Project Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Project Engineer jobs in Virginia are concentrated in the Northern Virginia corridor, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, where defense contracting, infrastructure, and commercial construction drive consistent demand at every level from entry-level to senior. Employers like Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and VDOT regularly bring on project engineers for civil, systems, and construction disciplines. The Northern Virginia market in particular ranks among the most active in the mid-Atlantic for this role. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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How you will contribute:
- Analysis and Technical Reporting: Analyze and interpret engineering data and information. Prepare complete, clear and concise reports and recommendations.
- Budgets: Budgets – Manage budgets to ensure expenditures do not exceed allocations by providing oversight and direction to the development and management of budgets for each functional area.
- Communication: Enhance current outreach efforts both internal and external to VDOT. Promote VDOT's mission to the community, business partners, and other stakeholder groups. Respond to inquiries from the public, DOT officials, CTB members, news media, and local, state, and federal agencies concerning district transportation activities, problems, projects, etc. Collaborate and communicate VDOT initiatives to other government entities. Strengthen relationships with legislators, local leaders, and other stakeholders. Maintain communication and outreach efforts with legislators, government and planning agencies, media, citizen groups, and a variety of special interest groups concerning project status, progress, successes and challenges.
- Communication: Establish an effective line of communication between VDOT, contractors, government agencies and the public. Investigate issues and resolve complaints.
- Engineering Process Management: Use established VDOT policies and procedures in the development and delivery of engineering projects. Engineering projects are completed in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
- Manage Assigned Activities: Plan, schedule and coordinate engineering program activities such that deliverables are met within the established scope and timeline.
- Program Management: Lead and deliver the district's Project Management activities. Monitor workload assignments such that development of transportation projects and design tasks are completed consistent with project scheduling.
- Program Management: Provide leadership and create an environment of high performance, commitment, partnership and support for the achievement of business goals. Organize work unit and assign workload ensuring effective use of human and fiscal resources. Monitor workload assignments such that projects and tasks are completed in support of VDOT programs. Manage time and adjust priorities of tasks. Provide on-going direction to project manager roles. Establish organizational structure supporting effective project management. Evaluate performance and make adjustments. Optimize resources across projects.
- Project Development: Oversee development of roadway designs for complex transportation projects. Provide technical direction and support to staff in the development of transportation projects. Oversee on-time advertisement dates for program projects. Ensure project schedule and cost estimate updates occur. Meet district goal for obligation of district's federal funds (PE, RFW and Construction). Provide oversight for management of consultant design and contract plan development for highway projects of substantial complexity in compliance with project scope. Provide direction for project activities. Integrate team member deliverables and budgets. Coordinate oversight with other divisions ensuring project segments remain on schedule.
- Project Engineering: Assist in the management of projects and tasks including development of and managing the scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, change management, quality, and status reports. Complete multiple concurrent tasks and assignments, and report updates on their status.
- Special Assignments: Manage special program initiatives and projects as assigned. Serve and represent VDOT or assigned program area on various committees and work groups.
- Strategic Management: Participate with other top departmental senior managers in implementing agency mission, goals and objectives. Engage fully as a member of the district’s senior leadership team by working with team members to support and promote achievement of district performance goals. Work on district-wide and special initiatives at DA request. Offer ideas and suggestions to team members supporting process improvements and program efficiencies. Ensure core functions and strategic initiatives are appropriately resourced and linked to the larger VDOT strategic plan.
- Teamwork and Customer Service: Demonstrates customer service and work habits that reflect the VDOT Values, and coordinates the flow of information both orally and in writing.
What will make you successful:
- Ability to apply engineering principles and practices.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences to include making technical presentations and conducting public meetings.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse groups.
- Ability to draw rational conclusions and develop solutions from analysis; make independent decisions; and manage multiple assignments.
- Ability to enforce and demonstrate safety behaviors, as well as advocate and practice safety in everyday work activities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to interpret technical data and prepare and maintain detailed reports.
- Ability to manage administrative, financial, and technical functions of an engineering work unit.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with competing deadlines and limited resources.
- Ability to manage staff, programs, and develop budgets.
- Ability to negotiate outcomes and work with diverse customer groups.
- Ability to present complex information to both internal and external individuals and groups.
- Ability to promptly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing objectives and focus individuals and teams on goal-oriented solutions.
- Ability to provide detailed reports on review findings.
- Ability to read and understand highway construction plans.
- Ability to research and analyze data and prepare and present technical reports.
- Advanced knowledge of transportation and highway engineering principles, laws and regulations.
- Demonstrated knowledge and application of engineering design principles, practices and procedures and technical aspects for a range of roadway systems.
- Extensive knowledge of transportation project management, development, design, construction and integration on complex projects and associated regulatory, finance and legal constraints.
- Knowledge engineering specifications and standards.
- Knowledge of VDOT, state, and federal policies and procedures relating to transportation engineering.
- Knowledge of project management procedures and principles.
- Knowledge of strategic and operational principles, practices, and techniques.
- Knowledge of supervisory and human resources practices and principles to include hiring, discipline, performance management, and employee development.
- Knowledge of transportation project management and transportation project engineering.
- Project management skills on a variety of transportation projects.
- Skill in building networks and relationships with employees from other divisions, field personnel, contractors, manufacturers and FHWA representatives.
- Skill in effectively managing multiple, high value contracts within the transportation industry.
- Skill in effectively planning and scheduling work of diverse teams.
- Skill in leadership coaching, counseling, training, and development.
- Skill in managing the delivery of exemplary customer service by self and others.
- Skill in maneuvering through complex political situations effectively while demonstrating sensitivity to how people and organizations function.
- Skill in providing and promoting good customer service to internal and external customers.
- Skill in the development and management of project schedules.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include MS Office, project management and engineering software programs.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include engineering design and analysis software.
- Skill in working with all levels of management and elected and appointed officials.
- Substantial knowledge of transportation project engineering.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
- Experience applying construction engineering principles, practices, procedures and technical aspects for a range of roadway systems.
- Experience reflecting knowledge of supervisory principles and practices to include performance management and discipline.
- Extensive experience in transportation project management, development, design, construction and integration on complex projects and associated regulatory, finance and legal constraints.
- Progressively responsible engineering management experience applying roadway design criteria, construction engineering methods, standards, specifications and materials.
- Project management experience on a variety of complex transportation projects to include managing multiple, high value contracts within the transportation industry.
- Skill in building networks and relationships with employees, design teams, consultants, and FHWA representatives.
- Skill in the development and management of project development schedules.
- Valid Professional Engineer's license.
Additional Considerations:
- Certification as a Project Management Professional.
- Experience designing complex projects in transportation engineering.
- Experience working with public relations functions.
- Extensive experience managing the development of projects in the transportation engineering industry.
- Progressively responsible experience managing preliminary engineering activities, to include supervising administrative, professional and technical staff.
Click below to learn more about the Competency Model associated with this Position:
Competency Model
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements
VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.
VDOT Code of Ethics
Standards of Conduct
See All 301+ Project Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Engineer JobsProject Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- RK&K10

