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Piping Engineer Intern Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Piping Engineer Intern information

See Reston, VA salary details

$11

$20

$30

How much do piping engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for piping engineer intern in Reston, VA is $20.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $21.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a piping engineer intern do?

A Piping Engineer Intern assists experienced piping engineers in designing, analyzing, and reviewing piping systems used in various industries such as oil and gas, power plants, and manufacturing. Their responsibilities typically include creating and updating technical drawings, helping with material selection, performing basic calculations, and supporting site inspections. Interns gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software and learn about safety and regulatory standards. This role is ideal for engineering students looking to apply classroom knowledge to real-world engineering projects.

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

To thrive as a Piping Engineer Intern, you need a foundational knowledge of engineering principles, familiarity with piping systems, and progress toward a degree in mechanical or chemical engineering. Proficiency with CAD software (such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks), basic knowledge of industry standards, and exposure to project management tools are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help interns excel in design tasks and collaborate with senior engineers. These skills ensure accurate, safe, and efficient design solutions while supporting project goals and professional growth.

What are some common challenges a piping engineer intern might face during their internship?

As a Piping Engineer Intern, you may encounter challenges such as quickly learning industry-specific software (like AutoCAD or PDMS), interpreting complex engineering drawings, and understanding various material specifications. You'll also need to adapt to working within multidisciplinary teams, often collaborating with experienced engineers and designers under tight project timelines. Seeking feedback and proactively asking questions will help you overcome these hurdles and build a strong foundation for a future career in piping engineering.

What is the difference between Piping Engineer Intern vs Piping Engineer?

AspectPiping Engineer InternPiping Engineer
QualificationsEnrolled in or recent graduate of engineering program, basic knowledge of piping systemsBachelor's degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, relevant certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, supervised, often in construction sites or engineering officesFull-time professional role, involved in design, analysis, and project management
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with drawings, data collection, and learning piping standardsDesigning piping layouts, reviewing specifications, coordinating with teams

The main difference between a Piping Engineer Intern and a Piping Engineer is experience and responsibility level. Interns are in learning roles, assisting with tasks under supervision, while Piping Engineers are fully responsible for designing and managing piping systems in professional settings.

What are popular job titles related to Piping Engineer Intern jobs in Reston, VA?

For Piping Engineer Intern jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Piping Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Piping Engineer Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Piping Engineer Intern job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,796 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

SUPERVISORY GENERAL ENGINEER

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Washington Navy Yard, DC • On-site

$143K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 538 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
Qualifications:Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the NH-03 (GS-13 equivalency) pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: As a professional engineer leading various engineering disciplines (i.e., naval architecture, structural, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, piping, and life support systems) in support of submarine acquisition, procurement, or program management within the defense sector.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF and IOR: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
OR
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit:
http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
OR
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.Employment Type: OTHER

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