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Principal Automation Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

MSD

Principal Software Automation Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$116.60K - $177.80K/yr

This role is responsible for the design and programming of high-performance automation systems used in the assembly, inspection, and reagent dispensing of microplate test kits and microfluidic assay ...

Stantec

Senior Automation Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$126.40K - $189.60K/yr

Your Opportunity The Senior Automation Engineer for BAS/BMS/PLC systems, guides the technical ... principals in other disciplines. * Manage the complete design and scope of services for each ...

Workday

Principal Cybersecurity Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

About the Team We are seeking a highly skilled Principal cybersecurity engineer to architect the ... Data & Automation Engineering: Validated proficiency in data pipeline logic, ELT/ETL processes, and ...

Workday

Principal Cybersecurity Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

About the Team We are seeking a highly skilled Principal cybersecurity engineer to architect the ... Data & Automation Engineering: Validated proficiency in data pipeline logic, ELT/ETL processes, and ...

Workday

Principal Software Development Engineer

Reston, VA

$140.40K - $188.30K/yr

About the Role As a Principal engineer, you will serve as the primary visionary for how our risk ... Data & Automation Engineering: Verifiable proficiency in data pipeline logic, ELT/ETL processes ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$138.50K - $185.70K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Tysons, Virginia Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home ...

Wsgr

Principal Solutions Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

The Principal Solutions Engineer will lead the development of complex, integrated business ... Perform administrative tasks within Salesforce, including audits and automation flow development.

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Tysons Corner, VA · On-site

$135.90K - $182.20K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

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All JobsPrincipal Automation Engineer JobsPrincipal Automation Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Principal Automation Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$89K

$133.3K

$217.4K

How much do principal automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal automation engineer in Reston, VA is $133,324.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,300.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Automation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Automation Engineer, you need deep expertise in automation frameworks, scripting languages (such as Python or Java), and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, Jenkins, Docker, and CI/CD systems, as well as industry certifications in automation or DevOps, are typically required. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills set top candidates apart in guiding teams and collaborating across functions. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing scalable automation solutions, ensuring software reliability, and driving innovation in complex technical environments.

How does a Principal Automation Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during large-scale projects?

A Principal Automation Engineer often serves as a technical leader, working closely with software developers, QA engineers, project managers, and operations teams to design and implement robust automation frameworks. They facilitate regular meetings to align project goals, share automation best practices, and resolve technical roadblocks. Additionally, they mentor junior team members, ensuring consistent automation standards and driving continuous improvement across departments. This collaborative approach enables efficient delivery of scalable and reliable automation solutions.

What does a Principal Automation Engineer do?

A Principal Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing automated systems and processes within an organization. They lead automation projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure that automation solutions align with business goals. Additionally, they mentor junior engineers, establish best practices, and stay current with emerging automation technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity.

Will AI replace automation engineer?

AI is transforming automation engineering by enabling more advanced and efficient systems, but it is unlikely to fully replace automation engineers. Instead, automation engineers will need to develop skills in AI, machine learning, and programming to work alongside AI tools and manage complex automation projects.

What is the difference between Principal Automation Engineer vs Automation Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Automation EngineerAutomation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, certifications like ISTQB, automation tools expertiseBachelor's in Engineering or related field, automation tools knowledge
Work EnvironmentLead automation projects, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationDevelop and execute automation scripts, testing, and implementation
Industry UsageUsed in software, manufacturing, and engineering sectors for high-level automationCommon in software testing, manufacturing, and IT industries

The Principal Automation Engineer typically holds a senior, strategic role overseeing automation initiatives, while the Automation Engineer focuses on executing automation tasks. Both roles require similar technical skills, but the Principal position involves leadership and planning responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Automation Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? For Principal Automation Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Automation Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Automation Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
Principal Automation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Automation Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $133,324 per year, or $64.1 per hour.
Principal Software Automation Engineer

