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Principal Data Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Principal Data Engineer 114-005

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$129K - $177K/yr

Senior Principal DATA ENGINEER : The selected candidate will perform data engineering associated with synchronizing new and existing systems for DIA as part of the Five Eyes partner alliance. The ...

Senior Principal, Data Engineering

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$144K - $199K/yr

Mastercard Services Technology is seeking a Senior Principal Data Engineer to help drive our mission of unlocking the full potential of our data assets through innovation, automation, and engineering ...

Principal Data Analyst At Capital One, data is at the center of everything we do. When we launched ... Degree specialized in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics discipline * Scripting ...

Principal Data Analyst At Capital One, data is at the center of everything we do. When we launched ... Degree specialized in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics discipline * Scripting ...

Principal Data Analyst At Capital One, data is at the center of everything we do. When we launched ... Degree specialized in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics discipline * Scripting ...

Principal Data Analyst At Capital One, data is at the center of everything we do. When we launched ... Degree specialized in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics discipline * Scripting ...

Principal Data Analyst At Capital One, data is at the center of everything we do. When we launched ... Degree specialized in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics discipline * Scripting ...

Principal Data Analyst At Capital One, data is at the center of everything we do. When we launched ... Degree specialized in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics discipline * Scripting ...

Principal Data Analyst At Capital One, data is at the center of everything we do. When we launched ... Degree specialized in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics discipline * Scripting ...

Principal Data Analyst

Richmond, VA ยท On-site

$105K - $160K/yr

... Engineering, or a related quantitative field and 5 years of experience in performing data analytics ... Richmond, Virginia * $105,515 to $160,800 per year for Principal Data Analyst At this time, Capital ...

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Principal Data Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$73.4K

$146K

$210.7K

How much do principal data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal data engineer in Virginia is $145,957.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $171,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal data engineer?

A Principal Data Engineer is a senior-level technical role responsible for designing, building, and maintaining large-scale data infrastructure. They lead data engineering teams, establish best practices, and ensure efficient data pipelines to support analytics and machine learning. This role involves working with cloud platforms, big data technologies, and distributed systems to optimize data processing. Principal Data Engineers collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to drive data-driven decision-making. Their work is critical in enabling organizations to leverage data effectively for insights and innovation.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a principal data engineer?

As a Principal Data Engineer, your day-to-day responsibilities generally include designing and optimizing large-scale data pipelines, developing architectural strategies, and overseeing the implementation of robust data solutions. You'll collaborate closely with data scientists, analysts, and software engineers to ensure the organization's data infrastructure is efficient, scalable, and secure. You may also mentor junior team members, review code, and set data engineering best practices. This role frequently requires balancing hands-on technical work with strategic planning and stakeholder communication to align data initiatives with business goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal data engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Data Engineer, you need a deep understanding of data architecture, data modeling, ETL development, and distributed computing, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, Python, SQL, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), as well as certifications in relevant tools or data engineering, is highly valuable. Strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and effective cross-functional communication are essential soft skills for this role. These combined abilities enable Principal Data Engineers to design scalable data solutions, drive engineering best practices, and lead complex projects to successful completion.

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Data Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Principal Data Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Data Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Principal Data Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Data Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Data Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Principal Data Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,957 per year, or $70.2 per hour.

Senior Principal Data Engineer 114-005

Herndon, VA โ€ข On-site

IC-CAP LLC
Computer Systems Design Servicesย โ€ขย 11 - 50 employees

$129K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Senior Principal DATA ENGINEER:
The selected candidate will perform data engineering associated with synchronizing new and existing systems for DIA as part of the Five Eyes partner alliance. The candidate will have experience performing data engineering associated with database pipelines and schemas for a multimillion-dollar program that supports DoD and the IC.
Basic Qualifications:
  • A Bachelors degree with 9+ years of relevant experience OR a Masters degree with 7 years of relevant experience OR a PhD with 4 years of relevant experience; an additional 4 years of experience maybe considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
  • Advanced understanding of database schemas.
  • PostgreSQL, Python, Java or Scala.
  • Understanding the concepts of data lake, data warehousing including Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes and data modeling is essential. Familiarity with cloud-based storage and computing platforms such as Azure, and AWS.
  • Proficiency in version control systems such as Git and understanding the concepts of branching, merging, and tagging is essential.
  • Experience with integrating data from various sources such as web services, APIs and file systems
  • Knowledge of distributed computing technologies like Hive, Hadoop and Spark
  • Willingness to work 100% onsite in a secure environment; telework is not available for this position.
  • DoD Approved Clearance and Poly

Desired:
  • Experience implementing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
  • Experience with data release to foreign partners.
  • Experience with Elasticsearch.
  • Experience with Immuta.
  • Experience supporting the Five Eye community.