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Principal Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

ANS

Principal Engineer- Civil

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$147K - $189K/yr

As Principal Engineer - Civil, you will be the strategic and technical leader driving the success of our civil engineering team. This role combines hands-on expertise with visionary leadership to ...

ANS

Principal Engineer- Civil

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$147K - $189K/yr

As Principal Engineer - Civil, you will be the strategic and technical leader driving the success of our civil engineering team. This role combines hands-on expertise with visionary leadership to ...

City of Durham, NC

Principal Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site +1

$87K - $135K/yr

You must apply for both positions to be considered for either the Principal Engineer or the Senior Engineer position. A flexible work environment, top-notch management, highly qualified, competent ...

City of Durham

Principal Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site

$87K - $135K/yr

You must apply for both positions to be considered for either the Principal Engineer or the Senior Engineer position. A flexible work environment, top-notch management, highly qualified, competent ...

NetApp

Principal Engineer, AI BU

Morrisville, NC · On-site

Job Summary As a Principal Engineer in NetApp's AI BU, you are a senior technical authority - architecting and tech-leading complex, cross-team initiatives and setting technical direction for ...

New

Relias US

Principal Software Engineer

Morrisville, NC · Hybrid

$126K - $169K/yr

The Principal Engineer will be instrumental in shaping strategic decisions, guiding technical direction, and ensuring the integration of advanced engineering practices. This role requires deep ...

Hazen and Sawyer

Principal Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a Water/Wastewater Project Engineer for our Raleigh office office. As part of our design and process teams, you will work on water and wastewater projects, including ...

City of Durham, NC

Principal Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site +1

$87K - $135K/yr

Devoted to providing engineering support, inspection, and professional civil engineering for a variety of public works, utilities, storm water, and transportation facilities/projects as well as ...

City of Durham

Principal Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site

$87K - $135K/yr

Devoted to providing engineering support, inspection, and professional civil engineering for a variety of public works, utilities, storm water, and transportation facilities/projects as well as ...

City of Durham

Principal Engineer - Stormwater

Durham, NC · On-site

$87K - $135K/yr

This position will work in the Development Infrastructure Division of the Planning and Development Department and will serve as a Principal Engineer in the Stormwater Review Group. The primary ...

Baxter

Principal System Engineer

Raleigh, NC

$104K - $143K/yr

As a Principal Engineer at Baxter, your contributions directly impact making a significant difference for others. It is demanding work, yet you are not isolated. Our teams collaborate across ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Principal Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$71.9K

$143.1K

$206.6K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in Raleigh, NC is $143,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,200.00 and $168,200.00 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 Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Principal Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Principal Engineer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Principal Engineer job openings:
Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,102 per year, or $68.8 per hour.

Cloud Senior Principal Engineer

The UNC System Office

Raleigh, NC

$122K - $168K/yr

Other

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

The Cloud Senior Principal Engineer serves as the organization's highest-level technical contributor and engineering leader for cloud platforms, artificial intelligence solutions, enterprise applications, and digital transformation initiatives. This position provides strategic technical direction, establishes engineering standards and architecture practices, and leads the design and implementation of complex, enterprise-wide technology solutions.The Senior Principal Engineer oversees the technical work of Cloud and AI Engineering team while fostering a culture of innovation, engineering excellence, and continuous improvement. The role serves as the primary technical advisor for emerging technologies, cloud architecture, AI strategy, enterprise platform modernization, and system-wide digital initiatives.

Working closely with executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technology teams, the Senior Principal Engineer translates strategic objectives into scalable, secure, and sustainable technical solutions. This position maintains deep technical expertise while providing mentorship, architectural governance, and leadership across multiple technology domains including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, application development, enterprise integration, cybersecurity, and platform engineering.

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