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Principal Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

BCI Inc

Principal Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

Principal Engineers are oftentimes sought out by BCI to serve as Subject Matter Experts in their field on a part-time or as needed basis. BCI's areas of expertise include Human Systems Integration ...

Stratus Team LLC

Principal Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

The Role The Principal Engineer (PE) is responsible for providing senior-level technical leadership on engineering projects. This role focuses on leading the design, analysis, and construction of ...

Stratus Team LLC

Principal Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

The Role The Principal Engineer (PE) is responsible for providing senior-level technical leadership on engineering projects. This role focuses on leading the design, analysis, and construction of ...

Judge Group, Inc.

Principal Engineer - C++

Reston, VA · On-site

$155K - $255K/yr

Senior Software Engineer / Lead Engineer / Principal Engineer (C++) Location: Hybrid - Reston, VA Level: Senior Engineer (L4), Lead Engineer (L5), Principal Engineer (L6), Senior Principal/Architect ...

Raft Company Website

Principal Engineer

Mclean, VA

About The Role As Principal Engineer you are Raft's embedded technical lead at Aberdeen Proving Ground. You will work directly with Army customers, program offices, and partner integrators to deploy ...

High Industries

Principal Engineer

Arlington, VA

The Principal Engineer provides strategic and technical leadership for all engineering services within a region or national account. This role ensures alignment of engineering operations with ...

Chesterfield County

Principal Engineer

Chesterfield, VA · Hybrid

$84K - $128K/yr

What You Do and How You Do It This Principal Engineer will serve as a manager within the Development Section of the Department of Utilities. The position is responsible for managing a team of Senior ...

Hazen and Sawyer

Principal Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a Principal Engineer for our Fairfax, VA office. Why Hazen and Sawyer: * Founded in 1951 by the son of Allen Hazen (developer of the Hazen-Williams equation), we are an ...

Chesterfield County, VA

Principal Engineer

Chesterfield, VA · On-site

$84K - $128K/yr

What You Do and How You Do It This Principal Engineer will serve as a manager within the Development Section of the Department of Utilities. The position is responsible for managing a team of Senior ...

Bechtel

Principal Engineer - Electrical

Reston, VA · On-site

$144K - $177K/yr

The Principal Engineer - Electrical will support the development and execution of combined cycle power projects in the Electrical discipline. In this role, you will utilize individual technical ...

Bechtel

Principal Engineer - Electrical

Reston, VA

$144K - $176K/yr

The Principal Engineer - Electrical will support the development and execution of combined cycle power projects in the Electrical discipline. In this role, you will utilize individual technical ...

Hazen and Sawyer

Principal Engineer

Roanoke, VA · On-site

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking applicants for a mid-level engineer for the planning, design, and construction administration for water/wastewater assignments. The preferred candidate will have the ...

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All JobsPrincipal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Principal Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$73.4K

$146K

$210.7K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in Virginia is $145,957.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $171,500.00 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.

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 do principal engineers get paid?

Principal engineers typically earn between $120,000 and $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 their compensation package.

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.

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.
More about Principal Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Principal Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Principal Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Engineer jobs in VA? For Principal Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 9% Temporary. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,957 per year, or $70.2 per hour.

Principal Engineer

Basic Commerce & Industries Inc

King George, VA • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc. (BCI) is seeking to fill Principal Engineer positions in support of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Integrated Combat Systems Department (V), Electromagnetic and Sensor Systems Department (B), and other customers within NSWCDD and their tenant organizations. Principal Engineers are oftentimes sought out by BCI to serve as Subject Matter Experts in their field on a part-time or as needed basis. BCI's areas of expertise include Human Systems Integration/Human Factors Engineering, Interoperability, Training, Operational Systems Safety, and Weapon & Combat Systems Engineering. BCI's work force of employees and consultants includes human factors engineers, operational engineers and former naval officers and enlisted subject matter experts.

Job Location: Dahlgren, VA

Telework: Minimal with Task Leader Authorization; these are not remote positions

Job Start Date: Summer 2026

Shift: Days~ 0800-1600

Experience Required:

Successful candidates must have a minimum of 25-30 years US Navy surface warfare experience gained while on active duty senior enlisted or officer serving on carriers, DDGs, CGs, LCS, large deck or smaller amphibious ships, or land-based test sites, etc. OR 25-30 years combination US Navy, civil service, or industry experience. Required specialized experience is required in such programs as Aegis Combat and Weapon Systems, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (ABMD), Ship Self Defense System (SSDS), Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), NIFC-CA, DDG-1000, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) or US Coast Guard. Advanced writing and speaking abilities a must. Two (2) years' experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required. Ability to interface at the flag/O-6 level is a must. A formal degree supporting systems engineering, software engineering or significant analysis experience is a plus and could be a requirement for some positions.

Description of Duties:

These billets are anticipated to provide senior level systems engineering, analysis and program level support to multiple customers within NSWCDD, and potentially NAVSEA, NAVAIR, ONR, various Navy PEOs, etc. Duties for these positions may include: (1) Providing review and recommendations on combat systems integration technical issues including red teams and failure review boards; (2) Strategic planning; (3) Providing SME support to NSWCDD programs managers in the area of product and task definition, review of products, and other task tracking and program support; or (4) Providing engineering expertise in the conduct of conceptual studies, AoAs and other major analytical studies. Must have excellent organizational skills and be able to perform efficiently and effectively on multiple projects under tight deadlines. Must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the BCI team and customers.

Minimal travel may be required.
Applicants must be US citizens. Applicants will be subjected to a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled


Job Posted by ApplicantPro