Research Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC's research engineer market is anchored by federal agencies, defense contractors, and policy-focused institutions. Organizations like MITRE, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the National Institutes of Health regularly hire research engineers and have established visa sponsorship processes. The region's concentration of government-adjacent work creates steady demand for specialized technical talent from international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.
Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Time Type
Part time
Job Type
Temporary (Fixed Term)
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Work Modality
Union: Excluded
Job Description
Summary
The Research Associate will oversee the day-to-day operations of an urban heat field study conducted in partnership with the DC Department of Transportation. The position combines field leadership with project coordination responsibilities, serving as the primary operational point of contact between the research team, the Principal Investigator, and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate has prior experience managing field research campaigns, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle logistics and public-facing communication in a professional manner. Availability for two short sessions in summer 2026 is preferred, though candidates available for only one session will also be considered.
Essential Functions
-
Planning Field Work:
Coordinate the overall field measurement campaign, including scheduling field days, managing site routing, and ensuring all equipment and personnel are prepared and in place.
Serve as the on-the-ground point person during field operations, resolving logistical issues as they arise.
Oversee instrument deployment and data collection across multiple field teams, ensuring protocol adherence and data quality.
Perform and supervise instrument calibration, setup, and maintenance throughout the measurement period.
Complete field survey forms and oversee data download and backup at the end of each field day. -
Leading Field Work:
Supervise graduate and undergraduate field research assistants during field sessions.
Provide direction, training, and on-site support to field team members.
Communicate field day status, staffing needs, and data quality issues to the Principal Investigator in a timely manner.
Serve as the primary point of contact for members of the public encountered during field operations, including residents, passersby, and local business owners.
Liaise professionally with law enforcement and other officials as needed during street-based data collection on public roadways.
Communicate with DDOT and other project stakeholders on operational and logistical matters as directed by the PI. -
Organizing Data from Field:
Track project expenditures and assist with budget monitoring.
Assist with report preparation, data organization, and other project deliverables as needed.
Supervisory Responsibility
Indirectly supervises a team of up to 16 students.
Competencies
- Managing Talent.
- Developing Plans.
- Collaborative Leadership.
- Managing Performance.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
- Part-time.
- Up to 27 hours per week.
- Temporary position.
- This position is grant funded, to be hired from late June to early September, 21st, 2026.
- Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding.
Salary Range
$24.00 per hour.
Required Education And Experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Less than 1 year of relevant experience.
Preferred Education And Experience
Master's degree or equivalent.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Should have experience measuring climate and surface energy balance quantities in the field.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
INTRODUCTION
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.
Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Time Type
Part time
Job Type
Temporary (Fixed Term)
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Work Modality
Union: Excluded
Job Description
Summary
The Research Associate will oversee the day-to-day operations of an urban heat field study conducted in partnership with the DC Department of Transportation. The position combines field leadership with project coordination responsibilities, serving as the primary operational point of contact between the research team, the Principal Investigator, and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate has prior experience managing field research campaigns, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle logistics and public-facing communication in a professional manner. Availability for two short sessions in summer 2026 is preferred, though candidates available for only one session will also be considered.
Essential Functions
-
Planning Field Work:
Coordinate the overall field measurement campaign, including scheduling field days, managing site routing, and ensuring all equipment and personnel are prepared and in place.
Serve as the on-the-ground point person during field operations, resolving logistical issues as they arise.
Oversee instrument deployment and data collection across multiple field teams, ensuring protocol adherence and data quality.
Perform and supervise instrument calibration, setup, and maintenance throughout the measurement period.
Complete field survey forms and oversee data download and backup at the end of each field day. -
Leading Field Work:
Supervise graduate and undergraduate field research assistants during field sessions.
Provide direction, training, and on-site support to field team members.
Communicate field day status, staffing needs, and data quality issues to the Principal Investigator in a timely manner.
Serve as the primary point of contact for members of the public encountered during field operations, including residents, passersby, and local business owners.
Liaise professionally with law enforcement and other officials as needed during street-based data collection on public roadways.
Communicate with DDOT and other project stakeholders on operational and logistical matters as directed by the PI. -
Organizing Data from Field:
Track project expenditures and assist with budget monitoring.
Assist with report preparation, data organization, and other project deliverables as needed.
Supervisory Responsibility
Indirectly supervises a team of up to 16 students.
Competencies
- Managing Talent.
- Developing Plans.
- Collaborative Leadership.
- Managing Performance.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
- Part-time.
- Up to 27 hours per week.
- Temporary position.
- This position is grant funded, to be hired from late June to early September, 21st, 2026.
- Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding.
Salary Range
$24.00 per hour.
Required Education And Experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Less than 1 year of relevant experience.
Preferred Education And Experience
Master's degree or equivalent.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Should have experience measuring climate and surface energy balance quantities in the field.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
Research Engineer Job Roles in Washington DC
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Search Research Engineer Jobs in Washington DCResearch Engineer Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research engineers in Washington DC?
MITRE Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC are among the larger employers in the DC area with established visa sponsorship processes for research engineers. Academic and nonprofit institutions like George Washington University and the National Institutes of Health also sponsor research engineer roles. Sponsorship activity varies by team and project, so confirming with individual employers is always worth the effort.
Which visa types are most common for research engineer roles in Washington DC?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa category for research engineers, as the role typically meets the specialty occupation requirement with a degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Candidates with extraordinary research records may qualify for the O-1A. Some positions at universities or nonprofit research institutions may be eligible for cap-exempt H-1B filings, which are not subject to the annual lottery.
Which areas in Washington DC have the most research engineer sponsorship jobs?
Washington DC itself is the primary hub, but the broader metro area matters significantly. Northern Virginia, particularly the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and Tysons, hosts major defense and technology contractors. The Maryland suburbs, including Bethesda and Rockville, are home to federal health research facilities and biotech firms. Most research engineer sponsorship activity is concentrated across these connected metro zones rather than in DC proper alone.
How to find research engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it easier to find research engineer roles in Washington DC without sorting through positions that don't offer sponsorship. The platform surfaces openings at defense contractors, research institutions, and technology firms active in the DC metro area. Filtering by role and location gives international candidates a focused starting point rather than a broad, unfiltered search.
Are there any DC-specific considerations for research engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
A meaningful share of research engineer positions in DC involve work with federal agencies, which can create security clearance requirements. Some clearances are restricted to U.S. citizens, which effectively limits sponsorship eligibility for those specific roles. Research engineers should look closely at job postings for clearance language before applying. Roles at universities, private research labs, and commercial technology firms generally do not carry the same restrictions.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research engineer jobs in Washington DC?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.