1

Senior Automotive Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Systems Engineer II

Sterling, VA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced and data-driven Senior Systems Engineer II to lead the ... Strong knowledge of automotive and autonomous vehicle technologies * Experience developing ...

New

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer leads and ensures supplier quality performance for parts ... Experience in Supplier Quality Engineering in the Automotive Industry or equivalent: Preferred

Senior Staff Controls Engineer

Ashburn, VA ยท On-site

$99K - $130K/yr

Job Summary The Senior Staff Controls Engineer performs advanced system maintenance and support ... Experience in highly automated environments (automotive, semiconductors, high-volume manufacturing ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Automotive Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$59K

$125.5K

$181.9K

How much do senior automotive engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior automotive engineer in Virginia is $125,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,600.00 and $142,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior automotive engineer do?

A Senior Automotive Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and improving vehicles and their systems. They lead engineering teams, oversee the testing of prototypes, and ensure that automotive designs meet safety, performance, and regulatory standards. Senior Automotive Engineers also collaborate with other departments, manage project timelines and budgets, and mentor junior engineers. Their expertise helps bring innovative and efficient vehicles to market.

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

To thrive as a Senior Automotive Engineer, you need strong expertise in automotive design, engineering principles, and a relevant degree such as mechanical or automotive engineering, often supplemented by several years of industry experience. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of regulatory standards are typically required, along with certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) being advantageous. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills to excel in project management and cross-functional collaboration. These skills ensure innovative solutions, adherence to safety and quality standards, and successful project delivery in the competitive automotive industry.

How does a senior automotive engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a vehicle development project?

Senior Automotive Engineers frequently work with cross-functional teams, including designers, software developers, manufacturing specialists, and quality assurance experts. They often lead technical discussions, ensure that engineering requirements are understood across departments, and facilitate problem-solving when challenges arise in the development process. This collaborative environment helps integrate various disciplines to achieve project goals, meet safety and regulatory standards, and deliver innovative solutions. Effective communication and leadership are key to successfully navigating these collaborations.

What is the difference between Senior Automotive Engineer vs Automotive Design Engineer?

AspectSenior Automotive EngineerAutomotive Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Industrial Design Engineering
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, testing facilities, manufacturing plantsDesign studios, CAD labs, prototype workshops
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, suppliers, R&D centersAutomotive OEMs, design firms, engineering consultancies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Senior Automotive Engineer and an Automotive Design Engineer lies in their focus areas. Senior Automotive Engineers typically oversee vehicle systems, testing, and integration, while Automotive Design Engineers concentrate on creating vehicle aesthetics and conceptual designs. Both roles require engineering backgrounds, but their daily tasks and specializations differ significantly.

What type of senior automotive engineers make the most money?

Senior automotive engineers specializing in advanced powertrain systems, autonomous vehicle technology, or electric vehicle development tend to earn the highest salaries. Engineers with expertise in software integration, systems engineering, and those holding professional certifications or advanced degrees often command higher compensation due to their specialized skills and industry demand.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Automotive Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Automotive Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Senior Automotive Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Automotive Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Automotive Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Automotive Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Senior Automotive Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Automotive Engineer job openings in Virginia 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 $125,471 per year, or $60.3 per hour.

Senior Systems Engineer II

Voiceflow

Sterling, VA โ€ข On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Key responsibilities

  • Define, document, and manage system and capability-level requirements with full end-to-end traceability.

  • Design and develop scenario-based test suites in simulated and on-road environments to evaluate autonomy features and system capabilities.

  • Analyze real-world and simulation data to identify performance trends, uncover issues, and provide insights for system improvements.


Job description

May Mobility is transforming cities through autonomous technology to create a safer, greener, more accessible world. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, May develops and deploys autonomous vehicles (AVs) powered by our innovative Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology that literally reimagines the way AVs think.

