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Principal Automation Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Role Summary The Principal Desktop Engineer is a hands‑on engineering leader responsible for both ... Drive Modernization & Automation: Champion initiatives such as Windows 11 upgrades, Intune and ...

Principal Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$136K - $183K/yr

Wells Fargo is seeking a Principal Software Engineer join the Infrastructure Automation and ... These advancements in Automation Engineering takes priority in changing the supportability and ...

Principal Application Software Engineer Position Overview Oracle Government Defense & Intelligence ... Our engineers build resilient services, automation, and integrations that support cloud operations ...

Principal Application Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$140K - $188K/yr

Principal Application Software Engineer Position Overview Oracle Government Defense & Intelligence ... Our engineers build resilient services, automation, and integrations that support cloud operations ...

Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 12, 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 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.

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 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal automation engineer?

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.
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:
Infographic showing various Principal Automation Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,324 per year, or $64.1 per hour.

Principal Cyber Security Engineer

MANTECH

Chantilly, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


ManTech rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 243 rated software companies


Job description

MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Principal Cyber Security Engineer to join our team in Chantilly, VA.

Principal Cyber Security engineers are responsible for the quality of cyber security related solution delivery, development, testing and deployment in support of cyber security efforts. They are involved in creating quality cyber solution components based on the provided requirements. The successful candidate must possess the ability to work in a team environment as well as independently.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Maintaining operations of identity and access management services including directory, access, identity, and privileged access management services.
  • Maintaining infrastructure in cloud or virtualized environments.
  • Performing Linux and Windows based system upgrades and patches.
  • Engineering and deployment of a privileged access management (PAM) solution.
  • Engineering and deployment of a Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) solution.
  • Managing Continuous Monitoring (CONMON) activities and maintaining Authority to Operate (ATO).
  • Providing status reports in an Agile environment and periodically providing after-hour support.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or 4+ years of additional IT experience in lieu of degree.
  • 7+ years of working experience in the IT field.
  • Experience working in LINUX and Windows environments.
  • Knowledge of LDAP directory and managing databases.
  • Ability to create scripts to assist with automation efforts.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with PAM tools implementation and maintenance.
  • Experience with authorization and authentication technologies and Identity and Access Management principals.
  • Experience with Ansible, writing automation playbooks, and working in a Dev/Ops environment.
  • Experience with PKI principals and working in an Agile environment.

Clearance Requirements:

  • Must have a current/active TS/SCI w/Polygraph.

Physical Requirements:

  • The person in this position must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
  • Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, or to communicate with co-workers, management, and customers, via email, phone, and or virtual communication, which may involve delivering presentations.

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