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Principal Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bradley & Associates

Principal Engineer

Dallas, TX

$150K - $175K/yr

Growing Civil Engineering firm is expanding in Dallas and looking for a Principal Engineer to provide office leadership, project oversight, and management, involving planning and directing the work ...

Veem

Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

Principal Engineer Location: Toronto (preferred), Ottawa, California About Veem Veem is building the future of global payments infrastructure. We are transforming how businesses move money ...

Outcode Software

Principal Engineer

Draper, UT

The Principal Engineer at Outcode Software plays a critical leadership role in shaping and maintaining the technical direction across all engineering teams. This position requires a Deep expertise in ...

City of Eastvale

Principal Engineer

Mira Loma, CA

$154K - $193K/yr

Job Summary PRINCIPAL ENGINEER (PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT) SALARY RANGE $154,629.57 - $193,111.15 Annually $12,885.80 - $16,092.60 Monthly $74.34 - $92.84 Hourly BENEFITS - 4-Day Work Week ...

City of Santa Clara

Principal Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$207K - $268K/yr

Description The City of Santa Clara's Public Works Department is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the Land and Property Development Division. This position will also manage the Department's role ...

KEITH

Principal Engineer

Miami, FL · On-site

Principal Engineer - Land Development and Water Resources About KEITH: We are a multidisciplined consulting firm offering civil engineering, land surveying, transportation engineering, planning ...

City of Eastvale, CA

Principal Engineer

Eastvale, CA · On-site

$154K - $193K/yr

Continuous Job Summary PRINCIPAL ENGINEER (PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT) SALARY RANGE $154,629.57 - $193,111.15 Annually $12,885.80 - $16,092.60 Monthly $74.34 - $92.84 Hourly BENEFITS - 4-Day ...

KEITH

Principal Engineer

Miami, FL · On-site

Principal Engineer - Land Development and Water Resources About KEITH: We are a multidisciplined consulting firm offering civil engineering, land surveying, transportation engineering, planning ...

KEITH

Principal Engineer

West Palm Beach, FL · On-site

Principal Engineer - Land Development and Water Resources About KEITH: We are a multidisciplined consulting firm offering civil engineering, land surveying, transportation engineering, planning ...

KEITH

Principal Engineer

Pompano Beach, FL · On-site

Principal Engineer - Land Development and Water Resources About KEITH: We are a multidisciplined consulting firm offering civil engineering, land surveying, transportation engineering, planning ...

KEITH

Principal Engineer

West Palm Beach, FL · On-site

Principal Engineer - Land Development and Water Resources About KEITH: We are a multidisciplined consulting firm offering civil engineering, land surveying, transportation engineering, planning ...

KEITH

Principal Engineer

Pompano Beach, FL · On-site

Principal Engineer - Land Development and Water Resources About KEITH: We are a multidisciplined consulting firm offering civil engineering, land surveying, transportation engineering, planning ...

Wood Rodgers

Principal Engineer

Roseville, CA · On-site

$126K - $158K/yr

Principal Engineer Department: Geotechnical Employment Type: Full Time Location: Roseville, CA Compensation: $126,500 - $158,100 / year Description Are you a dynamic leader seeking a career where you ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Principal Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

The Principal Engineer will be responsible for identifying opportunities to modernize platforms, drive AI adoption, establish engineering standards, and coordinate technical solutions that span ...

Wood Rodgers

Principal Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$126K - $158K/yr

Principal Engineer Department: Geotechnical Employment Type: Full Time Location: Sacramento, CA Compensation: $126,500 - $158,100 / year Description Are you a dynamic leader seeking a career where ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Principal Engineer

Eagan, MN · On-site

The Principal Engineer will be responsible for identifying opportunities to modernize platforms, drive AI adoption, establish engineering standards, and coordinate technical solutions that span ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Principal Engineer

Frisco, TX · On-site

The Principal Engineer will be responsible for identifying opportunities to modernize platforms, drive AI adoption, establish engineering standards, and coordinate technical solutions that span ...

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All JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs

Principal Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal 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 a Principal Engineer?

A principal engineer oversees the research, development, and design of engineering projects for a company or organization. These engineering experts are leaders in their industries and need an advanced understanding of their discipline to manage projects and guide team members. As a principal engineer, your job duties include creating budgets, negotiating with vendors, and delegating work. You may also train staff members, set project deadlines, and work to improve engineering application processes.

What is the difference between Principal Engineer vs Senior Engineer?

AspectPrincipal EngineerSenior Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires 8+ years of experience, advanced technical skills, and often leadership or mentorship experienceUsually requires 3-7 years of experience with strong technical skills
Work EnvironmentLeads complex projects, influences technical strategy, collaborates across teamsFocuses on executing technical tasks, supporting project development, and mentoring junior staff
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large tech companies, engineering firms, and organizations with advanced technical hierarchiesWidely used across industries for experienced technical contributors

The main difference between a Principal Engineer and a Senior Engineer lies in their level of responsibility, experience, and influence. Principal Engineers typically lead complex projects and shape technical strategies, while Senior Engineers focus on executing technical tasks and supporting team efforts. Both roles require strong technical skills, but Principal Engineers often have more leadership and strategic responsibilities.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Principal engineers, especially in high-demand industries like technology, aerospace, and finance, can earn $500,000 or more annually with experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, stock options, and other incentives, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant growth potential.

