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Service Desk Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Service Desk Lead

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$81K - $120K/yr

We're looking for a Service Desk Lead to support the DFC. This position will be located in ... Collaborates with engineering, cybersecurity, network, and application teams to reduce recurring ...

Service Desk Lead

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$81K - $120K/yr

We're looking for a Service Desk Lead to support the DFC. This position will be located in ... Collaborates with engineering, cybersecurity, network, and application teams to reduce recurring ...

Service Desk Manager

Adelphi, MD ยท On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking a proven Service Desk Manager to join the Army Research ... Work alongside network services, software systems engineering teams, and/or application development ...

Senior Help Desk Engineer

Bethesda, MD ยท Remote

$80K - $95K/yr

Senior Help Desk Engineer Location: Onsite 5 days a week in Bethesda, Maryland Type: Contract ... IT Services, and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce ...

Service Desk Manager

Adelphi, MD ยท On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a proven Service Desk Manager to join the Army Research Laboratory (ARL ... Work alongside network services, software systems engineering teams, and/or application development ...

Service Desk Team Lead (MSP)

Rockville, MD ยท On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Service Desk Team Lead (MSP) Location: Rockville, MD Work Model: Local WFH, in office on Tuesdays ... engineering escalations. You will support SMB clients across the DC Metro area while working in a ...

Senior Help Desk Engineer

Bethesda, MD ยท Remote

$80K - $95K/yr

Senior Help Desk Engineer Location: Onsite 5 days a week in Bethesda, Maryland Type: Contract ... IT Services, and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce ...

Service Desk Manager

Adelphi, MD ยท On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking a proven Service Desk Manager to join the Army Research ... Work alongside network services, software systems engineering teams, and/or application development ...

Showing results 21-40

Service Desk Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$11

$30

$51

How much do service desk engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for service desk engineer in Washington, DC is $30.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.41 and $34.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a service desk engineer do?

A Service Desk Engineer provides technical support and assistance to users experiencing IT issues, typically through phone, email, or chat. They troubleshoot hardware and software problems, resolve network connectivity issues, and escalate complex problems to higher-level technical teams as needed. Service Desk Engineers also document incidents, maintain knowledge bases, and ensure that IT service requests are addressed promptly to minimize downtime. Their goal is to help maintain smooth IT operations within an organization.

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

To thrive as a Service Desk Engineer, you need strong troubleshooting abilities, a solid understanding of IT systems, and often a degree or certification in information technology. Familiarity with ticketing systems like ServiceNow, remote desktop tools, and certifications such as CompTIA A+ or Microsoft certifications are typically required. Excellent communication, patience, and problem-solving skills help you deliver effective support and build rapport with end-users. These competencies are critical for resolving technical issues efficiently, ensuring user satisfaction, and maintaining smooth IT operations.

What are some common challenges service desk engineers face and how can they effectively manage them?

Service Desk Engineers often encounter recurring challenges such as handling high ticket volumes, resolving complex technical issues under time pressure, and communicating with users who may have varying levels of technical understanding. To manage these effectively, it's important to prioritize tasks based on urgency, use clear and patient communication, and leverage knowledge bases or escalation procedures when needed. Building strong collaboration with other IT teams also helps in resolving issues faster and expanding technical expertise.

What is the difference between Service Desk Engineer vs Help Desk Technician?

AspectService Desk EngineerHelp Desk Technician
CertificationsITIL, CompTIA A+, Microsoft certificationsCompTIA A+, HDI certifications
Work EnvironmentCorporate IT support, technical troubleshooting, incident managementEnd-user support, basic troubleshooting, customer service
Employer & Industry UsageIT departments across industries, enterprise environmentsSmall to medium businesses, customer service centers

The main difference between a Service Desk Engineer and a Help Desk Technician lies in their scope and technical complexity. Service Desk Engineers typically handle more complex technical issues, require advanced certifications, and work in larger, enterprise environments. Help Desk Technicians focus on basic support and customer service, often in smaller organizations. Both roles are essential for IT support but differ in responsibilities and technical depth.

What is the average salary for a service desk engineer?

The average salary for a service desk engineer typically ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the company's size. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with certifications like CompTIA or ITIL can earn higher salaries. Salaries also vary based on the geographic location and the complexity of the support environment.

What skills do you need as a service desk engineer?

