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Virtual Reality Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration ... Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual ...

Biomedical Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

... virtual reality simulators) 4) Shall be able to read, write, speak and understand English. 5) Be a U.S Citizen. . 6) Minimum Three (3) years' experience with at least one of the following systems:

As a Data Engineer at Meta, you will shape the future of people-facing and business-facing products ... and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to ...

As a Data Engineer at Meta, you will shape the future of people-facing and business-facing products ... and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to ...

... virtual reality simulators) 4) Shall be able to read, write, speak and understand English. 5) Be a U.S Citizen. . 6) Minimum Three (3) years' experience with at least one of the following systems:

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Virtual Reality Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$20.9K

$102.3K

$215.8K

How much do virtual reality engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for virtual reality engineer in Washington is $102,267.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,051.00 and $128,839.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges virtual reality engineers face when developing immersive experiences?

Virtual Reality Engineers often encounter challenges related to optimizing performance for real-time rendering, ensuring user comfort to prevent motion sickness, and creating intuitive interactions within the virtual environment. Balancing visual fidelity with hardware limitations and maintaining low latency for a seamless experience can be demanding. Collaboration with designers, artists, and UX specialists is crucial to address these issues and achieve engaging, user-friendly VR applications.

How much does a virtual reality engineer make?

The average salary for a virtual reality engineer typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Professionals with expertise in 3D modeling, programming, and VR hardware may earn higher salaries, especially in tech hubs or specialized industries.

What does a virtual reality engineer do?

A virtual reality engineer designs and develops immersive VR experiences by creating software, 3D models, and interactive environments. They often work with programming languages like C++ or Unity, and may test hardware and software to ensure seamless user experiences in gaming, training, or simulation applications.

What is a virtual reality engineer?

Virtual Reality Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and implement immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences and applications. They use a combination of software development, 3D modeling, and hardware integration to create interactive environments that can be used in gaming, education, training, healthcare, and other industries. VR engineers work with tools like Unity or Unreal Engine, and often collaborate with designers, artists, and hardware specialists to deliver realistic and engaging virtual experiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a virtual reality engineer?

To thrive as a Virtual Reality Engineer, you need strong programming skills (such as C#, C++, or Unity), a solid understanding of 3D graphics, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with VR development platforms like Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as experience with VR hardware SDKs (e.g., Oculus, HTC Vive), are typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial to developing immersive and technically sound VR experiences that meet user needs and push technological boundaries.
What are popular job titles related to Virtual Reality Engineer jobs in Washington? For Virtual Reality Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Virtual Reality Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Virtual Reality Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Virtual Reality Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Virtual Reality Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Virtual Reality Engineer job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 7% Temporary, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 81% In-person, 9% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,267 per year, or $49.2 per hour.

AR/VR/XR Visualization Research and Development Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University

Reston, VA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a driven, innovative Visualization Research and Development Engineer to join the Advanced Visualization Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. Our department develops cutting-edge visualization solutions that push the boundaries ofcollaborative visualization, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) applications for critical national security missions.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

  • Design experiences, interactions, and applications that support effective collaboration for research sponsors
  • Design and implement application programming interfaces (APIs) to pass data between disparate software applications
  • Develop methodologies for effective integration, visualization, and dissemination of novel 3D data sources using game-engine-based synthetic environment frameworks
  • Create tool workflows or visual communication methods using internally and externally-developed toolkits to illustrate and document complex concepts
  • Integrate features and solutions with synthetic environment frameworks being applied to multiple sponsored projects across domains
  • Deploy solutions to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) platforms including the latest hardware from Meta, Varjo, HTC, and others
  • Perform systems engineering activities to improve data flows and processes
  • Brief research sponsors on technical solutions
  • Develop engineering and technical documentation
  • Draft whitepapers and proposals for research sponsors

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:

  • Lead the development and prototyping of hardware and software-based solutions for sponsor challenges
  • Define immersive interaction standards
  • Develop new processes for visualizing content using immersive technology
  • Develop and manage new sponsor relationships
  • Design and develop architectures of industry-related engineering systems, applying knowledge of complex principles, theories, concepts, tools and techniques to design challenges
  • Independently manage multiple and/or large IT projects
  • Plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of the work of a major project or in a total project of moderate scope
  • Understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them
  • Develop and maintain long-term professional relationships with government sponsors, industry partners, and academic collaborators to ensure programs meet customer
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for the sponsor when needed

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

  • Software development proficiency (C#, Python, or Java)
  • Team-based software development, troubleshooting, and deployment experience
  • Software engineering, systems engineering, human computer interfaces, or visualization technologies

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

  • Master's Degree
  • Active security clearance, TS/SCI preferred, or current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret/Top Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required
  • Advanced software development in C#, Python, or Java focusing on modular programming and performance
  • Extended Reality (XR) application development (Unity/Unreal)
  • Cloud deployment experience (AWS/Azure)
  • Software containerization and deployment (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes, Helm, etc.)
  • DevSecOps experience
  • Graphics programming - rendering, graphical shaders, etc.
  • Network programming such as TCP/UDP and client-server
  • Messaging interfaces (ActiveMQ, DDS, Kafka, etc.)
  • Databases (PostGRES-PostGIS preferred)
  • Performance optimization and process automation experience
  • Geospatial data formats and standards
  • CompTIA Security+ certification
  • Project management or related skills

Your working location will be: fully on-site located in State College, PA or Reston, VA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Software (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Software (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $105,900.00 - $200,808.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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About Pennsylvania State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Pennsylvania State University, often referred to as Penn State, is a major, public, research-intensive university located in University Park, PA, US. This esteemed institution serves as an important player within the education industry, offering a plethora of academic programs across various disciplines. The university was founded in 1855 with the mission to provide quality education, advanced research, and service to society. Penn State holds firmly to values of integrity, respect, and excellence, fostering a diverse and inclusive community. The university is renowned for its research productivity and its high-ranking programs in areas like engineering, business, and education. One notable achievement of the institution is its designation as a "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity," demonstrating its commitment to scholarship and discovery.

Industry

Education

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

University Park, PA, US

Year founded

1855

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