What does a principal engineer do?

A principal engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for designing complex systems, setting technical standards, and guiding engineering teams. They often have deep expertise in their field, use tools like design documentation and code reviews, and may influence product development strategies. Their role combines technical excellence with leadership to ensure project success.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Principal engineers, software engineers, and specialized roles such as data engineers or cloud engineers often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and certifications. Compensation varies by industry, location, and company size, with senior-level positions typically offering higher salaries. Expertise in programming, system architecture, and leadership can contribute to reaching this salary level.

What are Principal Engineers?

Principal Engineers are highly experienced technical experts who lead engineering teams, provide strategic technical direction, and help solve complex engineering challenges within an organization. They often act as mentors, set technical standards, and collaborate with stakeholders across departments to drive innovation and ensure the success of engineering projects. Principal Engineers typically have many years of industry experience and are recognized for their deep technical knowledge and leadership skills.

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

To thrive as a Principal Engineer, you need deep technical expertise in your engineering discipline, strong problem-solving abilities, and typically an advanced degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with complex software development tools, architectural frameworks, and industry certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect or relevant PE licenses is common. Exceptional leadership, communication, and mentorship skills help Principal Engineers guide teams and influence project direction. These competencies are essential for driving innovation, ensuring technical excellence, and delivering large-scale, high-impact solutions.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal engineers, especially in high-demand industries like software, aerospace, and oil and gas, can earn $300,000 or more annually with experience, advanced skills, and often in senior or leadership roles. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in large tech companies or specialized engineering fields.

How does a Principal Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

Principal Engineers play a key role in collaborating with cross-functional teams, such as product management, design, and operations, to ensure technical solutions align with business objectives. They often lead architectural discussions, mentor team members, and facilitate communication between engineering and non-engineering stakeholders. This collaboration helps identify potential challenges early, streamline development processes, and deliver high-quality products. Additionally, Principal Engineers are often involved in setting technical standards and guiding teams through complex problem-solving.
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Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Principal Engineer / Senior Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer / Senior Principal Engineer

Hazen and Sawyer

Midvale, UT • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a qualified and experienced Principal Engineer/Senior Principal Engineer (PE/SPE) to join our team on a full-time basis to support the design and construction of water and wastewater facilities and infrastructure in the Utah Area. We work on a diverse range of projects for municipalities and our clients can expect the highest level of service and expertise from us. As a PE/SPE you will be tasked with leading projects, providing direction and mentorship to junior staff, and coordinating with the client regarding project status and deliverables. Skills needed include excellent communication (written and verbal) skills, strong technical experience for various water, wastewater, or reclaimed water facilities, and strong work ethic and sense of accountability.

Job Description

As a Principal Engineer/Senior Principal Engineer you will manage and support the delivery of projects in the Utah area, with support from and provide support to project teams that span the Intermountain Region. The ideal candidate has 10 or more years of experience working on or with municipal water, wastewater, or reuse projects and is looking to continue to grow their technical and project management skillset by managing projects and teams. You will support and mentor engineers and will be supported by senior mentors on projects.

This position requires experience with project management or the desire to grow into a project management role. The position will lead to an increasing level of client development and management commensurate with experience, supported by our local office and firm-wide technical resources. Candidate should have extensive facility design experience.

This position includes leading and delivering municipal water/wastewater/Reuse facilities planning and design projects. Task responsibilities will include project management, preparation of assessment and design reports, performing design calculations, equipment sizing/selection, preparation of construction documents, support construction management/commissioning needs, etc. Fieldwork and site visits from planning through construction may be required with occasional travel.

Qualifications and Skills

Required

  • 5-15+ years of relevant experience with facility and infrastructure design (or something similar)
  • Registered PE in Utah (or obtain reciprocity in 12 months)
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Civil, Environmental, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering
  • Experience delivering water, wastewater, and/or reuse facility projects from preliminary design through construction
  • Demonstrated strong work ethic and efficient work methods
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Engagement with professional societies and similar organizations by participating in meetings and conferences
  • Proficient in standard software platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam, etc.)
  • Strong organizational skills

Preferred

  • Project Management or Task Management experience in the Utah market for water/wastewater/reuse facilities projects
  • Master of Science degree in Civil, Environmental, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering
  • Documented experience managing multiple successful project teams delivering high quality projects while meeting schedule and budget goals
  • Experience supervising, coordinating, mentoring, and reviewing work by staff
  • Experience communicating and coordinating with clients
  • Experience supporting proposal preparation and participating in interviews
HAZEN AND SAWYER logo

About HAZEN AND SAWYER

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Hazen and Sawyer, headquartered in New York, NY, US, operates within the field of environmental science and engineering. Founded in 1951, the firm specializes in designing drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities, comprehensive solid waste services, and other environmental infrastructure projects. Striving towards nurturing clean, safe water supply, the company upholds it as its primary mission. Their dedication reflects in their numerous honors received at the national and regional levels, including awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Council of Engineering Companies, and Water Environment Federation.

Industry

Environmental consulting services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

1951

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