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

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

Senior Design Electrical Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$108K - $141K/yr

The Senior Design Electrical Engineer is responsible for the end-to-end electrical engineering design scope associated with the conversion of a crude oil refinery into a fuel terminal in Papua New ...

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Sr Design Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$73.3K

$140K

$202.9K

How much do sr design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr design engineer in Reston, VA is $140,008.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,800.00 and $163,900.00 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.

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

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 are Sr Design Engineers?

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:
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

KBR

Washington, DC

$150K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


KBR rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

102nd of 369 rated engineering


Job description

Title:

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country's most critical role - protecting our national security.

KBR is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with strong CAD proficiency and leadership experience to join our growing team of engineers supporting cutting-edge defense programs. The successful candidate will lead mechanical design efforts and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to develop commercial systems and components.

Why Join Us?

  • Innovative Projects:KBR's work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

  • Collaborative Environment:Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

  • Impactful Work:Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

Work Environment:

  • Location: On-site R&D Lab, (*No Telework/hybrid arrangements available)

  • Work hours: 0600-1430, with some overtime, based on mission needs

  • Travel Requirements: 5-10%

  • Working Hours: Standard

Basic Compensation:

$150,000 - $190,000 USD annually

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead mechanical design efforts from concept through final production.

  • Research, design, and evaluate mechanical products and systems to meet operational and performance requirements.

  • Apply knowledge of engineering principles to develop structural components.

  • Solve technical design problems and perform system-level design analyses.

  • Develop mechanical and structural layouts using CAD tools.

  • Conduct feasibility and performance testing on components and systems.

  • Participate in design reviews and support production and integration activities.

  • Work closely with a small team to execute fast paced, short timeline projects, both individually and as a team.

Required Qualifications:

  • Active/Current DoD Secret clearance required

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.

  • A minimum of 8 years of experience performing mechanical design on complex systems.

  • Experience leading design efforts and mentoring junior engineers.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in electronics packaging, including thermal and structural considerations.

  • Familiarity with Space Flight hardware.

  • Strong understanding of the full engineering lifecycle from concept to production.

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams.

  • Experience with Solidworks CAD/CAM tools in 3D modeling

  • Experience in developing 3D models and drawings for fabrication and machining

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you are excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.


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About KBR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At KBR, we partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. With a full portfolio of services, proprietary technologies and expertise, our employees are ready to handle projects and missions from planning and design to sustainability and maintenance. Whether at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space, our clients trust us to deliver the impossible on a daily basis.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

1998