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Sr Design Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Helsing

Senior Design Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

The role As a Design Engineer, you will work on innovative UAV platforms, modifying and adapting existing mechanical and electrical designs to meet US customer requirements and specifications. You ...

Helsing

Senior Design Engineer

Washington, DC

The role As a Design Engineer, you will work on innovative UAV platforms, modifying and adapting existing mechanical and electrical designs to meet US customer requirements and specifications. You ...

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All JobsSr Design Engineer JobsSr Design Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Sr Design Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$73.5K

$140.3K

$203.2K

How much do sr design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr design engineer in Reston, VA is $140,266.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,000.00 and $164,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Sr Design Engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Sr Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing innovative design solutions with cost and manufacturability constraints, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and ensuring effective communication across multidisciplinary teams. To address these challenges, it's important to stay current with industry tools and best practices, regularly collaborate with manufacturing and quality departments, and prioritize clear documentation. Developing strong project management and interpersonal skills can also help streamline workflow and reduce project bottlenecks.

How much do senior design engineers earn?

Senior design engineers typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often have specialized skills in CAD software, engineering principles, and project management that can influence salary levels.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Design Engineer?

To thrive as a Sr Design Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical or electrical engineering, advanced problem-solving skills, and a relevant engineering degree, often with several years of industry experience. Expertise in CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), simulation tools, and familiarity with manufacturing processes are typically required, along with certifications like PE or Six Sigma being advantageous. Leadership, collaboration, and effective communication are vital soft skills for guiding teams and managing complex projects. These competencies are crucial to ensure innovative, reliable designs that meet technical requirements and project goals.

What is a Sr Design Engineer?

Sr Design Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for leading the design and development of products, systems, or components within an engineering team. They oversee the design process, ensuring projects meet technical specifications, regulatory standards, and budget constraints. Sr Design Engineers often mentor junior engineers, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and use advanced software tools for modeling and analysis. Their expertise helps drive innovation and ensures the successful delivery of complex engineering projects.

What is the difference between Sr Design Engineer vs Design Engineer?

AspectSr Design EngineerDesign Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, 3+ years experience, possibly professional engineering licenseBachelor's degree in engineering or related field, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, R&D departments, manufacturing settingsDesign teams, project-based environments, product development
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, aerospace, automotive, electronicsSimilar industries, often as entry to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Sr Design Engineer and a Design Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. A Sr Design Engineer typically has more years of experience, takes on complex projects, and may mentor junior staff. In contrast, a Design Engineer is often in an earlier career stage, focusing on executing design tasks under supervision. Both roles are essential in product development, but the Sr Design Engineer plays a leadership role in design innovation and project management.

What are popular job titles related to Sr Design Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? For Sr Design Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Sr Design Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Sr Design Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Sr Design Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Sr Design Engineer job openings:
Sr Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sr Design Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,266 per year, or $67.4 per hour.