Our vehicles do more than just drive themselves - they provide value to communities, bridge public transit gaps and move people where they need to go safely, easily and with a lot more fun. Weโ€™re building the worldโ€™s best autonomy system to reimagine transit by minimizing congestion, expanding access and encouraging better land use in order to foster more green, vibrant and livable spaces. Since our founding in 2017, weโ€™ve given more than 500,000 autonomous rides to real people around the globe. And weโ€™re just getting started. Weโ€™re hiring people who share our passion for building the future, today, solving real-world problems and seeing the impact of their work. Join us.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and data-driven Senior Systems Engineer II to lead the definition, optimization, and validation of next-generation Autonomous Vehicle capabilities.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between high-level autonomy goals and actionable system requirements. You will be responsible for defining autonomous vehicle system requirements, designing complex scenario-based test suites in simulated and on-road environments, and building automated, KPI-driven reporting pipelines. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of systems engineering, automated testing, data analytics, and functional safety standards.

Essential Responsibilities
  • Define, document, and manage system and capability-level requirements with full end-to-end traceability leveraging requirement management, AV simulation, and data toolsets.
  • Conduct in-depth Operational Design Domain (ODD) and route analyses to shape AV driving capabilities and sub-capabilities.
  • Ensure designed scenarios align and comply with established industry standards and regulatory frameworks, such as Euro NCAP and NHTSA
  • Drive and manage the driving simulation portfolio to ensure comprehensive validation coverage across the entire Operational Design Domain (ODD).
  • Craft on-road and logical test scenarios designed specifically for evaluating autonomy features, system capabilities, and critical on-road events.
  • Process and analyze real-world field events to close the loop by identifying simulation coverage gaps and creating representative simulation tests.
  • Define clear, robust simulation specifications and requirements for cross-functional simulation teams to develop and build against.
  • Analyze real-world and simulation results to identify performance trends, uncover potential issues, and provide insights for improvements
  • Lead engineering process continuous improvement activities, proposing solutions and gaining buy-in from impacted teams
Skills and Abilities

Success in this role typically requires the following competencies:

  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
  • Strong attention to detail and highly-organized
  • Ability to multitask and adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced work environment
  • Understanding of agile startup and engineering principles and mindset
  • Ability to display systems thinking and attention to detail
  • Detailed knowledge of requirements management and requirement-based design
  • Curiosity to learn and desire to improve
Qualifications and Experience

Candidates most successful in this role typically hold the following qualifications or comparable knowledge or experience:

Required
  • Bachelorโ€™s Degree from an accredited university
  • 6+ years experience in automotive systems engineering working on software, hardware, or combined hardware/software products and 3+ years systems engineering experience working on autonomous driving or advance driver assistance systems
  • Strong knowledge of automotive and autonomous vehicle technologies
  • Experience developing behavioral simulations for AV or ADAS features
  • Experience with Python, SQL, and data analysis tools (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Spark).
Desirable
  • A Masters degree in Engineering or equivalent experience
  • Experience working in a startup
  • Practical awareness of functional safety principles, including ISO 26262, SOTIF, and HARA.
Physical Requirements
  • Standard office working conditions which includes but is not limited to:
    • Prolonged sitting
    • Prolonged standing
    • Prolonged computer use
  • Travel required? - Minimal: 1%-10%

Benefits and Perks

  • Comprehensive healthcare suite including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. Domestic partners who have been residing together at least one year are also eligible to participate.
  • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Healthcare and Dependent Care Accounts available.
  • Rich retirement benefits, including an immediately vested employer safe harbor match.
  • Generous paid parental leave as well as a phased return to work.
  • Flexible vacation policy in addition to paid company holidays.
  • Total Wellness Program providing numerous resources for overall wellbeing

Donโ€™t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and/or people of color are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every qualification. At May Mobility, weโ€™re committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workforce, so if youโ€™re excited about this role but your previous experience doesnโ€™t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway! You may be the perfect candidate for this or another role at May.

Want to learn more about our culture & benefits? Check out our website!

May Mobility is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected basis. Below, you have the opportunity to share your preferred gender pronouns, gender, ethnicity, and veteran status with May Mobility to help us identify areas of improvement in our hiring and recruitment processes. Completion of these questions is entirely voluntary. Any information you choose to provide will be kept confidential, and will not impact the hiring decision in any way. If you believe that you will need any type of accommodation, please let us know.

Salary Range $125,000 โ€” $150,000 USD

May Mobility uses automated tools to support โ€” but not replace โ€” human judgment in our recruiting process, to find out more please click here

#J-18808-Ljbffr