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Phd Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

IC-CAP LLC

DevOps Systems Engineer TALO092

Herndon, VA · On-site

$54.25 - $74.25/hr

... Engineer : Candidate will develop CI/CD build and deploy pipelines; integrate tools into the ... Staff (Level 5) : * 14+ Years with BS * 12+ Years with Masters * 9+ Years with PhD * + additional 4 ...

DCCA

Systems Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

They are seeking a Systems Engineer to analyze IT requirements, provide technical leadership, and ... PhD + 2 years of experience • Expert/ Master: High School Diploma + 12 years of experience ...

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Phd Engineer information

What is a PhD engineer?

A PhD Engineer is an individual who has completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in an engineering discipline. This advanced degree signifies deep expertise in a specialized area of engineering, often involving original research and the completion of a dissertation. PhD Engineers typically work in academia, research and development, or advanced industry roles where they contribute to scientific innovation and technological advancements. Their work often includes conducting research, publishing scholarly articles, and mentoring students or junior engineers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD engineer?

To thrive as a PhD Engineer, you need advanced expertise in engineering principles, research methodology, and problem-solving, typically supported by a doctoral degree in an engineering discipline. Familiarity with specialized technical tools, modeling software, data analysis platforms, and sometimes professional certifications are commonly required. Exceptional analytical thinking, innovation, and strong communication skills set top PhD Engineers apart in collaborative and research-driven environments. These competencies are vital for driving technological advancements, publishing impactful research, and leading complex engineering projects.

Is a PhD useful in engineering?

A PhD in engineering can be highly valuable for roles involving research, development, and advanced technical problem-solving. It demonstrates expertise, analytical skills, and the ability to conduct independent research, which are often required for specialized or leadership positions in engineering fields.

What jobs can I get with a Phd engineer?

A PhD in engineering qualifies individuals for advanced roles such as research scientist, university professor, R&D engineer, or technical consultant. These positions often require strong analytical skills, expertise in specialized tools or software, and may involve project management or collaboration in innovative environments.

What are the typical career advancement opportunities for a PhD engineer in an industrial setting?

PhD Engineers in industry often start in research and development roles, where they apply their advanced technical expertise to solve complex problems. Over time, they may progress into senior scientist or technical lead positions, and can also transition into management roles such as R&D manager or director. Career growth is often driven by demonstrated innovation, successful project leadership, and strong collaboration skills. Additionally, PhD Engineers frequently have opportunities to shape company strategy, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to patent portfolios.

What is the difference between Phd Engineer vs Research Scientist?

AspectPhd EngineerResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in Engineering or related fieldPhD in relevant scientific discipline
Work EnvironmentIndustry labs, R&D departments, manufacturingAcademic labs, research institutions, industry R&D
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, manufacturing firms, engineering firmsUniversities, government agencies, private research firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Phd Engineers and Research Scientists hold doctoral degrees and work in research-intensive environments. Phd Engineers typically focus on applied engineering projects within industry, while Research Scientists often work on fundamental scientific research in academic or government settings. The choice depends on whether you prefer industry application or scientific exploration.

What are popular job titles related to Phd Engineer jobs in Washington?

For Phd Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Phd Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Phd Engineer jobs in Washington are:

Phd Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Phd Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

2026 PhD Graduate - Mechanical-Fluids Analysis Engineer, Shipboard Systems Team

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 hours ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 73 rated research

Job description

Description
Are you excited by the challenge of performing modeling and simulation and analysis on complex weapon systems in support of the U.S. Navy? Do you have a strong desire to work with data from operational U.S. submarines to understand performance and develop and validate physics-based models?
We are seeking a PhD in Mechanical Engineering ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation and expertise in fluid dynamics and will have the ability to apply their depth of knowledge across a range of technical challenges.
As a member of the team, you will gain a deep technical understanding of the weapon systems we support. You will play a pivotal role in assessing how modifications to existing weapon systems affect the complex fluid environment of underwater missile launch. Additionally, you will work with a multidisciplinary team that supports our sponsors in developing advanced analysis methods for deployed systems, modernizing existing Navy hardware, and integrating new weapon systems onto Navy platforms.
As a Mechanical Engineer on our team, you will...
  • Develop deep technical expertise in submarine launcher and other shipboard systems by analyzing operational patrol data.
  • Perform Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, including mesh creation, execution, and post-processing on our in-house High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster.
  • Perform physics-based bulk volume modeling and data analysis using MATLAB/Simulink and other tools.
  • Implement coding best practices and develop streamlined, maintainable workflows across the team's modeling and analysis tools.
  • Validate simulations against test data to assess the accuracy and fidelity of the simulations.
  • Support test and evaluation efforts ranging from small-scale lab tests to full-scale system tests at government facilities or onboard Navy platforms.
  • Provide critical technical recommendations to sponsors regarding design solutions proposed by industry partners.
  • Prepare technical reports and briefing materials for presentation to internal staff, government, and industry partners.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
  • Have demonstrated interest in fluid dynamics through coursework, professional experience, or in a laboratory setting.
  • Are willing to learn new tools and embrace the changes needed to transform existing workflows in a developing Digital Engineering environment.
  • Are willing and able to travel occasionally (5%) to U.S. Navy facilities, bases, and contractor sites.
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have significant experience performing modeling and simulation using CFD tools such as OpenFOAM or StarCCM+, or with bulk volume analysis in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, etc.
  • Have experience with data analysis of large, complex mechanical systems.
  • Have experience working with submarines or missile launcher systems.
  • Have an active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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