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Principal Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

NV5, Inc.

Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Nevada, IA · On-site

$180 - $205/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview NV5, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated, self-driven PRINCIPAL ENGINEER in the GEOTECHNICAL field for a leadership position in Northern California. The current Chico, Nevada City and Truckee ...

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All JobsPrincipal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Principal Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$69.5K

$138.3K

$199.6K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in Iowa is $138,279.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,300.00 and $162,500.00 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 Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,279 per year, or $66.5 per hour.

Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering

Raytheon Technologies

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

$135K - $204K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Date Posted:
2026-07-24
Country:
United States of America
Location:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-106 ~ 400 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 106
Position Role Type:
Unspecified
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Security Clearance Type:
Security Clearance Status:
Not Required
Rockwell Collins Inc. d/b/a Collins Aerospace has an opening for a Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Joining Collins Aerospace isn't just about finding a job; it's about embarking on a journey to redefine the future of aerospace technology.
What YOU will do
  • Innovate, design, develop and implement technologies, components, sub- systems, machines, tools and systems to ensure compliance to specifications, requirements and customer guarantees across applicable operating conditions.
  • Perform analysis at all levels of the total system product including concept, design, fabrication, modeling, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal.
  • Perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems.
  • Consider and evaluate alternatives accounting for similar metrics; and manage configuration process, perform functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
  • Ensure the logical and systematic conversion of product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule and cost constraints; and perform architectural explorations.
  • Decompose customer specifications and system level requirements into sub- system and piece part requirements and generate verification criteria and plan for the requirements.
  • Ensure novel ideas and implementations are captured and protected using applicable IP processes and tools.

Qualifications You Must Have
  • Must possess at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field and at least 8 years of progressive experience as an Embedded Systems Engineer or related role. In the alternative, must possess at least a master's degree or its equivalent in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field and at least 5 years of experience as an Embedded Systems Engineer or related role would be acceptable.
  • Must possess at least 4 years of experience capturing and analyzing customer Cabin Management System requirements.
  • Must possess at least 3 years of experience performing system design requiring planning and coordination of development tasks across multiple subsystem functional areas.
  • Must possess at least 2 years of experience performing system integration and testing of aircraft lighting, audio/video, or cabin management systems.
  • Must possess at least 1 year of experience working with aircraft cabin management systems or in-flight entertainment systems development life cycle.
  • Non-US Person - Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company's immigration sponsorship now or in the future. The company will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role.

Learn More & Apply Now!
Avionics: Our Avionics team advances flight deck solutions, airborne communications, vision systems, sensors and fire protection for commercial and military customers around the world. That means we're helping people reach their destination safely and keeping pilots, passengers, flight crews, airlines, airports and military personnel connected and informed. And we're providing industry-leading fire protection and safety systems that our customers can count on when it matters most. Are you ready to learn from the most knowledgeable experts in the industry, develop the technologies of tomorrow and reach new heights in your career? Join our Avionics team today.
Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work onsite. This
includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the
development of our products.
The salary range is $135,803.00 to $204,500.00 USD per year. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.
Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company's performance.
This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.
RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.
RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.
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