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Principal Development Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal Software Development Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$151K - $203K/yr

The Principal Software Development Engineer will lead data-centric software engineering efforts, ensuring data correctness and operability while designing and implementing AI frameworks across ...

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Principal Development Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal development 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 is the difference between Principal Development Engineer vs Senior Software Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Development EngineerSenior Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, extensive experience, possibly certifications in specific technologiesBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science or related field, several years of experience
Work EnvironmentLead technical projects, influence architecture, collaborate across teamsDevelop software, implement features, troubleshoot issues
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, manufacturing, R&D departmentsSoftware development firms, tech startups, IT departments
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior technical roles, career progressionTechnical expertise, hands-on development focus

The Principal Development Engineer typically holds a higher level of responsibility, focusing on leading projects and strategic technical decisions, whereas a Senior Software Engineer primarily concentrates on coding and implementing solutions. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the Principal role involves broader influence and leadership within the organization.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Principal Development Engineers in certain industries, such as technology or aerospace, can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation at this level often includes base salary, bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing.

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

To thrive as a Principal Development Engineer, you need extensive experience in software or hardware development, advanced problem-solving abilities, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or a related field. Mastery of relevant programming languages, development frameworks, and project management tools, as well as certifications like PMP or Agile, is highly valuable. Leadership, collaboration, and strong communication skills are essential for guiding teams and managing complex projects. These competencies are crucial for driving technical innovation, ensuring project success, and fostering a high-performing engineering environment.

How does a Principal Development Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during product development?

As a Principal Development Engineer, you'll frequently work with cross-functional teams including product managers, designers, QA engineers, and operations staff. Your role involves translating product requirements into technical solutions, providing technical leadership, and ensuring alignment across departments. Effective communication and the ability to balance technical constraints with business priorities are key. You'll also mentor junior engineers and help set coding standards to maintain high-quality deliverables throughout the development lifecycle.

What is a principal development engineer?

A principal development engineer is a senior technical role responsible for leading complex engineering projects, designing solutions, and guiding development teams. They typically possess advanced technical skills, extensive experience, and often contribute to strategic planning, code reviews, and mentoring. This role may require expertise in specific tools, programming languages, and industry standards.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Principal Development Engineers and senior software engineers in specialized fields such as machine learning, cloud infrastructure, or cybersecurity often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. Compensation can vary based on industry, location, and company size, with some roles also including bonuses and stock options.

What are Principal Development Engineers?

Principal Development Engineers are senior-level professionals who lead technical development efforts within engineering teams. They are responsible for designing and overseeing the implementation of complex systems or products, providing technical guidance to other engineers, and ensuring that engineering best practices are followed. In addition to their technical expertise, they often collaborate with stakeholders, manage project timelines, and help set the technical direction for their organization. Their role is critical in bridging the gap between engineering execution and strategic business goals.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal Development Engineers and senior software engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership responsibilities can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation often reflects expertise in areas like cloud computing, AI, or large-scale system design, along with advanced certifications and a strong track record of project delivery.
More about Principal Development Engineer jobs
What states have the most Principal Development Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Development Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Principal Development Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Development Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Principal Development Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Principal Product Development Engineer

Principal Product Development Engineer

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Nvidia rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 209 rated software companies


Job description

NVIDIA seeks a Principal Sr. Product Development Engineer with transformative leadership skills to serve as the technical anchor for the Mixed-Signal Product Development team in our central Product Development Engineering Organization. In this key leadership position, you will build the technical roadmap and processes that enable next-generation, deep-submicron CMOS mixed-signal technologies to progress from design validation into manufacturing ramp and mass production.

You will serve as the main technical link between System Level Testing, test engineering, reliability, and manufacturing teams. Your role includes driving yield architecture, test optimization plans, and product performance validation for innovative mixed-signal solutions used in AI, networking, and high-performance computing systems. The ideal candidate has deep technical expertise in advanced CMOS nodes and high-speed mixed-signal systems. They also have a strong history of guiding complex product development lifecycles in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing.

What You'll Be Doing
  • Cross-functional leader to bridge design requirements to manufacturing solutions
  • Drive the end-to-end technical product development strategy from early silicon validation through qualification and high-volume manufacturing.
  • Define, develop, and implement advanced validation methodologies and innovative test strategies for deep-submicron analog and mixed-signal silicon builds.
  • Work in close partnership with Analog/Digital Development, System Level Testing, groups dedicated to product validation, durability, and production.
  • Influence strategies for design-for-test (DFT), design-for-manufacturability (DFM), and built-in self-test (BIST). Maintain consistent alignment from architectural codesign through to mass production.
  • Coordinate and architect complex parametric, electrical, and mixed-signal characterization frameworks for high-speed interfaces, power management units, and clocking circuits.
  • Lead deep-dive root-cause analysis and resolve highly complex technical anomalies related to silicon performance, Vmin/Fmax charting, yield excursions, and product reliability.
  • Architect yield improvement initiatives, test time reduction strategies, and manufacturing efficiency improvements across wafer-sort and final packaged test flows.
  • Provide structured, data-driven feedback to analyze silicon performance, design margins, process corners, and parametric sensitivities to improve future architectures.
  • Establish scalable data analysis frameworks, automated data pipelines, and statistical methodologies for high-volume validation and production monitoring.
What We Need to See
  • Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • More than 12 years of background in semiconductor product development, validation, or manufacturing engineering.
  • 12+ years of experience serving as a technical lead, principal engineer, or guiding cross-functional technical teams through product lifecycles.
  • Extensive technical knowledge of advanced CMOS process technologies, analog/mixed-signal circuit behavior, and digital logic interaction
  • Proven experience in yield analysis, product characterization, and applying statistical data analysis tools (e.g., JMP, Spotfire) for engineering insights and data-driven yield improvements.
  • Automation: High proficiency in automation and scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for validation, data analysis, and test infrastructure.
  • Proven capability to overcome significant cross-functional obstacles and lead problem-solving within tight delivery timelines.
Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd
  • Extensive technical knowledge in foundry device physics and working closely with foundries to identify and address process anomalies and guide fab engineering teams to overcome major yield challenges
  • Deep expertise in defining ATE flows, structural and functional test pattern conversion, and handling high-power FinFET or gate-all-around (GAA) silicon.
  • Background in multi-chip modules (MCM), 2.5D/3D packaging integration, or CoWoS technologies.
  • Proven success leading silicon product ramps from low-yielding prototype phases to stable, high-volume manufacturing scale.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 240,000 USD - 379,500 USD.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until June 28, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993