Mechanical Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Mechanical Engineer jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in the federal contracting corridor anchored around Washington, D.C., with significant hiring from defense and aerospace primes, government agencies, and infrastructure consultancies. Major employers with lasting presences include Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC, all of which maintain large engineering workforces supporting federal clients. Demand is strongest in systems engineering, HVAC and building mechanical systems, and defense-related structural and thermal analysis. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Mechanical Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 13+ Mechanical Engineer jobs
Start designing tomorrow’s future!
Buro Happold is seeking a motivated and collaborative Graduate Mechanical Engineer to join our team and contribute to innovative and sustainable engineering solutions.
As a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, you will work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to impactful projects that shape communities, advance sustainability, and support the global effort to address climate change.
Learn more about Mechanical Engineering at Buro Happold
Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.
From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.
Your next role
Join us and be surrounded by exceptional opportunities in an environment alive with innovation and possibility. Your new team has a willingness and curiosity to see possibility and potential in everything – from the most iconic projects to our everyday conversations.
Your key duties
- Embrace the latest technologies to improve performance and sustainability
- Perform detailed HVAC engineering building services design
- Carry out HVAC calculations using the latest industry-standard software
- Prepare technical drawings, flow diagrams, schedules, and reports
- Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams with senior management
- Ensure service and project work are carried out to an excellent standard within agreed deadlines and budget
Your skills and experience
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Architectural Engineering preferred; however, candidates with related engineering degrees, such as Civil, Environmental, or Sanitary Engineering, are encouraged to apply
- Coursework in HVAC design, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid hydraulics/dynamics.
- Familiarity with BIM modelling software, such as Revit and AutoCAD
- Knowledge of HVAC load modelling software a plus
- Internship experience at engineering related firm preferred, and proven interest in the built environment
- Ability to communicate thoughts and technical ideas in an accessible manner
- Eagerness to learn and work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they don’t meet all requirements
What we offer
- Salary range of $80,000 to $83,000. This will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience
- Generous benefits package
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Generous PTO (4 weeks) in addition to 10 paid holidays
- 401k with company match
- Hybrid working & summer hours
- Reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees
- Connection to global network of experts on the forefront of industry initiatives
- Access to wide ranging learning and development opportunities
- Connect with colleagues and build your network through our Employee Resource Groups, including the Young Employees Forum, Diversity & Inclusion Forum, Women's Network, Wellness Committee, and Black at Buro Happold
Ready for something a little less ordinary?
Apply now to start your career journey with us.
Learn more about our office locations
A place for everyone
Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.
Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.
We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.
Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.
Start designing tomorrow’s future!
Buro Happold is seeking a motivated and collaborative Graduate Mechanical Engineer to join our team and contribute to innovative and sustainable engineering solutions.
As a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, you will work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to impactful projects that shape communities, advance sustainability, and support the global effort to address climate change.
Learn more about Mechanical Engineering at Buro Happold
Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.
From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.
Your next role
Join us and be surrounded by exceptional opportunities in an environment alive with innovation and possibility. Your new team has a willingness and curiosity to see possibility and potential in everything – from the most iconic projects to our everyday conversations.
Your key duties
- Embrace the latest technologies to improve performance and sustainability
- Perform detailed HVAC engineering building services design
- Carry out HVAC calculations using the latest industry-standard software
- Prepare technical drawings, flow diagrams, schedules, and reports
- Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams with senior management
- Ensure service and project work are carried out to an excellent standard within agreed deadlines and budget
Your skills and experience
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Architectural Engineering preferred; however, candidates with related engineering degrees, such as Civil, Environmental, or Sanitary Engineering, are encouraged to apply
- Coursework in HVAC design, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid hydraulics/dynamics.
- Familiarity with BIM modelling software, such as Revit and AutoCAD
- Knowledge of HVAC load modelling software a plus
- Internship experience at engineering related firm preferred, and proven interest in the built environment
- Ability to communicate thoughts and technical ideas in an accessible manner
- Eagerness to learn and work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they don’t meet all requirements
What we offer
- Salary range of $80,000 to $83,000. This will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience
- Generous benefits package
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Generous PTO (4 weeks) in addition to 10 paid holidays
- 401k with company match
- Hybrid working & summer hours
- Reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees
- Connection to global network of experts on the forefront of industry initiatives
- Access to wide ranging learning and development opportunities
- Connect with colleagues and build your network through our Employee Resource Groups, including the Young Employees Forum, Diversity & Inclusion Forum, Women's Network, Wellness Committee, and Black at Buro Happold
Ready for something a little less ordinary?
Apply now to start your career journey with us.
Learn more about our office locations
A place for everyone
Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.
Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.
We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.
Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.
See All 13 Mechanical Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Engineer JobsMechanical Engineer Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical engineer jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline required
- Professional Engineer license in District of Columbia or eligibility through reciprocity strongly preferred
- Experience with CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA for design and analysis work
- Familiarity with federal procurement standards, ASME codes, or MIL-SPEC documentation practices
- Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one for positions supporting federal clients
- Proficiency in finite element analysis, thermal modeling, or fluid dynamics simulation tools
Mechanical Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical engineer in District of Columbia?
You need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited program, followed by the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn Engineer-in-Training status. After accumulating the required years of progressive engineering experience, you apply for licensure through the District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades, which oversees Professional Engineer registration in D.C. Many federal contracting roles also expect candidates to pursue or hold a security clearance alongside their PE credential.
How much do mechanical engineers make in District of Columbia?
Mechanical engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of about $133,300 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $86,820 for the lowest 10% to over $195,190 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mechanical engineers in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring mechanical engineers in District of Columbia right now include EXP, Arcadis, and DLR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The D.C. market is heavily shaped by the federal contracting ecosystem, so defense and technology services firms with long-term government contracts tend to post the most consistent volume.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most mechanical engineer jobs?
The cities with the most mechanical engineer openings in District of Columbia are Washington and Naval Research Laboratory. The concentration reflects D.C.'s dense federal agency presence and the ring of major contractors and consultancies that operate out of offices close to their government clients, from the Capitol Hill corridor to the northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs that fall within the metro.
Are there remote mechanical engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, but they're uncommon. About 100% of mechanical engineer openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which is consistent with the hands-on, lab, and site-dependent nature of most mechanical work. The roles most likely to offer flexibility are analytical positions in systems engineering, technical writing, or modeling and simulation that don't require physical access to hardware or federal facilities.
How can I get hired as a mechanical engineer in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through federal contractor internship and new-graduate programs, with firms like Leidos, SAIC, and Booz Allen Hamilton running structured rotational and associate engineer tracks that hire early-career candidates directly. Targeting roles titled junior mechanical engineer, mechanical engineering analyst, or systems support engineer gives candidates without full experience a realistic way in. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before applying demonstrates commitment and gives your application a concrete credential to stand on.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to mechanical engineer jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across D.C. and the surrounding metro. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and the type of work you want to do, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 13 Mechanical Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs