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Associate Principal Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Bayer

The Associate Principal Automation Engineer is responsible for defining & applying automation strategies for equipment and facilities within the Biotech-Product Supply network globally. Customers ...

Wood Rodgers

Principal Engineer

Roseville, CA

Wood Rodgers, a leading engineering consulting firm, is hiring a Principal Engineer to join our ... This is a Senior Associate, salary, exempt position. * Develop and maintain internal and external ...

Wood Rodgers

Principal Engineer

Sacramento, CA

Wood Rodgers, a leading engineering consulting firm, is hiring a Principal Engineer to join our ... This is a Senior Associate, salary, exempt position. * Develop and maintain internal and external ...

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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 Jul 20, 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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% 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.
Structural Engineer | Associate/Associate Principal

Structural Engineer | Associate/Associate Principal

Degenkolb Engineers

Los Angeles, CA • Hybrid

$153K - $188K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Company Background: Founded in 1940 and headquartered in San Francisco, Degenkolb Engineers has more than eight decades of commitment to innovation, client service, and life-long learning. We deliver customized structural solutions in a variety of practice areas such as healthcare, education, science and technology, forensics, construction engineering, and federal buildings. We address every project need—whether meeting stringent codes, staying on budget, adhering to tight schedules, or creating landmark structural systems. We’re hiring at the Associate / Associate Principal level in our LA and Orange locations.

If you are interested in joining our team and do not see your desired position on our "Job Openings" page, please send an email with a targeted cover letter expressing interest to: humanresources@degenkolb.com

Position Description: Lead the design and delivery of structural systems for new and existing buildings, from concept through construction. This role blends technical depth with project leadership, guiding teams and making key decisions to deliver high-quality, resilient solutions.

Ideal Candidate: A licensed structural engineer with strong seismic design experience and the judgment to lead complex projects with confidence. They’re a collaborative leader and thoughtful mentor who builds client trust and contributes to both project success and team growth.

Compensation and Benefits: The pay rate for this position generally ranges between $153,000 to $188,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to pay transparency laws. Actual pay rates will be based on various factors, including location, company geographic differentials, education level, and candidate qualifications. 

Benefits include health and life insurance, commuter benefits, paid parental leave, 401(k) with company Profit Sharing contribution, employee ownership in a privately held stock plan, financial support for professional activities, company holidays, and a generous paid time off program.

Culture: We offer a flexible hybrid work schedule and a fun office environment! Our firm is highly collaborative and filled with experts united by a passion for industry involvement, pride in company ownership, and respect for personal lives. You will benefit from focused professional development within a supportive and transparent team environment, as well as opportunities for committee participation and leadership, variety in work assignments, and a pay scale set at the 75th market percentile. To learn more about the company, please visit: https://degenkolb.com/culture/

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