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Principal Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Microsoft

Principal Circuit Design Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$188K - $304.20K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Circuit Design Engineer with a passion for envisioning and creating complex technical IPs and solutions in conjunction with our SoC partners. Responsibilities

Novartis

Principal Engineer, MS&T

Durham, NC · On-site

$126K - $234K/yr

As a Principal Engineer, MS&T, you will serve as a scientific and technical leader for upstream processes, bringing deep expertise in gene therapy manufacturing to support innovation, troubleshoot ...

Nubank

Principal Software Engineer - Credit Card

Durham, NC · On-site +1

$122.30K - $164K/yr

Principal Software Engineer - Credit Card Brazil, Sao Paulo; USA, Durham; USA, Miami; USA, Palo Alto; USA, Washington DC Opportunity We are hiring a Principal Engineer to drive architectural ...

Deloitte

Principal GenAI Engineer

Raleigh, NC

As a Principal GenAI Engineer , you will actively engage in your engineering craft, taking a hands-on approach to multiple high-visibility projects. Your expertise will be pivotal in delivering ...

NetApp

Distinguished Engineer

Morrisville, NC

Prior experience as a Principal or Senior Principal engineer working on high-scale, geo-distributed applications or services built on major cloud providers is highly preferred. Experience with open ...

CAPTRUST

Principal Semantic Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

CAPTRUST is seeking a Principal Semantic Engineer to design, build, and govern the semantic and knowledge foundations that make AI trustworthy, explainable, and scalable across the firm. This role ...

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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 May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in Raleigh, NC is $143,110.00, 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 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.

What are Principal Engineers?

Principal Engineers are highly experienced technical experts who lead engineering teams, provide strategic technical direction, and help solve complex engineering challenges within an organization. They often act as mentors, set technical standards, and collaborate with stakeholders across departments to drive innovation and ensure the success of engineering projects. Principal Engineers typically have many years of industry experience and are recognized for their deep technical knowledge and leadership skills.

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.

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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,110 per year, or $68.8 per hour.

Principal Machine Learning Engineer (GenAI / AI Architecture)

VDart

Raleigh, NC • Hybrid

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Principal Machine Learning Engineer (GenAI / AI Architecture)
Location: Hybrid - Raleigh, NC - 2 days onsite
6-12 month contract-to-hire
What This Person Will Actually Do
This is a Principal-level IC role with minimal hands-on coding.
Core responsibilities:
    • Set technical direction for LLM, RAG, and GenAI adoption across multiple teams
    • Evaluate and recommend AI architectures, tools, and frameworks
    • Help decompose business and product requirements into clear technology decisions
    • Advise teams on best practices for AI agents, ensuring quality and avoiding "AI slop"
    • Support teams as they build (guidance and review), but not execute the build themselves
    • Act as a trusted advisor to engineering and product leadership during fast-moving technical change
Technical Environment & Expectations
    • Cloud: AWS (current standard), but candidate must not be locked into one cloud or toolset
    • Languages:
      • Python is the most relevant
      • Exposure to Java / .NET ecosystems is important (for legacy alignment)
    • AI / GenAI:
      • LLMs
      • RAG
      • AI agents
      • Multi-model strategies
    • Candidate should be able to discuss multiple GenAI tools, their tradeoffs, pros/cons, and use cases - not overly attached to one vendor or framework.
Must-Have Skills (Recruiter Screening Criteria)
  • Senior / Principal-level experience
  • Strong GenAI / LLM systems knowledge
  • Hands-on background earlier in career, now operating at architect / advisor level
  • Experience guiding teams through technology decisions (not just building solo)
  • Strong cloud-based AI architecture understanding
  • Python development background

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