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Principal Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

EEC Environmental

Senior Principal Engineer

Orange, CA · On-site

$150K/yr

EEC Environmental is actively seeking a creative, growth-focused and ambitious Senior Principal Engineer to serve in a leadership role in our Orange County office. In this role, you will be ...

Masimo

Principal Engineer, Algorithm - ECG

Irvine, CA · On-site

$170K - $215K/yr

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

Masimo

Principal Engineer, Algorithm - ECG

Irvine, CA · On-site

$170K - $215K/yr

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

West Yost

Principal Engineer - Water Treatment

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$129K - $194K/yr

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 ...

West Yost

Principal Engineer - Water Treatment

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$129K - $194K/yr

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 ...

Aveva

Tech Support Principal Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · Hybrid

$82K - $170K/yr

Job Title: Tech Support Principal Engineer Location: USA - Houston, TX/ Lake Forest, CA/ Philadelphia, PA Employment Type: Full Time The job AVEVA Unified Supply Chain has an established reputation ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPrincipal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

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 Sep 6, 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.

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 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 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 does a principal engineer get paid?

A principal engineer's salary typically ranges from $120,000 to $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 compensation.

What do principal engineers do?

Principal engineers are senior technical leaders responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing complex engineering projects. They provide technical guidance, set standards, and collaborate with teams to ensure the successful implementation of solutions, often using tools like CAD, programming languages, or engineering software. They typically have extensive experience and may mentor junior staff while contributing to strategic planning.
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For Principal Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 76% In-person, 12% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,590 per year, or $73.8 per hour.

Principal Engineer, Design Assurance

New World Medical, Inc

Rancho Cucamonga, CA • On-site

$138K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
About New World Medical
Founded in 1990, New World Medical is a mission-driven company focused on preserving and enhancing vision through innovative ophthalmic surgical devices, including the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve and Kahook Dual Blade. We partner closely with eye care professionals to deliver tools that improve clinical outcomes and patient care. Guided by our core values - Gratitude, Collaboration, and Impact, we strive to make a meaningful impact in eye health worldwide. In support of our global mission, we proudly donate surgical equipment to charitable organizations to expand access to quality eye care.
Benefits starting Day One:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) with Profit Share
  • Bonus Opportunities
  • Career Development Program
  • Tuition Assistance (after 1 year of service)
  • Cell Phone Stipends
  • Wellness & Employee Assistance Programs
  • Company Events & Recognition
  • And more!

Be part of something meaningful-join the team at New World Medical.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Principal Engineer, Quality - Design Assurance serves as a quality engineering technical leader supporting new product development, clinical development, design transfer, and sustaining activities throughout the product lifecycle. The role partners cross-functionally with R&D, Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Clinical, Operations, and other functions to ensure appropriate application of design controls, risk management, verification and validation, and Quality Management System requirements. The Principal Engineer, Quality - Design Assurance provides independent quality oversight, leads resolution of complex technical and compliance issues, establishes and promotes quality engineering best practices, and ensures objective evidence demonstrates that product designs and manufacturing processes meet applicable user needs, design requirements, regulatory requirements, and company quality standards.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provides design assurance leadership across the product lifecycle, including design inputs, outputs, reviews, verification, validation, transfer, and changes.
  • Partners with cross-functional teams to define clear, testable requirements and maintain design-control traceability.
  • Provides independent oversight of risk management activities in accordance with ISO 14971 and company procedures.
  • Leads and participates in phase reviews and design reviews, ensuring actions and decisions are documented and resolved.
  • Provides quality oversight for clinical and investigational device builds, including design maturity, configuration, risk, verification/validation, deviations, and changes.
  • Reviews and approves verification and validation strategies, protocols, reports, acceptance criteria, and objective evidence.
  • Supports qualification and validation of inspection and test methods using appropriate statistical techniques.
  • Partners with Regulatory Affairs to assess regulatory impact of new products and product changes.
  • Supports sustaining changes to products, suppliers, manufacturing processes, and related verification/validation activities.
  • Provides quality oversight of design transfer, manufacturing readiness, supplier controls, and process validation, including IQ/OQ/PQ as applicable.
  • Supports supplier selection, qualification, monitoring, development, and audits.
  • Applies statistical methods to design verification, test methods, process validation, capability studies, and investigations.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable QMS requirements, FDA QMSR, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, EU MDR, CMDR, and other global requirements.
  • Serves as a subject-matter expert and mentor in design controls, risk management, quality engineering, and product development.
  • Leads resolution of complex quality and compliance issues and drives continuous improvement.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Expert knowledge of medical device design controls, risk management, verification/validation, design transfer, and product development.
  • Demonstrated technical leadership, cross-functional influence, problem solving, and risk-based decision making.
  • Strong knowledge of FDA QMSR, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, and other applicable medical device requirements.
  • Strong technical writing and review skills for protocols, reports, risk files, requirements, and design-control records.
  • Strong statistical knowledge and experience with Minitab or equivalent statistical software.
  • Excellent written, verbal, presentation, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong project management, prioritization, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Experience with software, firmware, cybersecurity, or combination-product design assurance preferred, as applicable.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering or science field required; advanced degree preferred.
  • 7+ years of experience in medical devices.
  • Experience supporting products through development, clinical use, design transfer, commercialization, and sustaining activities preferred.
  • Relevant quality or regulatory certifications, such as ASQ or RAPS, preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time, including sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Occasionally move about inside the office and travel to and from office buildings. This may include, but is not limited to, bending and walking.
  • Must be able to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a computer printer, computer keyboard, calculator, etc.
  • Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. This may be performed with reasonable accommodation.
  • Ability to listen and speak with others. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
  • View and type on computer screens for long periods of time.

This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Salary Description
$138,000-$150,000 + bonus

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