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Principal Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary PRINCIPAL ENGINEER (PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT) SALARY RANGE $154,629.57 - $193,111.15 Annually $12,885.80 - $16,092.60 Monthly $74.34 - $92.84 Hourly BENEFITS - 4-Day Work Week ...

Principal Engineer

Eastvale, CA · On-site

$154K - $193K/yr

Continuous Job Summary PRINCIPAL ENGINEER (PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT) SALARY RANGE $154,629.57 - $193,111.15 Annually $12,885.80 - $16,092.60 Monthly $74.34 - $92.84 Hourly BENEFITS - 4-Day ...

Principal Engineer (Traffic)

Menifee, CA · On-site

$137K - $176K/yr

CAREER DESCRIPTION Principal Engineer (Traffic) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Principal Engineer (Traffic) positions.

Electrical Principal Engineer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $180K/yr

JOIN CANNON as an Electrical Principal Engineer in IRVINE. Irvine offers warm weather, beautiful scenery, and is a top bicycling city with miles of on-road bicycle lanes and mountain bike trails. It ...

Electrical Principal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

JOIN CANNON as an Electrical Principal Engineer in IRVINE. Irvine offers warm weather, beautiful scenery, and is a top bicycling city with miles of on-road bicycle lanes and mountain bike trails. It ...

Structural Principal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$113K - $175K/yr

JOIN CANNON as a STRUCTURAL PRINCIPAL ENGINEER in IRVINE. Irvine offers warm weather, beautiful scenery, and is a top bicycling city with miles of on-road bicycle lanes and mountain bike trails. It ...

Structural Principal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$113K - $175K/yr

JOIN CANNON as a STRUCTURAL PRINCIPAL ENGINEER in IRVINE. Irvine offers warm weather, beautiful scenery, and is a top bicycling city with miles of on-road bicycle lanes and mountain bike trails. It ...

Job Summary: The Principal Engineer, Algorithm - ECG is a senior technical leader responsible for the architecture, development, and advancement of electrocardiogram (ECG) signal processing ...

Job Summary: The Principal Engineer, Algorithm - ECG is a senior technical leader responsible for the architecture, development, and advancement of electrocardiogram (ECG) signal processing ...

Principal Engineer - Drinking Water Treatment The Principal Engineer -Drinking Water Treatment is responsible for leading planning and design of water treatment projects. This includes business ...

Principal Engineer - Drinking Water Treatment The Principal Engineer -Drinking Water Treatment is responsible for leading planning and design of water treatment projects. This includes business ...

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Showing results 1-20

Principal Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$77.2K

$153.6K

$221.7K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in Riverside, CA is $153,590.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,600.00 and $180,500.00 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.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Principal engineers, especially in high-demand industries like technology, aerospace, and finance, can earn $500,000 or more annually with experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, stock options, and other incentives, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant growth potential.

What does a principal engineer do?

A principal engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for designing complex systems, setting technical standards, and guiding engineering teams. They often have deep expertise in their field, use tools like design documentation and code reviews, and may influence product development strategies. Their role combines technical excellence with leadership to ensure project success.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Principal engineers, software engineers, and specialized roles such as data engineers or cloud engineers often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and certifications. Compensation varies by industry, location, and company size, with senior-level positions typically offering higher salaries. Expertise in programming, system architecture, and leadership can contribute to reaching this salary level.

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 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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal engineers, especially in high-demand industries like software, aerospace, and oil and gas, can earn $300,000 or more annually with experience, advanced skills, and often in senior or leadership roles. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in large tech companies or specialized engineering fields.

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 popular job titles related to Principal Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA? For Principal Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Principal Engineer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Principal Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,590 per year, or $73.8 per hour.

$154K - $193K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Job Summary PRINCIPAL ENGINEER (PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT) SALARY RANGE $154,629.57 - $193,111.15 Annually $12,885.80 - $16,092.60 Monthly $74.34 - $92.84 Hourly BENEFITS - 4-Day Work Week - 11 Paid Holidays + 1 Floating Holiday - 3.5% COLA on July 1, 2026 are in addition to regularly scheduled merit increases that are dependent on performance - $2,721.01 Monthly Benefit Allowance towards Medical, Dental, and Vision starting 2026 - Employer Contribution to a Health Reimbursement Account upon completion of fifth year - Pension through CalPERS - 457 Deferred Compensation Plan through Voya Financial - 200% Employer Contribution Match to a 457 Plan up to $3,000 per year - Professional Development with Breaking the Chain Consulting - $2,500 Educational Reimbursement per Fiscal Year MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and registration in California as a Professional Engineer. A master's degree in a field related to Civil Engineering is desirable. EXPERIENCE: Four or more years of responsible professional civil engineering experience, including experience with public works projects and three years of supervisory experience

CERTIFICATIONS: Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer (P.E.) with the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers required. Essential Functions EASTVALE'S PURPOSE & VALUES PROTECTING THE PROSPERITY AND WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY HUMBLE; put people and purpose first CARING; be kindhearted, attentive, and responsive DRIVEN; work hard towards meaningful and creative solutions JOIN AN AWARD WINNING ORGANIZATION The City was recently recognized as a 2025 Top Workplaces organization-an award based entirely on employee feedback. This recognition reflects the strength of our workplace culture, leadership, and commitment to creating an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and engaged

This is an exciting time to join the organization. The City is actively building a new downtown area and planning to move into a new City Hall within the next few years, offering meaningful opportunities to support growth, modernization, and long-term infrastructure initiatives. Experience, Training & Licenses THE POSITION The Principal Engineer will serve as a key member of the City's Public Works/ Engineering Department and will contribute to the maintenance and operation of the City's infrastructure as well as take ownership of the execution, delivery, and reporting of high-priority capital infrastructure projects.

The Principal Engineer will serve the Eastvale community with a "can do" attitude and "get it done" approach to work in a fast-paced environment while driving solutions independently, and maintaining tight accountability with departmental leadership. WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING Supporting long-range efforts in the development of Downtown Eastvale which includes a Civic Center, City Hall, Public Library, Fire Station, Police Substation, and Lifestyle Center. Directly executing, managing, and advancing multiple construction and design projects that are part of the City's Capital Improvements program.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate for the Principal Engineer position is a highly experienced and accountable professional who brings deep technical expertise with an unrelenting urgency to correctly and timely deliver complex capital projects. This individual has extensive experience managing Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, including federal funding processes, fund allocation, and right-of-way acquisition. They are skilled in coordinating with multiple utility providers and federal agencies, ensuring projects move forward efficiently and in compliance with all requirements.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of successfully delivering atypical and unique projects, demonstrating sound judgment, adaptability, and innovation. With a strong sense of ownership, they are motivated, driven, and independently chart strategic paths forward and deliver consistent updates to supervisors. ***CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY*** Special Requirements HOW TO APPLY To be considered for the position, all candidates must submit a completed City application, cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references here.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant training, education, experience and writing skills as presented in the application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questions. The process may include interviews and/or performance tests. A background investigation including, LIVESCAN fingerprinting and verification of previous employment.

Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Upon receipt of a conditional offer of employment letter, applicants are required to complete a drug and/or alcohol test at the time of their pre-employment physical. All employees are required by law to sign a loyalty oath to the United States and the State of California Constitution at time of hire.

This recruitment is open on a continuous basis with the first review deadline date being Sunday, July 12th, 2026 at 11:59pm PST. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first deadline date.