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Utilities Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

As a Utilities Engineer, you will conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of critical utility systems-including electrical distribution, prime power, water, wastewater, HVAC, and supporting ...

As a Utilities Engineer, you will conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of critical utility systems-including electrical distribution, prime power, water, wastewater, HVAC, and supporting ...

Engineering Design, Technical Review & Delivery ... Design of utilities (electric and/or water and/or gas and/or telecom). * Provide consolidated ...

Engineering Design, Technical Review & Delivery ... Design of utilities (electric and/or water and/or gas and/or telecom). * Provide consolidated ...

Utility Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$75K - $133K/yr

Summary Utility Engineers oversee industrial utility systems and infrastructure deployed at Agency data centers worldwide. Learn more about this agency Duties Help As a Utility Engineer, you will ...

Utility Planning Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

A well-established infrastructure and utilities organization is seeking an engineering professional to support long-term system planning and capital improvement initiatives related to water ...

Dry Utilities Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

Civil engineering experience and dry utility construction experience preferred. The qualified candidate must be able to perform all aspects of dry utility plan preparation and permit procurement. The ...

Dry Utilities Manager

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$105K - $135K/yr

Civil engineering experience and dry utility construction experience preferred. The qualified candidate must be able to perform all aspects of dry utility plan preparation and permit procurement. The ...

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering. * 7 years experience in utilities management, facility engineering, industrial maintenance, or related fields. * Strong knowledge of ...

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Showing results 1-20

Utilities Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$39.6K

$109.6K

$189.1K

How much do utilities engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for utilities engineer in Washington is $109,612.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Utilities Engineers in maintaining infrastructure reliability?

Utilities Engineers often encounter challenges such as aging infrastructure, fluctuating demand, and adherence to strict regulatory standards. They must proactively diagnose and address potential issues in systems like water, gas, or electrical networks to minimize service interruptions. Collaboration with operations teams and outside contractors is essential, as is staying updated on new technologies and safety protocols. Overcoming these challenges requires strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication within multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Utilities Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectUtilities EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, often in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineeringRequires a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentWorks in power plants, water treatment facilities, or large industrial sitesWorks in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or HVAC systems
Industry UsageCommonly employed in utilities, energy, and infrastructure sectorsCommonly employed in manufacturing, automotive, and HVAC industries
Job FocusFocuses on utility systems, infrastructure maintenance, and energy efficiencyFocuses on designing, analyzing, and maintaining mechanical systems

The main difference between Utilities Engineer and Mechanical Engineer lies in their work focus and environment. Utilities Engineers primarily work with utility systems in energy and infrastructure sectors, while Mechanical Engineers focus on mechanical systems across various industries. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but serve different operational needs.

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

To thrive as a Utilities Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, utilities systems design, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, SCADA systems, and industry-specific certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are typically required. Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help you coordinate with stakeholders and address operational challenges. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable utility services in compliance with industry standards.

What are Utilities Engineers?

Utilities Engineers are professionals responsible for designing, operating, and maintaining essential utility systems such as water, gas, electricity, and waste management. They ensure that these systems function efficiently and comply with safety and environmental regulations. Utilities Engineers may work for public utility companies, private firms, or government agencies, and their work is crucial for supporting infrastructure and public health. Their role often involves both fieldwork and office-based planning, troubleshooting, and project management.
What are the most commonly searched types of Utilities Engineer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Utilities Engineer jobs in Washington are:
Infographic showing various Utilities Engineer job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $109,612 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

Utilities Engineer

JRC Careers

Fort Belvoir, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Join JRC's Critical Infrastructure Assessment Team!

JRC has an immediate opening for a Utilities Engineer to support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Assessment, Exercise, and Modeling & Simulation Support (AEMSS) Blue Team. In this mission-critical role, you will work alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams to assess utility infrastructure supporting Department of Defense installations and facilities.

As a Utilities Engineer, you will conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of critical utility systems-including electrical distribution, prime power, water, wastewater, HVAC, and supporting infrastructure-to identify operational risks, evaluate mission impacts, and develop recommendations that strengthen installation resilience and mission assurance.

This position offers the opportunity to directly support national security by helping ensure the survivability and operational readiness of critical defense infrastructure worldwide.

