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Principal Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal Design Engineer

San Jose, CA Β· On-site

$176K - $298K/yr

The Principal Design Engineer in Micron's NVEG organization, you will be at the forefront of shaping the future of memory technology! In this role, you will lead the development, layout, and ...

Principal Design Engineer

San Jose, CA Β· On-site

$176K - $298K/yr

The Principal Design Engineer in Micron's NVEG organization, you will be at the forefront of shaping the future of memory technology! In this role, you will lead the development, layout, and ...

PositionPrincipal Design EngineerLocationUSA, Louisville, KY How You'll Create Possibilities GSP Principal Platform/Design Engineer - RAC, Ventilation Hood, and Garbage Disposer * Own the definition ...

Principal Engineer Principal Design Engineer - L & L INNOVATE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES! At Milwaukee Tool we firmly believe that our People and our Culture are the secrets to our success - so we give you ...

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Principal Design Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal design engineer?

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 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 does a principal design engineer do?

A principal design engineer leads the development and design of complex products or systems, providing technical expertise and strategic direction. They often oversee engineering teams, ensure design quality, and collaborate with cross-functional departments using tools like CAD software. This role typically requires extensive experience, strong problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of engineering principles.
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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 are popular job titles related to Principal Design Engineer jobs?

For Principal Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Principal Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Design Engineer

Austin, TX β€’ On-site

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Software DevelopmentΒ β€’Β 5 - 10K employees

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Cadence Design Systems rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
Design Verification expert with good subsystem and SOC level verification. Must possess excellent debug skills. Expert in developing SV UVM based testbenches. Ability to coach and mentor less experience teammates. Should have worked on time-bounded projects leading to Si realization.
Independently handle verification of complex modules or own significant piece in subsystem / SOC based verification. Define methodology for subsystem/SOC verification. Mentor less experienced engineers to bring them up as independent verification engineer. Follow systematic approach of metric driven verification with meticulous attention to quality and completeness. Should be able work closely across teams to meet delivery timelines.
Required experience
  • Worked on Subsystem / SOC level verification projects
  • Experience in ARM based designs.
  • In-depth knowledge SV-UVM
  • Expertise in architecting, design and development of scalable verification environments from scratch. Define verification architecture and verification strategy
  • Expertise in verification test plan development, test cases coding; Execute and debug test cases to achieve functional and code coverage goals
  • Experience in C based testcase development
  • Strong knowledge of AMBA protocols like AXI, ACE, APB, AHB.
  • Good knowledge of at least one of the USB/PCIE/Ethernet/DDR/LPDDR or similar protocols
  • Strong problem solving skills. Exhibit discipline, thoroughness and methodical approach in solving problems
  • Ability to work with stakeholders across cross-functional teams - Architecture, Design, Internal and External Customers
  • Experience in mentoring junior engineers
  • Self-driven and committed individual who can work in a fast paced project environment

Desirable skills and experience
  • Prior experience with Cadence tools and flows is highly desirable
  • Familiarity with ARM/CPU architectures is a plus
  • Experience in developing c-based test cases for SOC verification
  • Experience with assembly language programming
  • Good knowledge of some of the protocols like UART, I2C, SPI, JTAG
  • Embedded C code development and debug
  • Formal Verification experience
  • Cadence verification tool experience

Strong vocabulary, communication, organizational, planning, and presentation skills are essential. Ability to work independently and productively with high quality output and results in a fast paced and dynamic environment. A strong positive attitude and ability to work in a team is a must. Self-motivated and willing take up additional responsibilities to contribute to team's success.
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