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Principal Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal Design Engineer - Civil & Structural Reporting to: Principal Design Engineer/Head of design. Role purpose The Principal Design Engineer will: • Be responsible for managing and leading ...

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Principal Design Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal design engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Principal Design Engineer do?

A Principal Design Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for leading the design and development of complex engineering projects. They oversee the entire design process, from concept to completion, ensuring that technical standards, project requirements, and safety regulations are met. Principal Design Engineers often mentor junior engineers, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and provide technical guidance on challenging problems. They play a crucial role in strategic planning, innovation, and maintaining the quality and integrity of engineering solutions.

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

To thrive as a Principal Design Engineer, you need deep expertise in engineering principles, advanced design methodologies, and a relevant degree such as a BS or MS in engineering. Proficiency with CAD software, simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards or certifications like PE (Professional Engineer) are typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating across departments. These skills and qualifications are vital for delivering innovative, high-quality designs and driving project success in complex engineering environments.

How does a Principal Design Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project lifecycle?

A Principal Design Engineer plays a pivotal role in bridging communication between engineering, product management, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams. Throughout a project, they lead technical discussions, facilitate design reviews, and ensure design intent aligns with overall project goals. Their expertise is often called upon to resolve complex technical challenges and mentor junior engineers, ensuring that cross-functional efforts remain cohesive and efficient. This collaborative approach helps streamline project timelines and results in robust, manufacturable designs.

What engineers make $500,000?

Principal Design Engineers, especially in high-demand industries like technology, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing, can earn $500,000 or more annually with experience, bonuses, and stock options. Senior engineers with specialized skills in areas such as hardware design, systems architecture, or product development are more likely to reach this compensation level.

What is the difference between Principal Design Engineer vs Senior Design Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Design EngineerSenior Design Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, several years of experience
Work EnvironmentLeads design projects, mentors teams, collaborates with stakeholdersDevelops designs, supports project execution, collaborates with teams
Industry UsageUsed across engineering sectors for senior technical leadershipCommonly used for experienced engineers executing design tasks

The Principal Design Engineer typically holds a higher level of responsibility, providing technical leadership and strategic input, while the Senior Design Engineer focuses on executing design tasks and supporting project development. Both roles require strong engineering credentials, but the Principal role emphasizes leadership and innovation.

What is the role of a principal design engineer?

A principal design engineer leads the development and design of complex products or systems, providing technical expertise and strategic direction. They often oversee project teams, ensure design quality, and collaborate with cross-functional departments using CAD tools and engineering standards.

Is EEe a high paying job?

Principal Design Engineers typically earn high salaries due to their advanced technical skills, experience, and leadership responsibilities in engineering projects. Compensation varies by industry, location, and company size, but it generally exceeds average engineering salaries and may include bonuses and stock options.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal Design Engineers, especially in high-demand industries like aerospace, software, or semiconductor manufacturing, can earn $300,000 or more annually with extensive experience, advanced skills, and often leadership responsibilities. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise, with senior roles frequently including bonuses and stock options.
More about Principal Design Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Design Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Design Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Principal Design Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Principal Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Design Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Principal/ Sr. Principal Engineering Design

Principal/ Sr. Principal Engineering Design

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 339 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

109th of 518 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE TYPE: SAP
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time
Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered by providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
Northrop Grumman offers challenging career opportunities in Hardware Engineering within the Mission Systems Sector that play a key role in the mission to protect our military personnel. The Hardware Engineering organization is dedicated to consistently providing high quality product designs in support of multiple product areas. The Design Data and Product Integrity Engineering (DDPIE) organization provides engineering support services for all programs at the Rolling Meadows campus including CCA Design Layout Technology, Configuration Management, Data Management, Drafting, Standards and Components, Product Follow, and Product Integrity Engineering. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking an experienced Principal Design Engineer/Sr. Principal Design Engineer to join its Design Layout Technology team.
The Principal Design/Sr. Principal Design Engineer plans, lays out, draws and revises parts, assemblies and fabrication engineering drawings from basic layouts, establishing references and standard data for PWB design artifacts. Utilizes computer-aided design graphic tools such as Cadence Allegro. Completes details of major layout drawings in accordance with standard engineering drafting practices, military specifications, as well as industry standards.
Primary Functions:
- Layout of PWBs/PCBs, flex circuits, interconnect routing, and drawing generation
-Calculates layer stack-up based on industry standards, supplier capabilities, and engineering requirements
-Creates and documents the required electronic data file outputs for fabrication and manufacturing
-Responsible to interface with electrical and mechanical engineers to work through component placement, routing, mechanical fitment for rigid, flex, and rigid-flex assemblies
-Understands technical theories of electrical and mechanical behavior of PWBs/PCBs to influence layout decisions (i.e. impedance matching, differential pairs, strains and stresses, orientation of components, etc.)
-Incorporates PWB/PCB change notices.
-Checks designs and drawings for manufacturability.
-Excellent interpersonal skills. Be able to coordinate and lead design reviews with engineering, quality and manufacturing personnel.
This position is On-site and full-time at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location
This position is contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.
This position can be filled at the Principal Design Engineer or Sr. Principal Design Engineer level based on the requirements below
Basic Qualifications for Principal Design Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM field with 5+ years of directly related professional working experience or Master's degree in STEM field with 3+ years of directly related professional working experience or 9 years of directly related professional working experience in lieu of degree.
- Drafting and design experience in PCB design for fabrication and PWB layer stack up for digital, RF, mixed signal, and power supply CCAs
- Experience with Cadence Allegro or similar CAD tool
- Knowledge of industry specifications and design for manufacturing (DFM) rules for CCA and PWB design, fabrication and manufacturing
- Must be able to read drawings and schematic diagrams
- US Citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret security clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Design Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM field with 8+ years of directly related professional working experience or Master's degree in STEM field with 6+years of directly related professional working experience or 12 years of directly related professional working experience in lieu of degree.
- Drafting and design experience in PCB design for fabrication and PWB layer stack up for digital, RF, mixed signal, and power supply CCAs
- Experience with Cadence Allegro or similar CAD tool
- Knowledge of industry specifications and design for manufacturing (DFM) rules for CCA and PWB design, fabrication and manufacturing
- Must be able to read drawings and schematic diagrams
- US Citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret security clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in STEM field
- Experience in PCB fabrication, testing, and quality
- Good self-organization, and communication skills
Primary Level Salary Range: $95,800.00 - $143,600.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $119,200.00 - $178,800.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939