ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Principal Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Pasadena

Principal Engineer

Pasadena, CA

$157K - $196K/yr

The Principal Engineer leads the Water Resources and Planning Division, overseeing critical water resource programs, capital improvement projects, regulatory compliance efforts, and engineering ...

Wood Rodgers

Principal Engineer

Roseville, CA · On-site

$126.50 - $158.10/hr

Principal Engineer Department: Geotechnical Employment Type: Full Time Location: Roseville, CA Compensation: $126,500 - $158,100 / year Description Wood Rodgers, a leading engineering consulting firm ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Principal Engineer

Washington, DC

Principal Engineer Are you inspired by the opportunity to shape the future of AI-driven technology and lead the development of the next generation of high-performance, scalable, reliable, and ...

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 ...

Frost Bank

Principal Engineer

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Principal Engineer page is loaded## Principal Engineerlocations: San Antonio, TX - One Frost: Houston-Varies: Fort Worth-Varies: Dallas-Varies: Austin-Variestime type: Full timeposted on: Posted ...

City of Eastvale

Principal Engineer

Mira Loma, CA · On-site

$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 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

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

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

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 ...

Dell GmbH

WI · On-site

$140 - $200/hr

Principal Engineer, Software Engineering The Software Engineering team delivers next-generation software application enhancements and new products for a changing world. Working at the cutting edge ...

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 ...

Dell GmbH

Software Principal Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$140 - $200/hr

Principal Engineer, Software Engineering The Software Engineering team delivers next-generation software application enhancements and new products for a changing world. Working at the cutting edge ...

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

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$126.50 - $158.10/hr

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 ...

Stratus Team, LLC

Principal Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$140 - $210/hr

Principal Engineer Full Time Level 8 Richmond, Richmond, VA, US 6 days ago Requisition ID: 1377 Stratus ® is an integrated, multi-disciplinary engineering, architecture, interior design, and ...

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 ...

Sunbelt Solomon

Principal Engineer

Sharon, PA · On-site +1

Description The Principal Engineer role offers the opportunity to lead complex transformer design projects from concept through production, working at the intersection of engineering innovation ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEngineering JobsEngineers JobsEngineering Manager 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 Aug 26, 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.

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.

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 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.

How much does a principal engineer get paid?

A principal engineer's salary typically ranges from $120,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often have advanced technical skills, leadership responsibilities, and may receive bonuses or stock options as part of compensation.

What do principal engineers do?

Principal engineers are senior technical leaders responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing complex engineering projects. They provide technical guidance, set standards, and collaborate with teams to ensure the successful implementation of solutions, often using tools like CAD, programming languages, or engineering software. They typically have extensive experience and may mentor junior staff while contributing to strategic planning.
More about Principal Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Principal Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Principal Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Principal Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Principal Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Principal Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Principal Engineer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Principal Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Engineer jobs are:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Engineer jobs?

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

Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Engineer

Pasadena, CA

City of Pasadena
See more jobs at City of Pasadenaexternal

$157K - $196K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

The City of Pasadena has partnered with Koff & Associates to invite qualified candidates to apply for the position of Principal Engineer (Water Resources and Planning). with the Water and Power Department: The Principal Engineer leads the Water Resources and Planning Division, overseeing critical water resource programs, capital improvement projects, regulatory compliance efforts, and engineering initiatives that support the City's long-term water reliability and sustainability goals. This position provides technical leadership for complex infrastructure projects, collaborates with regional agencies and stakeholders, and helps shape the City's future water supply strategies.

Please review the detailed recruitment brochure, which explains the opportunity and provides application instructions here. For further questions or inquiries, please contact Koff & Associates recruiter Chelsea Freeman with any questions or inquiries at 510.570.3844 or by email at Chelsea_Freeman@ajg.com

Apply