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Associate Principal Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of Pasadena, CA

Principal Engineer

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$157K - $196K/yr

... Principal Engineer (Water Resources and Planning ) . with the The Principal Enginee r leads the ... For further questions or inquiries, please contact Koff & Associates recruiter Chelsea Freeman with ...

HDR

Associate Principal, Interiors

San Diego, CA · On-site

In the role of Associate Principal, Interiors, we'll count on you to: Be responsible for design in ... programming through construction administration. S/he also leads the interior design team on ...

New

Wood Rodgers

Principal Engineer

Sacramento, CA

$126K - $158K/yr

This is a Senior Associate, salary, exempt position. A day in the life as a Wood Rodgers' Principal Engineer * Develop and maintain internal and external client relationships, including project and ...

Wood Rodgers

Principal Engineer

Roseville, CA

$126K - $158K/yr

This is a Senior Associate, salary, exempt position. A day in the life as a Wood Rodgers' Principal Engineer * Develop and maintain internal and external client relationships, including project and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAssociate Principal Engineer JobsAssociate Principal Engineer Jobs in California

Associate Principal Engineer information

See California salary details

$41K

$81.6K

$130.3K

How much do associate principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate principal engineer in California is $81,554.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,600.00 and $93,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Principal Engineer vs Senior Engineer?

AspectAssociate Principal EngineerSenior Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, professional certifications often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, some certifications beneficial
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, cross-team collaboration, strategic planningProject-focused, technical problem-solving, mentorship
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, R&D, and engineering firmsCommon across industries, especially in tech, manufacturing, and engineering

The Associate Principal Engineer typically holds a more senior, strategic role involving leadership and cross-team coordination, whereas a Senior Engineer focuses on technical expertise and project execution. Both roles require strong engineering credentials, but the Associate Principal Engineer often has additional responsibilities in guiding technical direction and mentoring.

What is an associate principal engineer?

An Associate Principal Engineer is a senior-level technical professional who leads complex engineering projects and provides guidance to other engineers. They are responsible for designing solutions, ensuring technical quality, and often play a key role in setting engineering standards and best practices within an organization. In addition to their technical expertise, they may collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior staff, and contribute to strategic planning. This role typically requires extensive experience and a proven track record of technical leadership.

How does an associate principal engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within an organization?

As an Associate Principal Engineer, you will frequently work alongside product managers, designers, and other engineering disciplines to translate business requirements into technical solutions. Collaboration often involves participating in architecture reviews, providing technical guidance, and ensuring alignment across teams during project development cycles. This role requires strong communication skills to articulate complex concepts and facilitate consensus among stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment that supports both innovation and delivery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate principal engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Principal Engineer, you need advanced engineering expertise, a relevant bachelor's or master's degree, and significant experience in your technical domain. Familiarity with industry-standard design tools, project management software, and certifications like PMP or relevant technical credentials are often required. Strong leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help you guide project teams and collaborate across departments. These abilities ensure successful project delivery, innovation, and alignment with organizational goals.
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Principal Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Principal Engineer job openings:
Associate Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Principal Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,554 per year, or $39.2 per hour.

Associate Principal / Senior Electrical Engineer

Interface Engineering, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • Hybrid

$141K - $178K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Join a People-First, Employee-Owned Firm That’s Redefining Flexibility and Growth
Associate Principal / Senior Electrical Engineer (MEP) – San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)
Interface Engineering Inc.
Relocation assistance is offered with this opportunity.
At Interface Engineering, we believe your career should be as dynamic and rewarding as the projects you support. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we’re proud to offer our Collaboration from Home policy—giving you the flexibility of a hybrid schedule (2 days in-office per week minimum) while staying connected to a team that values innovation, inclusion, and impact.
Why Interface?
We’re not just engineers—we’re collaborators, mentors, and trailblazers in high-performance design. Our Pathway to Leadership program offers a transparent, personalized roadmap for career advancement, empowering you to grow in the direction that excites you most.
Our Culture
Interface has the company culture and work environment you have been seeking! You’ll find a workplace with a culture of fun, and superior work/life balance benefits, expansive personal development opportunities, cutting-edge technology, and great relationships. You’ll work alongside MEP industry leaders who will help you develop your own thriving career path. Our work takes us around the globe and on a steady growth curve. Our success and innovation are powered by people like you!
Our Core Values:
Our core values capture the essence of who we are. We live and breathe them, and they inform everything we do. We are:
  • Conscientious.
  • Empowered.
  • Respectful.
  • Resilient.
  • Transformative.
Key Responsibilities:
As an Associate Principal / Senior Electrical Engineer at Interface, you will be taking ownership as a discipline leader on multiple projects. Your duties will include, but may not be limited to:
  • Serve as permanent Team Leader for Multi-discipline engineers and designers.
  • Managing complex MEP projects across numerous industries: Commercial, Medical, Biotech, Education, Transportation, and more.
  • Innovative and complex electrical system design
  • Meeting and consulting with clients
  • Providing guidance to design staff
  • Supporting overall project management to our MEP team leaders.
What You'll Bring:
Required
  • BSEE
  • 10+ years' experience in MEP design/consulting
  • Team leadership/management experience
  • Project Management Experience in the MEP space
  • Healthcare building design and HCAI compliance experience
  • High-energy client services skills
  • Excellent communication ability
  • Complete understanding of building codes
  • Thorough design system knowledge
Preferred
  • A Professional Engineering License (or equivalent experience)
  • PMP Certification
  • LEED Accreditation
  • Experience with CAD and REVIT
What You'll Love:
  • Competitive Pay: $141,719 to $178,698 annual salary and conditional bonus
  • Employee Ownership: Build equity through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • Robust Benefits: 401(k), medical, dental, vision, life amp; disability insurance, transportation benefits...and more!
  • Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and company closure to clients from Christmas to New Year’s
  • Purpose-Driven Culture: Paid volunteer time and a commitment to social equity
  • Career Development: Work alongside industry leaders and access continuous learning opportunities
Ready to grow with us?
If you’re looking for a role where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your work makes a difference—apply today and become part of the Interface Engineering family.
Social Equity:
Interface is committed to social equity within our walls and in our communities. We are a diverse, inclusive, and responsible firm. Interface provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classifications. We support local business and seek to partner with small and minority-owned firms on our projects. Our staff is empowered to design community service programs (e.g., clean up beaches, serve meals at shelters, tutor school-aged children, etc.) – using paid volunteer time.
Please note: H1-B visa sponsorship or transfer is not approved for this position.
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