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Principal Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MelodyArc, Inc.

Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer About MelodyArc MelodyArc delivers consistent outcomes for the work AI can't do alone - orchestrating data, rules, AI, and people in one governed system so the right judgment is ...

Wood Rodgers

Principal Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$126K - $158K/yr

Principal Engineer Department: Geotechnical Employment Type: Full Time Location: Sacramento, CA Compensation: $126,500 - $158,100 / year Description Are you a dynamic leader seeking a career where ...

Omnidian

Principal Engineer

As a Principal Engineer, you will serve as a key technical advisor and architect for the engineering organization, optimizing software development and platform architecture during a high growth phase.

City of Watsonville

Principal Engineer

Watsonville, CA

$130K - $174K/yr

The City of Watsonville is seeking a seasoned, solutions-driven Principal Engineer to lead development review and land use engineering. You will guide private applications, from commercial and ...

Sunbelt Solomon

Principal Engineer

Solomon, KS · On-site

Description The Principal Engineer role offers the opportunity to lead complex transformer design projects from concept through production, working at the intersection of engineering innovation ...

Venus Consultancy

Principal Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

Principal Engineer (Backend / Platform)About Us We are a Cambridge, MA-based rapidly scaling Generative AI startup. Our platform enables thousands of AI Agents to "think" and cooperate for hours to ...

Kelly Services

Principal Engineer

Juncos, PR

$53/hr

We're seeking a Principal Engineer to work at a premier pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry leader industry in Juncos, PR. Salary: $53.00 hr - W2 Shift: 8hrs shift | Administrative - with work ...

Kelly Services

PR

$53/hr

We're seeking a Principal Engineer to work at a premier pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry leader industry in Juncos, PR. Salary: $53.00 hr - W2 Shift: 8hrs shift | Administrative - with work ...

Frost Bank

Principal Engineer

San Antonio, TX · On-site

If so, being a Principal Engineer at Frost could be the job for you. At Frost, it's about more than a job. It's about having a flourishing career where you can thrive, both in and out of work. At ...

NextDeavor Inc.

Principal Engineer

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Principal Engineer Full-time Kalamazoo, MI, US Exclusive confidential search -- details shared with qualified applicants. Benefits You'll Love * Medical coverage including prescription drug benefits

City of Watsonville, CA

Principal Engineer

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

The Principal Engineer is embedded in development services; you will ensure projects meet City standards, stormwater/NPDES-LID requirements, and applicable California laws (Subdivision Map Act, CEQA ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Principal Engineer

Washington, DC · Hybrid

Principal Engineer Are you inspired by the opportunity to shape the future of AI-driven technology and lead the development of the next generation of high-performance, scalable, reliable, and ...

Waypoint Human Capital

Principal Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site +1

Principal Engineer Position Type: Full-time, Remote Location: Tampa, FL (Preferred) Clearance: (At Minimum) Secret Travel: Approximately 10% Waypoint's client is seeking a Principal Engineer to ...

Waypoint Human Capital

Principal Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site +1

Principal Engineer Position Type: Full-time, Remote Location: Tampa, FL (Preferred) Clearance: (At Minimum) Secret Travel: Approximately 10% Waypoint's client is seeking a Principal Engineer to ...

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Principal Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 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.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Principal engineers in electrical engineering can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles in high-paying industries like aerospace, defense, or energy. Such salaries often include bonuses, stock options, or other incentives, but are typically reserved for senior-level positions in large organizations or specialized fields.

What engineers make $500,000?

Principal engineers, especially in high-demand industries like technology, aerospace, and finance, can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities in complex projects or organizations.

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 technology, aerospace, and finance, can earn $300,000 or more annually with extensive experience, advanced skills, and often in senior or leadership roles. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in large companies or startups with significant growth potential.

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.

How much is a principal engineer 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.
More about Principal Engineer jobs
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Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Engineer

MelodyArc, Inc.

Remote

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Principal Engineer
About MelodyArc
MelodyArc delivers consistent outcomes for the work AI can't do alone - orchestrating data, rules, AI, and people in one governed system so the right judgment is applied at the right moment, every time, with a full record of why. Our orchestration core, the Point Engine, lets enterprise operations teams configure agentic AI Operators that execute work end-to-end while leveraging existing business logic and human-in-the-loop workflows. Learn More.
Role
We're hiring a Principal Engineer to own the architecture at the heart of our core platform: high-reliability orchestration, rules-driven execution, and secure enterprise integration. You will:
Drive the architecture and design of large-scale, multi-tiered, distributed software applications, tools, systems, and services. Model hands-on-keyboard technical leadership where you ship, review, and mentor. Partner with product to translate business and functional requirements into technical specifications and robust, scalable, secure, supportable solutions across complex systems. Serve as technical lead across the full development lifecycle - scoping, planning, design, hands-on implementation, testing, documentation, delivery, and maintenance. Provide design reviews for other engineers on architecture, integration, performance, scalability, and security, and shape the engineering culture of a fast-moving, product-focused company.
Basic Qualifications
  • 9+ years of non-internship professional software development experience using NodeJS.
  • 9+ years designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability, and scaling) new and existing systems.
  • Experience designing secure systems and implementing practices aligned with SOC 2 Type II or similar compliance frameworks.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 9+ years across the full software development lifecycle: coding standards, code reviews, source control, build processes, testing, and operations.
  • 9+ years building complex software systems.
  • Experience with React, Redux, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (ES6+), and TypeScript.
  • Experience with customer service operations and/or solutions.

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