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Principal Electrical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal Electrical Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$134K - $165K/yr

The Principal Electrical Engineer will lead full lifecycle hardware development-from concept through manufacturing transfer-while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · Hybrid

$134K - $165K/yr

The Principal Electrical Engineer will lead full lifecycle hardware development-from concept through manufacturing transfer-while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality ...

Principal Electrical Engineer Location: Melbourne, FL Zip Code: 32901 Duration: 7 Months Pay Rate: $70 - $74.8/hr. Keyword's: #Melbournejobs; #ElectricalEngineerjobs ; Start Date: Immediate We ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA

$149K - $182K/yr

Principal Electrical Engineer Irvine, CA (Onsite) Position Summary Thales is looking for a Principal Electrical Engineer to serve as the recognized technical authority for the hardware design ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$148K - $181K/yr

Principal Electrical Engineer Irvine, CA (Onsite) Position Summary Thales is looking for a Principal Electrical Engineer to serve as the recognized technical authority for the hardware design ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Concord, NH · On-site

$139K - $171K/yr

Principal Electrical Engineer Requisition ID: 1772 Position Location: Fairfax, VA / Concord, NH Position Reports To: Senior Manager, Electrical Engineering Supervises Others: No At Trident Systems ...

Principal Electrical Engineer - CRDN

Moundsview, MN · On-site

$147K - $180K/yr

The Principal Electrical Engineer will apply knowledge of electrical engineering and experience in working on complex multidisciplinary problems and will provide leadership of projects from early ...

Principal Electrical Engineer - CRDN

Moundsview, MN · On-site

$147K - $180K/yr

The Principal Electrical Engineer will apply knowledge of electrical engineering and experience in working on complex multidisciplinary problems and will provide leadership of projects from early ...

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Principal Electrical Engineer information

See salary details

$98.5K

$154.8K

$205K

How much do principal electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal electrical engineer in the United States is $154,823.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $139,000.00 and $170,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Principal Electrical Engineers?

Principal Electrical Engineers are senior-level professionals who lead the design, development, and implementation of electrical systems and projects. They are responsible for overseeing teams of engineers, ensuring technical excellence, and providing strategic direction on complex engineering tasks. Their work often includes managing project schedules, budgets, and client communications, as well as mentoring junior engineers and ensuring compliance with industry standards and safety regulations.

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 engineers make $500,000?

Principal Electrical Engineers in specialized industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, or high-level consulting can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing, reflecting the seniority and complexity of the role.

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 guiding engineering teams. They typically possess advanced technical expertise, use tools like CAD software, and may hold certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE). Their role involves ensuring electrical systems meet safety, quality, and performance standards in various industries.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal Electrical Engineers and other senior engineering roles in specialized fields such as aerospace, software, or petroleum engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, managing large projects, or holding executive-level positions.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Principal electrical engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles in high-demand industries can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. Such compensation is typically associated with senior positions in large corporations, specialized fields like power systems or aerospace, or those with significant managerial responsibilities.

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.

What cities are hiring for Principal Electrical Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Electrical Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Electrical Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Principal Electrical Engineer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Principal Electrical Engineer jobs? The top employers for Principal Electrical Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Principal Electrical Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Electrical Engineer jobs include:
Principal Electrical Engineer

Principal Electrical Engineer

Butler Aerospace and Defense

Melbourne, FL • On-site

$70 - $83/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Principal Electrical Engineer Location: Melbourne, FL Job ID: #72575 Duration: 6-12 months contract Pay Range: $70-83 - W2 hourly Job Summary Looking for a motivated individual to be a Principal Electrical Engineer to work with multidisciplinary teams developing complex engineering solutions. The Avionics Test Engineering organization is a global engineering organization responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the manufacturing test solutions in support of the $5B Avionics strategic business unit as well as external customers including armed services and airlines both domestic and international. As a key member of the Avionics Test Engineering team, the Principal Electrical Engineer will primarily support internal customers such as Factory.

Here you will be given hardware and/or software tasks developing product tests for a variety of Aerospace products. If you don't want to be limited to only hardware or software engineering this position is for you, as knowledge of both are essential to this position. The primary responsibility for this position is to support manufacturing and service test solutions for Aerospace products.

The engineer who fills this position will develop strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. This position will heavily utilize hardware and software development and debug skills on multi-rack test stations used to test Aerospace products. These test stations may include but are not limited by the following test equipment: Digital multi-meters, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, power supplies and electronic loads.

This position will also support thermal and vibration test equipment and software suites for environmental stress and screening requirements of Aerospace products. The ideal candidate will have an unwavering positive attitude, be highly responsive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, and strive to perform high-quality work proactively and efficiently. This person will consistently demonstrate professionalism in their interactions with all levels of the organization and will routinely go above and beyond expectations in performing their work.

This is a multi-faceted role requiring versatility across a variety of tasks in a highly collaborative environment. The role requires working closely with engineers and leaders, at various locations around the globe, to ensure project success. They will use independent judgment to make decisions in day-to-day job responsibilities the majority of the time under general supervision.

Organizationally, the role reports to an Engineering Manager in the Avionics Test Engineering organization. Job Responsibilities * Troubleshoot HW & SW solutions * Work closely with other engineering disciplines (e.g., mechanical and systems engineering) to ensure the electrical design is appropriate for the project/product design approach * Ability to reverse engineer existing equipment (e.g., documenting something that is already built) * Support automated test software development * Review, and verify automated test procedures that will drive software changes required to support operations * Present project / technical status to peers, internal management and customers * Demonstrate excellent time management skills - ability to multitask and delegate work to support technicians, engineering project assistants, and peers * Demonstrate knowledge of hardware processes, tools, methods, work flow, and best practices Basic Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline * U.S. Person (U.S.

citizen, permanent resident, or granted refugee or asylee status) as defined here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62 /> Desired Skills * Have good communication, documentation, and collaboration/teamwork skills * Software development experience/proficiency - LabView and/or C# is a plus * Must be able to read electronic schematics * Must have experience working on RF (Radio Frequency) devices * Have domain knowledge of avionics products * Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving Skills??????? Benefits provided: 401K, medical, dental, and vision, sick time as applicable to state law. Butler America Aerospace, LLC.

is an equal opportunity employer. Butler evaluates applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The Butler America Aerospace, LLC.

EEO Policy Statement and "Know Your Rights" Poster is available here: Applicant and Employee Notices . Butler America Aerospace, LLC. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at #ZR