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Principal Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

BCI Inc

Principal Engineer (BMD)

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc. (BCI) is seeking to fill one (1) Principal Engineer to provide Operations expertise in support of Missile Defense Agency (MDA) at the Naval Surface Warfare Center ...

Hazen and Sawyer

Senior Principal Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$128K - $177K/yr

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer for our Fairfax, VA office. Key Responsibilities: * Delivering public sector water and wastewater facilities planning and design projects

Raft Company Website

Principal Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site +1

$180K - $230K/yr

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S. Who we are: Raft ( is a ...

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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
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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 (BMD)

BCI Inc

Dahlgren, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc. (BCI) is seeking to fill one (1) Principal Engineer to provide Operations expertise in support of Missile Defense Agency (MDA) at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) for Aegis Weapons System (AWS) programs with Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability.

Job Location: Dahlgren, VA

Telework: Candidate must be able to be in Dahlgren; telework is very minimal

Job Start Date: July 2026

Shift: Days~ 0800-1600

Experience Required:

Successful candidates must have a minimum of 20+ years of US Navy surface warfare experience gained while on active duty serving as Line Officer, Limited Duty Officer (LDO) or Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) on carriers, DDGs, CGs, LCS, large deck or smaller amphibious ships, land-based duty stations, etc. OR 20+ years' combination active duty, Industry, and/or civil service experience. Required specialized experience in Aegis Combat and Weapon Systems; Aegis BMD Sea-Based Weapon Systems, Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC); Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD); Navy Integrated Fire Control (NIFC). Experience may have been gained as a Tactical Action Officer (TAO), BMD Officer (BMDO), Joint Interface Control Officer (JICO) or Interface Control Officer (ICO), Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer, Air Defense (AD) Officer, Anti-Air Watch Coordinator (AAWC). Two (2) years' experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required. A formal degree supporting systems engineering and/or Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) certification with significant analysis experience is a plus.

Description of Duties:

Duties for this position will be supporting MDA ABW, providing technical support for both development and in service programs. This may include:

  1. Analyze and develop counter-tactics for emerging peer/near-peer threat profiles
  2. Support the tactical employment design for future Aegis Baselines (e.g., Baseline 9, Baseline 10/BL10).
  3. Provide Subject Matter Expertise (SME) input for the integration of next-generation interceptors, such as Glide Phase Interceptors (GPI) and advanced SM-6/SM-3 variants, into the Aegis Weapon System.
  4. Collaborate with systems engineering teams to validate high-fidelity M&S outputs against real-world tactical constraints.
  5. Provide the "warfighter perspective" during the design and testing phases of new software builds to ensure operational suitability.

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.

Up to 15% travel may be required

Applicants must be US citizens. Secret clearance is required at hiring; Top Secret is preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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