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Principal Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Docusign

Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

As a Principal Engineer, you will own and evolve the long-term technical vision for marketing, sales, and downstream commerce technology, with a strong emphasis on AI enablement, data platforms, and ...

DocuSign

Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

As a Principal Engineer, you will own and evolve the long-term technical vision for marketing, sales, and downstream commerce technology, with a strong emphasis on AI enablement, data platforms, and ...

Pomona College

Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$139 - $249.26/hr

We are looking for a Principal Engineer specializing in web development for a Design System. You will be a member of the team that builds and maintains the software implementation of a Design System ...

Fugro

Principal Engineer - Land

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$170K - $225K/yr

The Principal Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for the strategic direction, technical excellence, and successful delivery of geotechnical engineering services. This role ...

Freshworks

Principal Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

We are seeking a Sr. Staff / Principal AI Systems Engineer to build, scale, and operate the AI Agent Platform that powers reasoning-driven assistants and autonomous agents across Freshworks - and to ...

Freshworks

Principal Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

We are seeking a Sr. Staff / Principal AI Systems Engineer to build, scale, and operate the AI Agent Platform that powers reasoning-driven assistants and autonomous agents across Freshworks - and to ...

Dozee

Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180 - $260/hr

Write and ship production code -- be in the codebase daily as a hands-on principal engineer, not just producing design documents for others to build. * Rebuild the platform around modern AI ...

Fugro

Principal Engineer - Land

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$170K - $225K/yr

The Principal Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for the strategic direction, technical excellence, and successful delivery of geotechnical engineering services. This role ...

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All JobsPrincipal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs in California

Principal Engineer information

See California salary details

$73K

$145.3K

$209.7K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in California is $145,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,900.00 and $170,700.00 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.
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Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,292 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Principal / Sr. Principal Engineer Software Quality

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$129K - $193K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 370 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

65th of 545 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: NoDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Engineer Software Quality / Sr. Principal Engineer Software Quality based out of Woodland Hills, CA. This position is fully on-site.

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What you will get to do:

  • Develop, modify, apply, and maintain quality evaluation plans to assist program activities for processing software and materials into partially finished or finished products.

  • Collaborate with Program and Engineering management on program quality planning and the establishment of program quality objectives.

  • Working with the Engineering Process Group, collaborate with software engineering and systems engineering functions to ensure quality standards are in place and followed.

  • Assists with verification and validation testing of software and system products.

  • Supports audit activities and audits quality systems for non-conformance identification and corrective action.

  • Ensures that corrective measures meet acceptable quality standards, and that documentation is compliant with requirements.

  • Assists Software Engineering in collecting and reporting metrics.

The ideal candidate must be familiar with QMS (ISO 9001, AS9100, or etc..). This position is fully on-site.

This position can be filled as a Principal Engineer Software Quality or Sr. Principal Engineer Software Quality.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Engineer Software Quality:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or other STEM-related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant software development integration work experience; Master's Degree in Engineering or other STEM-related field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant software development and integration work experience.

  • Experience with development processes including Agile, Waterfall, and/or Spiral Development processes.

  • Experience in the collection of software data and metrics for reporting.

  • Active Top-Secret Clearance.

  • US Citizenship Required.

  • Experience with Scripting languages (e.g. Bash, Python).

  • Experience with Linux Operating System.

  • Experience with Git.

  • Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).

Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Engineer Software Quality:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or other STEM-related field with a minimum of 8 years of relevant software development integration work experience; Master's Degree in Engineering or other STEM-related field with a minimum of 6 years of relevant software development and integration work experience.

  • Experience with development processes including Agile, Waterfall, and/or Spiral Development processes.

  • Experience in the collection of software data and metrics for reporting.

  • Active Top-Secret Clearance.

  • US Citizenship Required.

  • Experience with Scripting languages (e.g. Bash, Python).

  • Experience with Linux Operating System.

  • Experience with Git.

  • Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in a Software Engineering environment in an engineering capacity, work plan review, and root cause/corrective action analysis.

  • Experience with software code review and open to learning different software tools.

  • Software Development and/or Software Engineering background with an Agile/DevSecOps mindset.

  • Experience with GitLab.

  • Experience with Windows 11 Operating System.

  • Experience with AS9100 or ISO 9001.

#MPR

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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