Senior Design Engineer

Helsing

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Who we are
Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitious and committed team of mission-driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.
The role
As a Design Engineer, you will work on innovative UAV platforms, modifying and adapting existing mechanical and electrical designs to meet US customer requirements and specifications. You will design the mechanical and electrical architecture for various unmanned and autonomous systems, ensuring their design, implementation, and testing meets the needs of the end-user. You will work in close collaboration with systems engineers, embedded systems engineers, production teams, and customer-facing program managers.
Your role will be crucial in guiding the team's choices and ensuring the consistency of technical decisions. You will conceptualize innovative hardware configurations, conduct comprehensive trade studies, and create solutions optimized for both manufacturing efficiency and field assembly. Your expertise will be vital in realizing robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that enhance the performance of Helsing's UAV systems, directly supporting our mission to provide advanced defense capabilities.
The day-to-day
  • Modify and adapt existing UAV platform mechanical and electrical designs and interfaces to meet US customer needs, specifications, and regulatory requirements
  • Own subsystems design and participate in the overall development of platform architecture, ensuring consistency in decision-making meetings
  • Conceptualize and design UAV and supporting system hardware configurations through comprehensive trade studies and analytical assessments
  • Develop modular solutions using WOSA (Weapons Open Systems Architecture) standards to ensure interoperability and upgradability
  • Create electronic architectures and mechanical design concepts, specification design, and select appropriate components
  • Produce 3D and 2D documentation using SolidWorks or similar CAD/PLM tools, ensuring proper form, fit, and function of components by using analytical and simulation tools
  • Integrate COTS/GOTS equipment to meet high-level system objectives while managing size, weight, power, and cost constraints
  • Apply latest design and drawing standards, including ASME/ISO standards, GD&T, and strong consideration for manufacturing aspects
  • Design for manufacturing (DFM) and end-user field assembly, developing robust, scalable, and cost-effective components
  • Define and perform validation tests for technical maturation with general electronics and electrical troubleshooting, and mechanical testing
  • Create comprehensive design documentation in accordance with company guidelines and quality standards
You should apply if you
  • Have several years of experience in mechanical and/or electrical design for UAV platforms, aerospace systems, or similar demanding applications
  • Hold a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
  • Possess outstanding hands-on experience with 3D/2D CAD and PLM tools (preferably SolidWorks/PDM or similar platforms)
  • Have strong knowledge of modular design principles and experience with WOSA or similar open systems architecture standards
  • Demonstrate proven experience integrating COTS/GOTS equipment into complex systems
  • Possess knowledge of electronic component integration, preferably using ECAD/MCAD interfaces for component realization
  • Are keen on fast-track developments and realizations and are able to work independently, owning a project from concept to validation
  • Enjoy working in a highly flexible environment

Note: We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarized in a few bullet points.
Nice to Have
  • Professional working experience with US defense customers and familiarity with US military specifications and standards
  • Experience with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design, including airframe structures, propulsion integration, and payload mounting
  • Knowledge of export control regulations (ITAR, EAR) and experience working on US defense programs
  • Experience with schematic and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design for embedded systems
  • Familiarity with EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) design and validation
  • Experience with actuators (brushed and brushless motors, servomotors, magnetic coupling) and sensors used in aerospace or mechatronics applications
  • Background in Battery Management Systems and power circuit design
  • Experience with environmental testing requirements (vibration, shock, temperature, humidity) for aerospace applications
  • Familiarity with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for structural and thermal analysis
  • Understanding of airworthiness certification processes and safety assessment methodologies
Join Helsing and work with world-leading experts in their fields
  • Helsing's work is important. You'll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns
  • The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where robustness, safety, and ethical considerations are vital. You will face unique Engineering and AI challenges that make a meaningful impact in the world
  • Our work frequently takes us right up to the state of the art in technical innovation, be it reinforcement learning, distributed systems, generative AI, or deployment infrastructure. The defense industry is entering the most exciting phase of the technological development curve. Advances in our field of world are not incremental: Helsing is part of, and often leading, historic leaps forward
  • In our domain, success is a matter of order-of-magnitude improvements and novel capabilities. This means we take bets, aim high, and focus on big opportunities. Despite being a relatively young company, Helsing has already been selected for multiple significant government contracts
  • We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we do and how we choose to do it. Teams and individual engineers are trusted (and encouraged) to practice responsible autonomy and critical thinking, and to focus on outcomes, not conformity. At Helsing you will have a say in how we (and you!) work, the opportunity to engage on what does and doesn't work, and to take ownership of aspects of our culture that you care deeply about
What we offer
  • A focus on outcomes, not time-tracking
  • A generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to base salary) that includes, but may not be limited to, insurance coverage (medical and travel), flexible paid time off, paid holidays, and remote and/or hybrid work available depending on position. All compensation and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying plans or programs, as applicable and as may be amended, terminated or superseded from time to time.
  • Growth toward global roles in our Finance organization

The base salary offered to the successful candidate will be determined by a variety of factors including relevant experience, qualifications, education, skill level, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.
Helsing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.
Helsing's Candidate Privacy and Confidentiality Regime can be found here.

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