- ECS Limited8

- Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson8

- DPR Construction7

- Deloitte6

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services30
- Construction & Real Estate11
- Staffing & Recruiting5
- Technology & Software3
- Energy1
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, electrical, or related engineering discipline required
- Engineer-in-Training or Professional Engineer licensure through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation preferred
- Two or more years of experience managing project schedules, budgets, and deliverables
- Proficiency with project management software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project
- Strong working knowledge of contract documents, RFIs, and submittal review processes
- PMP certification or active pursuit of certification is commonly requested by Virginia employers
Project Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project engineer in Virginia?
Most project engineer roles in Virginia require a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, and many employers expect candidates to hold or be pursuing licensure through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The path typically begins with an Engineer-in-Training credential after passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, then progressing toward full Professional Engineer licensure. Defense and federal contracting roles in Northern Virginia may also require a security clearance alongside technical qualifications.
Which companies hire project engineers in Virginia?
Companies currently hiring project engineers in Virginia include RK&K, ECS Limited, and Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies, defense primes, and large infrastructure programs means demand stays broad across both the public and private sectors.
Which Virginia cities have the most project engineer jobs?
The cities with the most project engineer openings in Virginia are Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Arlington. Northern Virginia drives the largest share of listings because of its dense cluster of defense contractors and federal agencies, while Richmond and Hampton Roads generate steady demand through infrastructure, utilities, and commercial construction projects anchored by large regional employers.
Are there remote project engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're less common, since project engineers typically coordinate on-site work, inspect physical progress, and manage field teams. About 35% of project engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles. The portions of the job most likely to be done remotely include planning, documentation, scheduling, and stakeholder reporting rather than field coordination.
How can I get hired as a project engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for assistant project engineer or project coordinator roles, which Virginia contractors and defense primes regularly post as structured entry points for new graduates. Large employers like HITT Contracting, Dominion Energy, and the Virginia Department of Transportation run new-graduate programs and associate-level tracks that provide supervised project exposure. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and earning an Engineer-in-Training credential through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation gives candidates a measurable edge over those without it.
Where can I find and apply to project engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to project engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across industries and experience levels. Search for roles that match your background, review the requirements, and apply directly to the ones that fit. No signup is required to see the listings.
See All 301+ Project Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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