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Principal Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AtkinsRéalis

Principal Design Engineer

Orlando, FL · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Overview AtkinsRéalis is looking for a highly skilled and motivated Principal Design Engineer within the Orlando, Florida area to oversee and manage complex transportation design projects with the ...

Celestica

Principal, Design Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

Austin Summary The Principal, Design Engineer researches and develops robust electrical systems and circuits, from initial concept and schematic capture through to system specification and ...

Micron

Principal Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$176K - $298K/yr

The Principal Design Engineer in Micron's NVEG organization contributes to the development of new memory products by assisting with the overall design, layout, and optimization of datapath circuits ...

Micron Technology

Principal Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$176K - $298K/yr

The Principal Design Engineer in Micron's NVEG organization contributes to the development of new memory products by assisting with the overall design, layout, and optimization of datapath circuits ...

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All JobsPrincipal Design Engineer Jobs

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 20, 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.
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Principal Design Engineer jobs near you
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 Design Engineer

Principal Design Engineer

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Cary, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
We are a small group of individuals designing among the most complex chip in the world getting into the award-winning Cadence Design Systems Palladium platform...
As such we are seeking an experienced DFT engineer which role will span across the full spectrum of the DFT implementation: from architecture definition through silicon testing and debug.
A bonus, this individual will have cross functional teams' interactions not only within our group; but across Cadence and the multiple BU involved in our developments.
Key responsibilities:
  • Define and implement SoC level DFT architecture for large and complex designs.
  • Develop, integrate, and support SCAN, ATPG, MBIST, BSCAN and iJTAG.
  • Perform DFT insertion, verification, and coverage analysis at block and SoC levels.
  • Drive pre-silicon DFT sign-off, including DRC closure and coverage targets.
  • Support post-silicon debug, failure analysis and yield learning.
  • Collaborate with RTL, verification, physical design and operation teams.

Qualifications:
  • BS with a minimum of 7 years of experience OR MS with a minimum of 5 years of experience OR PhD with a minimum of 1 year of experience
  • At least 3 years of hands-on experience in SoC DFT.

Must-have skills:
  • Strong expertise in SCAN, ATPG, MBIST.
  • Experience with pre-silicon validation and post-silicon debug.
  • Strong problem solving and debugging skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional engineering environment.

Good-to-have skills:
  • Scripting experience (TCL, Perl, Python or equivalent) for flow automation and analysis.
  • Experience with IP-level DFT integration and reuse.
  • Exposure to low-power DFT considerations and complex clocking architectures.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing test flows and silicon yield improvement.
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