution systems and infrastructure for medium to large projects

Qualifications
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or Industrial Engineering, or similar discipline

  • Professional or academic experience using technical solutions such as CAD, SolidWorks, Revit, Python, SCADA, MATLAB, VHDL, or similar

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 with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person.

What M.C. Dean employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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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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