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Principal Electrical Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

nVent

Electrical Engineer

Madison, WI · Hybrid

As an Electrical Engineer, you will support electrical build, integration, and testing for customer ... Our principal office is in London and our management office in the United States is in Minneapolis.

nVent

Electrical Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

As an Electrical Engineer, you will support electrical build, integration, and testing for customer ... Our principal office is in London and our management office in the United States is in Minneapolis.

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All JobsPrincipal Electrical Engineer JobsPrincipal Electrical Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin

Principal Electrical Engineer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$99.4K

$156.3K

$206.9K

How much do principal electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal electrical engineer in Wisconsin is $156,271.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $140,300.00 and $171,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a principal electrical engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during large-scale projects?

As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will frequently work with multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, civil, and software engineers, as well as project managers and clients. Your role often involves leading technical discussions, providing guidance on electrical design solutions, and ensuring that electrical systems integrate seamlessly with other engineering disciplines. Effective communication and coordination are key, as you may also mentor junior engineers and facilitate design reviews to align project goals. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and ensures that complex projects are delivered efficiently and safely.

What does a principal electrical engineer do?

A principal electrical engineer leads the design, development, and testing of electrical systems and components, often overseeing projects and providing technical guidance. They typically have advanced knowledge of circuit design, power systems, and industry standards, and may hold certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE). Their role involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and ensuring compliance with safety and quality regulations.

How much does a principal electrical engineer earn?

A principal electrical engineer typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior-level roles often require advanced skills in circuit design, project management, and relevant certifications such as PE (Professional Engineer).

What is a principal electrical engineer?

A principal electrical engineer serves as a project manager for electrical-related building or construction projects. In this role, your job duties may include designing electrical devices, ensuring proper installation, inspecting completed electrical work, and providing work estimates. You may also supervise a staff of junior engineers, overseeing their work, and ensure that the project is completed within the allotted timeframe and budget. Principal electrical engineers are often the liaison between the engineering team and upper management. You must create reports and communicate regular updates on the status of each project to ensure each stage is meeting deadline expectations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal electrical engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Electrical Engineer, you need advanced expertise in electrical engineering principles, project management, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Mastery of design software (such as AutoCAD and MATLAB), familiarity with industry standards (like IEEE), and experience with simulation and analysis tools are essential. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills enable effective team management and cross-functional collaboration. These skills ensure successful project delivery, innovation, and compliance with regulatory and safety standards in complex engineering environments.

What is the difference between Principal Electrical Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Electrical EngineerElectrical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; often advanced certifications or extensive experienceBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; entry to mid-level certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, oversee projects, lead teams in industries like manufacturing, power, or electronicsDesign, develop, test electrical systems, often under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, consulting firms, and project leadership rolesCommon in engineering firms, manufacturing, and construction projects

The Principal Electrical Engineer typically holds more experience, leadership responsibilities, and advanced certifications compared to an Electrical Engineer. They focus on project oversight, strategic planning, and team leadership, while Electrical Engineers are more involved in technical design and development tasks.

More about Principal Electrical Engineer jobs
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What job categories do people searching Principal Electrical Engineer jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Electrical Engineer jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Electrical Engineer jobs in WI? For Principal Electrical Engineer jobs in WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Principal Electrical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Electrical Engineer job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $156,271 per year, or $75.1 per hour.

Principal Electrical Engineer

Leonardo DRS

Menomonee Falls, WI • Hybrid

$139K - $170K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Leonardo DRS rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

113th of 536 rated manufacturers

Job description

Job ID: 114956 

The Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business is a trusted provider of innovative naval gas and hybrid power systems, control technology and support solutions for the U.S. Navy and navies around the world.

Job Summary

Join our Menomonee Falls, WI team as a Principal Electrical Engineer.

Job Responsibilities
  • Lead the design, development, modification and analysis of various electronics systems including Hardware, Power Engineering, Power Electronic Engineering, Electromagnetic Engineering, Integrated Circuit Engineering, Components or others.
  • Troubleshoot and diagnose malfunctions in existing products or systems and makes modifications.
  • Compile and evaluate design and test data.
  • Analyze, develop and recommend design approaches.
  • Responsible for technical activity and completion of assigned task on time and budget.
  • Report of progress and status regularly.
  • Review customer specifications and requirements, and under direction, develop designs to best support them, including cost as a key design variable.
  • Provide budget, cost and schedule input for design assignments.
  • Specify and evaluate supplier components, subsystems and services.
  • Support the program design to cost and design for manufacture requirements.
  • Develop prototypes to retire key development risks.
  • Provide coaching and mentorship to other engineers.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field or equivalent experience and a minimum of 8 years of experience
  • Competent technical expertise and application domain knowledge
  • Ability to work independently
     

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours. 

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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