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Model Maker Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

kgs

Mid Web Application Developer

Washington, DC

Create Power BI reports or dashboards, or support data modeling as needed. * Participate in ... Power Platform App Maker (PL-100) or Developer Associate (PL-400). * 5+ years of experience ...

kgs

Mid Web Application Developer

Washington, DC · On-site

Create Power BI reports or dashboards, or support data modeling as needed. * Participate in ... Power Platform App Maker (PL-100) or Developer Associate (PL-400). * 5+ years of experience ...

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Model Maker information

See Washington, DC salary details

$11

$35

$75

How much do model maker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for model maker in Washington, DC is $35.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.49 and $44.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kinds of projects do model makers typically work on?

Model Makers are involved in a variety of projects ranging from architectural scale models and industrial prototypes to product concept models for consumer goods. Depending on the industry, you may create models to support design presentations, engineering validation, or marketing efforts. Collaboration with engineers, designers, and project managers is often required to ensure models meet functional and aesthetic requirements. The work environment is usually a combination of workshop and office settings, and project scopes can vary widely, offering fresh challenges and learning opportunities. This diversity allows Model Makers to continually develop their craft and expertise across multiple sectors.

What is a model maker?

A Model Maker is a professional who creates physical or digital models used for prototypes, design testing, and product development. They work with various materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal, and use tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, and hand tools. Model Makers are commonly employed in industries like manufacturing, architecture, film, and aerospace. Their work helps engineers, designers, and clients visualize and refine concepts before full-scale production.

How much do model makers make?

Model makers typically earn between $30,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Skilled model makers with advanced techniques or specialized tools may earn higher salaries, especially in industries like film, architecture, or manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the model maker position, and why are they important?

Model Makers need strong skills in handcrafting, precise measurement, and interpreting technical drawings, often supported by a background in industrial design, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D printers, CNC machines, and other prototyping tools is highly valued, and certifications in these technologies can be advantageous. Attention to detail, creativity, and strong problem-solving abilities are important soft skills for excelling in this position. These competencies are crucial for producing accurate, high-quality models that support design, engineering, and manufacturing projects.

How do you become a model maker?

To become a model maker, individuals typically pursue a relevant education such as a degree or certification in industrial design, sculpture, or engineering. Gaining hands-on experience with tools like CAD software, woodworking, and sculpting, along with building a strong portfolio, is essential for entry into the field.
What are popular job titles related to Model Maker jobs in Washington, DC? For Model Maker jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Model Maker jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Model Maker jobs in Washington, DC are:
Model Maker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Model Maker job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,870 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Forward Deployed Software Engineer (FDSE)

Osprey Talent Solutions

Arlington, VA

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

A growing national security technology company is seeking multiple Forward Deployed Software Engineers to support an onsite data and analytics program at the Pentagon.

This role is built for someone who can take messy, disconnected, or incomplete data and turn it into something a real decision-maker can use. You will work directly with government users and technical teams to build production-ready data products, including pipelines, data models, dashboards, workflows, and applications.

Palantir Maven or Foundry experience is helpful, but it is not required. The platform can be taught. What matters most is whether you have personally built, structured, integrated, or improved data-driven tools that were used by non-technical customers to make operational decisions.

Strong candidates may come from traditional data engineering or software engineering backgrounds, but we are also interested in professionals who developed hands-on data skills through cyber, SIGINT, GEOINT, intelligence, operations research, business intelligence, analytics, or other operational environments.

What You'll Do:

  • Build and maintain data pipelines, data models, dashboards, workflows, and user-facing applications
  • Integrate data from multiple systems and transform messy or unreliable data into useful, decision-ready products
  • Work directly with government stakeholders to understand how data will be used and what decisions it needs to support
  • Design data structures, schemas, and relationships that accurately reflect the operational environment
  • Diagnose pipeline failures, data-quality issues, and problems introduced by upstream systems or transformations
  • Develop scripts, services, integrations, or applications using Python, Java, TypeScript, JavaScript, SQL, or similar technologies
  • Support deployment, testing, documentation, configuration, and continued product improvement
  • Learn and apply Palantir Maven, Foundry, and related tools as needed

Required Qualifications:

  • Active Secret clearance
  • Ability to work onsite at the Pentagon
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Hands-on experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, software development, business intelligence, cyber analytics, intelligence data, systems engineering, or a related technical area
  • Experience personally building or owning a data product, pipeline, model, dashboard, workflow, application, or technical tool
  • Experience working with raw, incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable data
  • Proficiency with one or more languages or technologies such as Python, Java, TypeScript, JavaScript, SQL, Power BI, ArcGIS, SIEM platforms, or similar tools
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work with both technical and non-technical users
  • Ability to operate effectively when requirements are incomplete and improve solutions through iteration

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with Palantir Foundry, Maven, Army Vantage, AIP, Ontology, Workshop, Slate, or related Palantir products
  • Experience building production data pipelines or applications used by operational customers
  • Experience designing data models, schemas, ontologies, entity relationships, or reporting structures
  • Experience tracing data lineage and resolving upstream data-quality problems
  • Experience supporting DoD, military, intelligence, or federal customers
  • Experience working in classified or secure environments
  • Familiarity with APIs, Git, CI/CD, cloud environments, data visualization, or modern software-development practices
  • Background in data engineering, BI development, cyber intelligence, detection engineering, SIGINT, GEOINT, ORSA, or data science

What a Strong Candidate Looks Like:

A strong candidate can point to something they personally built and clearly explain:

  • Who used it
  • What decision or action it supported
  • What they personally owned
  • How they worked through messy data or unclear requirements
  • What could have gone wrong if the data or product was inaccurate

The strongest candidates talk about the data structure and operational problem behind the product, not just the tools or visualizations they used.

Education:

A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, or a related discipline is preferred. Relevant technical, military, intelligence, or operational experience may be considered in place of a degree.

About the Opportunity:

This is an opportunity to build data products that support real decisions inside one of the nation's most important operational environments. You will join an experienced team that can train strong engineers on Palantir Maven and Foundry while giving them direct exposure to complex government data and mission users.