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Principal Data Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

We are hiring a Principal Software/Data Engineer to work in Laurel, MD. Position location is subject to change based on central MD client's needs. Required: TS/SCI with a Polygraph As a Principal ...

Data Engineer - SME

Chantilly, VA · Hybrid

$185K - $240K/yr

As the principal technical authority, you will set the enterprise data architecture strategy ... Experience: 15+ years of data engineering experience. SME Technical Competencies: * Data Processing ...

Data Engineer - SME

Chantilly, VA · Hybrid

$185K - $240K/yr

As the principal technical authority, you will set the enterprise data architecture strategy ... Experience: 15+ years of data engineering experience. SME Technical Competencies: * Data Processing ...

Data Engineer - SME

Herndon, VA · On-site

$185K - $240K/yr

As the principal technical authority, you will set the enterprise data architecture strategy ... Experience: 15+ years of data engineering experience. SME Technical Competencies: * Data Processing ...

Principal Software/Data Engineer

Laurel, MD · On-site

$134K - $180K/yr

They are seeking a Principal Software/Data Engineer to develop, maintain, and enhance software systems, ensuring adherence to design requirements and documenting test results. Responsibilities : • ...

Principal Data Lead

Fairfax, VA · On-site +1

$160K - $200K/yr

Bixal is seeking a Principal Data Lead to help lead the strategy, governance, and quality of data ... Partner with engineering, product, and AI/platform teams to ensure metadata and data quality are ...

Data Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Data Engineer (2+ years - Senior Level) Locations: Arlington / Pentagon, VA, Reston, VA and areas ... These solutions are built to empower 19 key Principal Staff members (Senior Executive Service ...

Principal Data Lead

Fairfax, VA · On-site +1

$160K - $200K/yr

Bixal is seeking a Principal Data Lead to help lead the strategy, governance, and quality of data ... Partner with engineering, product, and AI/platform teams to ensure metadata and data quality are ...

Showing results 41-60

Principal Data Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$83.8K

$166.7K

$240.7K

How much do principal data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal data engineer in Washington is $166,741.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,200.00 and $195,900.00 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 Washington?

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

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

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

What cities in Washington are hiring for Principal Data Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Principal Data Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Principal Data Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $166,741 per year, or $80.2 per hour.

Principal Software/Data Engineer

Themisinsight

Laurel, MD • On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Themis Insight solves difficult business, IT, and analytic problems by addressing the whole problem – not just the symptoms – using interdisciplinary approaches that are both practical and innovative. We provide fresh alternatives to ordinary, mainstream consulting firms through small, highly skilled, and hand‑picked teams that can meet clients' needs in any industry. Our broad interdisciplinary understanding allows us to provide the right solution, even if it is from outside the industry or traditionally defined problem space. We bring Public and Private, Civilian and Military expertise to every case.

We are hiring a Principal Software/Data Engineer to work in Laurel, MD. Position location is subject to change based on central MD client's needs.

Required: TS/SCI with a Polygraph

As a Principal Software/Data Engineer on our team, you will develop, maintain, and enhance complex and diverse software systems based upon documented requirements; review and test software components for adherence to the design requirements; and document test results. You will also utilize software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the environment. You will provide specific input to the software components of system design to include the use of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) / Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) in place of new development. You will also develop software solutions by analyzing system performance standards, confer with users or system engineers; analyze usage and work processes; and investigate problem areas.

Individual Capabilities/Experience Required
  • Nineteen (19) years of demonstrated experience in Software Engineering with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or appropriate field from an accredited college or university OR Twenty (20) years of experience in Software Engineering with a High School Diploma or GED OR Eighteen (17) years of experience in Software Engineering with a Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or appropriate field from an accredited college or university OR Fourteen (14) years of experience in Software Engineering with a PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or appropriate field from an accredited college or university.
  • Position requires TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
  • Experience designing, deploying and managing cloud infrastructure using Open Stack and other comparable platforms
  • Strong Linux and Python background
  • Understanding of IT management and operations
Individual Capabilities/Experience Desired
  • Excellent oral, written, organizational and communications skills
  • Broad experience in system engineering disciplines.
  • Software development
  • Develop Operations
  • Experience using network automation tools
  • Cloud security and operations familiarity
  • PowerShell familiarity
  • Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect a plus
Benefits

You are our most valuable resource — your ambition, your knowledge, your creativity. We offer an industry-leading set of benefits to supplement your normal salary compensation. Themis Insight has you covered with flexible ways to balance work and home life, full health benefit premium coverage, and generous contributions toward your retirement.

  • Competitive health, dental, and vision plans with 100% paid premiums.
  • 401k: We contribute 6% even if you don't!
  • Time Off: 11 standard holidays, and 25 days of PTO
  • Career Development: Get career counseling and individualized career development plans, including education and training.
  • Employee referral bonuses for successful hires

Themis Insight is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Themis Insight provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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