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Principal Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Thermal Senior Principal Engineer Join us as a Thermal Senior Principal Engineer on our Network Engineer Hardware team in Franklin, MA to do the best work of your career and make a profound social ...

New

Electrical Systems Principal Engineer

Hopkinton, MA ยท On-site

$152K - $186K/yr

Electrical Systems Principal Engineer The reputation of Dell Technologies for delivering award-winning hardware is legendary and our Hardware Engineering team is at the heart of it. We design and ...

Thermal Senior Principal Engineer Join us as a Thermal Senior Principal Engineer on our Network Engineer Hardware team in Franklin, MA to do the best work of your career and make a profound social ...

New

Principal Engineer (Boston)

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$220K - $240K/yr

Compensation $220,000 - $240,000 / year Department CTO Office Location Arlington Description We are seeking a Principal Engineer to spearhead the development of cuttingโ€‘edge Application Security ...

Principal Engineer

Bedford, MA ยท On-site

$127K - $158K/yr

The AspenTech Performance Engineering Solution provides a market leading integrated suite of products to optimize the performance of process industry assets across the CAPEX and OPEX cycles and is ...

Principal Engineer

Bedford, MA ยท On-site

$127K - $158K/yr

The AspenTech Performance Engineering Solution provides a market leading integrated suite of products to optimize the performance of process industry assets across the CAPEX and OPEX cycles and is ...

Principal Engineer

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$240 - $330/hr

Our teams are made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers, and doers. Together, we can change the world. All Motional open positions and applications will be posted here on the official ...

Principal Engineer

North Andover, MA ยท On-site

$95 - $100/hr

Improves software engineering process efficiency. * Resolves software defects. * Supports effort to create efficient software engineering practices. * Performs root cause and failure analysis ...

Showing results 21-40

Principal Engineer information

See Massachusetts salary details

$80.8K

$160.8K

$232.1K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in Massachusetts is $160,782.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,400.00 and $188,900.00 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.

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

The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Principal Engineer jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Principal Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Engineer jobs in MA?

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

Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,782 per year, or $77.3 per hour.

Thermal Senior Principal Engineer

Dell GmbH

Franklin, MA โ€ข On-site

$140 - $200/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG)builds the products that power infrastructure, solutions, and data management our customers need most. Our teams design and develop the hardware and software that connect infrastructure, accelerate computational workloads, integrate across the stack, protect data continuity, and deliver the platforms, applications, and diagnostics our customers rely on every day at enterprise scale.

Some product builders follow the rules. Ours rewrite them.

Within ISG, innovation isn't just about creating new technology- it's about challenging assumptions and reimagining how work gets done. Engineers define intent, author precise specifications, and orchestrate AI agents that execute at speed and scale. AI is embedded throughout our development process, helping us move faster, learn quicker, and deliver greater impact. Yet the most important contribution remains uniquely human: deciding what to build, designing how it should work, and applying the judgment needed to earn our customers' trust. When your products power critical infrastructure around the world, that responsibility matters.

We move quickly toward the work that matters most. We reward experimentation, encourage bold thinking, and remove unnecessary barriers so great ideas can become reality faster. Our teams embrace a customer-first, first-to-market mindset, transforming rapid feedback into better products and better outcomes. We aren't looking for people who are content with the status quo- we look for builders who question it, improve it, and occasionally rewrite it.

If you're energized by solving complex systems challenges, excited to work alongside AI to amplify your impact, and motivated by the opportunity to shape what's next instead of simply maintaining what's been done before, you'll find your place here.

Thermal Senior Principal Engineer

Join us as a Thermal Senior Principal Engineer on our Network Engineer Hardware team in Franklin, MA to do the best work of your career and make a profound social impact.

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