Virginia's Engineering pathway prepares students for careers in engineering design, manufacturing engineering, and technical problem-solving across diverse industries. Often delivered through Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering curriculum, this rigorous STEM program develops engineering thinking, design skills, and technical abilities. Virginia's strong engineering sectors including defense contractors, aerospace, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing create substantial demand for engineering professionals.
The pathway includes a four-year sequence: Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and specialty courses such as Digital Electronics, Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture, or Engineering Design and Development. Students use industry-standard engineering software, engage in hands-on design challenges, and apply mathematics and science to solve authentic problems. The curriculum emphasizes engineering design process, technical documentation, and teamwork.
Virginia's Engineering pathway benefits from proximity to major defense contractors (Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems), NASA Langley Research Center, and Newport News Shipbuilding providing authentic engineering experiences. The program prepares students for engineering technician careers, exceptional preparation for Virginia Tech, UVA, and other engineering programs, or entrepreneurial pursuits in product design and manufacturing.
Engineering at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's Engineering standards align with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) standards and Virginia Science Standards of Learning incorporating engineering design. State standards emphasize engineering design process, technical problem-solving, CAD and modeling, applied mathematics and physics, manufacturing processes, and professional engineering communication preparing students for engineering careers and postsecondary engineering education.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Engineering Design | 8440/8539 |
| Principles of Engineering | 8441/8540 |
| Engineering Specialty Course | varies |
| Engineering Design and Development | 8446/8547 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - Excel
- ✓IC3 Digital Literacy Certification
- ✓NOCTI Engineering Technology
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
- ✓FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- ✓TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test)
- ✓Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Engineering Technician
Entry LevelSalary range: $57,900 - $80,750
CAD Designer
Entry LevelSalary range: $51,990 - $77,300
Manufacturing Engineer
ExperiencedSalary range: $78,900 - $128,870
Aerospace Engineer
ExperiencedSalary range: $110,570 - $175,190
Mechanical Engineer
ExperiencedSalary range: $77,770 - $125,070
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in internships with engineering firms, defense contractors, and manufacturing companies throughout Virginia. Work-based learning includes collaborative projects with industry partners, engineering competitions including robotics and design challenges, and summer research at Virginia Tech, UVA, NASA Langley, or engineering companies. Many programs partner with Virginia's defense and aerospace industries.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in Technology Student Association (TSA), SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticStandards Alignment
Standards alignment in CTE refers to the process of ensuring that curriculum, instruction, and assessments directly connect to and address state-adopted CTE standards, academic standards, and industry-recognized competencies. Proper alignment ensures students develop the specific knowledge and skills their state requires for career readiness.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticCompetency-Based Education
Competency-Based Education (CBE) is an instructional approach where students advance by demonstrating mastery of specific knowledge and skills rather than by accumulating seat time. In CTE, CBE aligns naturally with industry expectations, as employers value demonstrated competency over time spent in training.
AssessmentReady to Build Engineering Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Engineering in Virginia.