What You'll Do

Utilities Infrastructure Assessments

  • Conduct on-site assessments of utility infrastructure, systems, and operational programs supporting Department of Defense installations.
  • Evaluate electrical, mechanical, water, wastewater, and utility distribution systems to identify vulnerabilities that could impact mission execution.
  • Analyze system performance, operational reliability, redundancy, and resilience of mission-critical utility infrastructure.
  • Develop engineering recommendations that mitigate identified vulnerabilities and improve installation resilience.

Mission Assurance & Vulnerability Analysis

  • Perform vulnerability assessments of utility equipment, systems, and supporting infrastructure across government and defense facilities.
  • Evaluate the impact of utility failures on mission-essential functions and critical operations.
  • Support installation mission assurance activities by documenting operational risks and recommending corrective actions.
  • Prepare comprehensive engineering reports detailing findings, risk analyses, and mitigation strategies.

Engineering & Project Support

  • Coordinate with engineers, architects, contractors, security personnel, and government stakeholders to evaluate utility system performance and compliance.
  • Review engineering drawings, facility documentation, system layouts, and construction plans.
  • Support facility sustainment, modernization, recapitalization, and capital improvement initiatives.
  • Assist with engineering studies, infrastructure planning, and lifecycle replacement recommendations.

Utility Operations & Maintenance

  • Evaluate preventive and predictive maintenance programs supporting:
    • Prime Power Systems
    • Electrical Distribution
    • Domestic Water Systems
    • Industrial Water Systems
    • Wastewater Treatment Systems
    • Mechanical Utility Systems
    • HVAC Infrastructure
    • Emergency Power Systems
  • Assess maintenance effectiveness and recommend improvements to increase operational availability and equipment reliability.

Compliance & Risk Management

  • Verify compliance with:
    • Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC)
    • OSHA Standards
    • NFPA Codes
    • Environmental regulations
    • DoD engineering standards
    • Federal utility and facility requirements
  • Evaluate contractor performance and ensure work complies with engineering specifications, safety standards, budgets, and schedules.

Collaboration & Customer Engagement

  • Coordinate with installation leadership, Department of Defense organizations, contractors, and cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Support mission assurance initiatives by facilitating communication between technical and operational stakeholders.
  • Present engineering findings and technical recommendations to senior government leadership and customers.

Security & Mission Support

  • Ensure utility assessments and engineering activities support government security requirements.
  • Collaborate with security professionals to identify and mitigate infrastructure-related risks.
  • Support DTRA mission requirements through engineering expertise and technical consultation.

What You Bring to the Table

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Marine Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • Operational experience within the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Program, U.S. Army Prime Power Program, or equivalent utility engineering experience is highly preferred.
  • 5+ years of experience supporting utility engineering, facility infrastructure, system operations, preventive maintenance programs, or prime power operations within military, government, industrial, or large-scale commercial environments.
  • Active Top-Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI eligibility.
  • Experience conducting utility infrastructure vulnerability assessments and facility engineering evaluations.
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Prime Power Systems
    • Electrical Distribution
    • Water Treatment Systems
    • Wastewater Systems
    • Utility Lifecycle Planning
    • Critical Infrastructure Protection
    • Building Codes and Engineering Standards
    • Environmental Compliance
    • Safety Regulations
  • Experience supporting facility sustainment, modernization, and capital improvement programs.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and construction documents.
  • Experience coordinating with contractors, engineers, architects, and government stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience supporting multidisciplinary engineering teams and mission-critical operations.
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to independently prioritize multiple engineering tasks in dynamic operational environments.

Bonus Points

  • Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Industrial, Nuclear Engineering, or related discipline.
  • 5+ years conducting utility infrastructure inspections or engineering assessments.
  • Experience supporting Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) programs.
  • Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
  • Familiarity with:
    • DoD Security Policies
    • Department of Energy (DOE) Requirements
    • Mission Assurance Programs
    • Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP)
    • Utility Resilience Planning
    • Facility Condition Assessments (FCA)
  • Experience supporting military installations, strategic facilities, or national security infrastructure.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license.
  • OSHA 30 Certification.
  • Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or Facility Management credentials are a plus.