A service desk engineer needs strong technical skills in troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues, along with excellent communication and customer service abilities. Knowledge of operating systems, remote support tools, and ITIL or similar frameworks is also important. Certifications like CompTIA A+ or Network+ can enhance job prospects.
Infographic showing various Service Desk Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,573 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Other

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Job description

Position Overview

The Service Desk Lead directs the day-to-day IT support activities of the Service Desk, with team-lead responsibilities for assigned staff. This role is accountable for ensuring continuity of computer, network, and application services for users throughout the organization and external customers through planning, technical leadership, and coordination of Service Desk work. The Service Desk Lead facilitates alignment of Service Desk operations with business processes and requirements, promotes best practices through outreach with stakeholders and customers, and provides technical direction and mentoring to Service Desk staff while contributing to budget forecasting, reporting, and continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Directs the day-to-day IT support activities of the Service Desk, with team-lead responsibilities for assigned staff.

  • Accountable for ensuring continuity of computer, network, and application services for internal users and external customers through planning, technical leadership, and coordination.

  • Facilitates alignment of Service Desk services with business processes and requirements, and drives continual improvement through promotion of best practices and outreach with stakeholders and customers.

  • Contributes to IT goals within broad outlines provided by management, providing technical leadership and coordination to support continuity of computer, network, and application services.

  • Forecasts equipment, software, and staffing needs for the Service Desk as required; provides input into project and program budgets.

  • Assists in preparing and tracking Service Desk budget performance and reports on budget status as requested.

  • Stays abreast of the latest developments in information technology and remains technically competent across Service Desk tools and processes, striving for enhanced user productivity through adoption of new technologies and more effective use of IT resources.

  • Studies problems and capabilities, and recommends improved operating procedures, alternate processing methods, communications, information flow, management reporting, and operational efficiency.

  • Contributes short- and long-range Service Desk plans and improvement recommendations, with priority input to management.

  • Verifies successful implementation of new tools/technologies by conducting monitoring and documentation audits.

  • Supports technological research by studying organizational/customer goals, strategies, practices, and user needs relevant to the Service Desk.

  • Supports feasibility studies for Service Desk improvements and contributes to systems project proposals.

  • Oversees, directs, and mentors Service Desk Analysts and team leads; communicates job expectations and enforces organizational policies, procedures, and core values; provides input on recruiting, timecard approval, and performance reviews.

  • Analyzes complex issues raised by the user community and/or clients and recommends technical solutions.

  • Ensures consistency and maintainability of Service Desk processes and tools by helping create, maintain, and enforce standards/procedures.

  • Supports staffing activities including recruiting, onboarding, and training of new Service Desk employees; maintains a safe and secure work environment and supports employees' growth opportunities.

  • Communicates job expectations, monitors and appraises job results, and coaches/counsels Service Desk staff; helps coordinate and enforce systems, policies, and procedures.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

  • 6โ€“8 years of experience in Information Technology, with 2โ€“5 years of experience leading or managing IT/Service Desk staff.

  • Knowledge of computer hardware and software, including applications and programming, relevant to the supported environment.

  • Advanced knowledge of issued hardware and/or software products and excellent working knowledge of personal computers and peripherals.

  • Obtain Secret Clearance

Preferred Qualifications

  • ITIL Foundations or higher certification preferred.

Job Specific Skills

  • Strong communication skills; able to effectively communicate technical issues to technical and non-technical audiences.

  • Ability to get team members to work together to accomplish tasks.

  • Stays up to date technically and applies new knowledge to the job.

  • Ability to think long-term and establish achievable action plans.

  • Actively looks for ways to help people in the most efficient manner.

  • Uses logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

  • Understands the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Compensation Ranges

Compensation ranges for ASM Research positions vary depending on multiple factors; including but not limited to, location, skill set, level of education, certifications, client requirements, contract-specific affordability, government clearance and investigation level, and years of experience. The compensation displayed for this role is a general guideline based on these factors and is unique to each role. Monetary compensation is one component of ASM's overall compensation and benefits package for employees.

EEO Requirements

It is the policy of ASM that an individual's race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or national origin are not and will not be considered in any personnel or management decisions. We affirm our commitment to these fundamental policies.

All recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications is done without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, or age. All decisions on employment are made to abide by the principle of equal employment.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described in "Knowledge, Skills and Abilities" above are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. (For example, "light office duties' or "lifting up to 50 pounds" or "some travel" required.) Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualifying disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the primary functions.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

$94,100 - $142,788.88

EEO Requirements

It is the policy of ASM that an individual's race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, gender identity, veteran status, sexual orientation or national origin are not and will not be considered in any personnel or management decisions. We affirm our commitment to these fundamental policies.

All recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications is done without regard to race, color, religion, sex, veteran status, disability, gender identity, or age. All decisions on employment are made to abide by the principle of equal employment.