Principal Software Automation Engineer

MSD

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$116.60K - $177.80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:
This role is responsible for the design and programming of high-performance automation systems used in the assembly, inspection, and reagent dispensing of microplate test kits and microfluidic assay cartridges, and other emerging products. The position works closely with cross-functional teams-including R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance to support new product development and enhance current manufacturing capabilities through automation. Key responsibilities include configuring, validating, and troubleshooting automation hardware and software to ensure reliable system performance and scalability.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead the design and development of new software to control manufacturing and research and development equipment.
  • Oversee all maintenance and updates of existing software.
  • Ensure close collaboration with cross-functional teams to support the automation needs of new product development.
  • Configure, validate, and troubleshoot automation software and hardware.
  • Review, revise and edit requirement and technical documents including release notes and work instructions.
  • Participate in design and code review and milestone reviews.
  • Interact with outside vendors to source equipment and components.
  • Support R&D and other departments in new product development.
  • Support existing equipment and software.
  • Analyze current processes and equipment and create proposals for improvement to be presented to upper management.
  • Design and lead development of new solutions for improving manufacturing quality and capacity.
  • Manage project schedules and timelines.
  • Mentor other staff members on automation software development processes.
  • Perform any other engineering function as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering or other related science or engineering discipline is required.
  • A minimum of seven years of experience in automation equipment software design.
  • Prior experience with industrial robots, motors, controllers, and/or digital and analog sensors is required.
  • A minimum of seven years of programming experience using C# .Net or any OOP (Java, C++, etc.) in agile teams is required. Alternatively minimum seven years of experience with PLCs, programming with ladder logic, or structured text is required.
  • Experience with XML, SQL, industrial networking, communication protocols, GUI design and database management is required.
  • Experience with MATLAB and scripting languages is required.
  • Hardware/software integration experience is required.
  • Prior experience with machine vision and image processing is preferred.
  • Experience with automation platforms such as Tecan, Hamilton, etc. is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
  • Extensive knowledge of full lifecycle of software design, development and release.
  • Ability to lead, train, guide others to understand and accomplish tasks/duties/responsibilities.
  • Strong programming fundamentals and analytical background
  • Demonstrated propensity to be creative, collaborative, proactive, and self-motivated in the execution and completion of assigned accountabilities.
  • Attention to detail with a demonstrated commitment to excellence and performance improvement and the drive to deliver quality and value-added results and outcomes.
  • Logical problem solving and demonstrated ability to organize and manage projects in an orderly and structured fashion.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate issues/problems and results that impact timelines, accuracy and reliability of project data.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop, integrate and validate systems, in a GMP, ISO or other regulated production environment for pharmaceuticals, biotech or medical devices manufacturing is required.
  • Ability to work independently, as an effective team member, and with all levels of the company.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires the ability to communicate and exchange information, utilize equipment necessary to perform the job, and move about the office
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is typically performed in a traditional office environment or remotely as needed.
COMPENSATION SUMMARY
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $116,600 to $177,800. This salary range represents a general guideline as MSD considers other factors when presenting an offer of employment, such as scope and responsibilities of the position, external market factors, and the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, education and experience. Employees may qualify for a discretionary or non-discretionary bonus in addition to their base salary. These annual bonuses are intended to recognize individual performance and enable employees to benefit from the Company's overall success.
BENEFITS SUMMARY
At MSD, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and financial security. In addition to competitive salaries, our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with prescription benefits. We provide a 401(k) plan with company matching, flexible spending accounts, and company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance as well as group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Our offerings also encompass paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and paid parental leave, along with an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary perks include a fitness club membership contribution, pet insurance, identity theft protection, home and auto insurance discounts, and optional supplemental life insurance.
EEO STATEMENT
MSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, genetic information, marital status, national origin, age, protected veteran status, pregnancy, disability status, or any other protected characteristic. For our full EEO statement, please visit here. Meso Scale Diagnostics uses E-Verify to validate the work eligibility of candidates.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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