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Principal Infrastructure Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Principal Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, under the direction of the Senior manager of Infrastructure will collaborate with our internal IT teams to design, analyze, and maintain several key ...

The Principal Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, under the direction of the Senior manager of Infrastructure will collaborate with our internal IT teams to design, analyze, and maintain several key ...

The Principal Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, under the direction of the Senior manager of Infrastructure will collaborate with our internal IT teams to design, analyze, and maintain several key ...

The Principal Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, under the direction of the Senior manager of Infrastructure will collaborate with our internal IT teams to design, analyze, and maintain several key ...

The Principal Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, under the direction of the Senior manager of Infrastructure will collaborate with our internal IT teams to design, analyze, and maintain several key ...

The Principal Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, under the direction of the Senior manager of Infrastructure will collaborate with our internal IT teams to design, analyze, and maintain several key ...

Infrastructure Engineer

Vacaville, CA

$121K - $159K/yr

... Principal System Engineers to maintain system availability and support infrastructure components, including firewalls and antivirus software. • Work with project teams and outside groups including ...

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Principal Infrastructure Engineer information

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$21K

$149.2K

$224.5K

How much do principal infrastructure engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal infrastructure engineer in the United States is $149,214.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $175,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Principal Infrastructure Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement large-scale projects?

As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer, you will frequently work alongside software developers, network architects, DevOps engineers, and project managers to design and deliver robust infrastructure solutions. Your role often involves leading technical discussions, establishing best practices, and ensuring all infrastructure components meet project requirements. Collaboration is key, as you'll coordinate system integrations, troubleshoot complex issues, and guide teams through migrations or upgrades. This cross-functional teamwork not only enhances project outcomes but also broadens your exposure to diverse technologies and business needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Infrastructure Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Infrastructure Engineer, you need deep expertise in network architecture, cloud platforms, and systems administration, usually demonstrated by a degree in computer science or a related field and extensive experience. Familiarity with tools like Terraform, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure, and relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Cisco CCNP are commonly required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure robust, scalable, and secure infrastructure solutions that support organizational goals and technological growth.

What is a Principal Infrastructure Engineer?

A Principal Infrastructure Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for designing, overseeing, and optimizing the IT infrastructure within an organization. They lead large-scale infrastructure projects, ensure system reliability and scalability, and often mentor other engineers. Their work includes managing cloud platforms, networks, storage, and security, as well as establishing best practices for infrastructure management. Principal Infrastructure Engineers play a key role in aligning technology solutions with business goals and ensuring efficient and secure operations.

What is the difference between Principal Infrastructure Engineer vs Infrastructure Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Infrastructure EngineerInfrastructure Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or related field, with extensive experience; certifications like Cisco CCNP, AWS, or Azure are commonUsually holds a bachelor's degree in IT, computer science, or related; certifications like Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+ are common
Work EnvironmentLeads complex infrastructure projects, designs architecture, and mentors teams in enterprise settingsSupports, maintains, and implements infrastructure solutions in data centers or cloud environments
Employer & Industry UsageFound in large corporations, cloud providers, and consulting firmsCommon in IT departments across various industries, including tech, finance, and healthcare

The main difference is that a Principal Infrastructure Engineer focuses on strategic design, leadership, and complex project oversight, while an Infrastructure Engineer handles day-to-day implementation and maintenance tasks. Both roles require technical expertise, but the Principal role involves higher-level planning and decision-making.

More about Principal Infrastructure Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Infrastructure Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Infrastructure Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Principal Infrastructure Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Infrastructure Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Infrastructure Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,214 per year, or $71.7 per hour.
Principal Infrastructure Engineering Lead

Principal Infrastructure Engineering Lead

Fortinet

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Fortinet is looking for an enthusiastic and talented Infrastructure Engineering Leader to join our cloud infrastructure team to work with software developers and other operational specialists to support our FortiCloud services. You will be involved with working in a wide variety of cloud computing technologies in both the development and operational stages. The everyday working environment is Linux servers, containers, Kubernetes, OpenStack, GCP, OCI and AWS.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement technical strategy for monitoring and supporting infrastructure for Fortinet Cloud services

  • Standardize operational model for infrastructure and service operations to improve organization efficiency

  • Collaborate with leadership to implement long term vision of datacenter, Private Cloud and architecture strategy

  • Oversee a breadth of Cloud Services from conception to maintenance

  • Provide technical guidance in optimizing service architecture and performance including containerization, virtualization and datacenter architecture

  • Report to IT Leadership in Canada

Experience and skills:

  • Minimum of 5 years in leadership role

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in DevOps or cloud infrastructure roles, with at least 3 years focused on Kubernetes.

  • Proficient in Kubernetes, Docker, docker-compose and container orchestration.

  • Experience with cloud platforms such as Openstack, VMware, AWS, GCP, or Azure.

  • Experience with different Kubernetes orchestration tools such as Openshift, Rancher k3s and rke2, EKS etc.

  • Strong knowledge of configuration management and infrastructure as code (Ansible, Terraform).

  • Familiarity with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI, Argo CD).

  • Proficient in scripting and programming languages (Python, Bash).

  • Experience with monitoring and logging tools (FortiMonitor, Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, Nagios, Cacti, Zabbix).

  • Understanding of networking within Kubernetes (Istio, Calico, Cilium).

  • Strong focus on security best practices in Kubernetes.

Personal attributes:

  • Highly motivated, positive, responsible and able to work in a mission critical on-call environment

  • Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

  • Strong communication and collaboration abilities.

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

  • Detail-oriented with a focus on continuous improvement.

  • Excellent language skills in English - oral and written

Bonus experience:

  • Experience with Fortinet Cloud products

  • CKA, CKAD and CKS certificate

  • Other certifications of Cloud platform and networking

Educational Requirement:

  • Bachelor degree or above in Computer Science, Computer Technology, or related field.

About Our Team:

Join our team, known for its collaborative ethos, working seamlessly with global customers, internal engineering teams and product development groups. Our team culture emphasizes continuous learning, innovation, and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. We embrace Fortinet's core values of openness, teamwork and innovation, fostering an environment where team members support each other, share knowledge, and leverage AI to solve complex technical challenges. Our inclusive and dynamic team thrives on collaboration and is driven by the shared goal of maintaining Fortinet's high standards of excellence in cybersecurity solutions.

Why Join Us:

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply. We offer a supportive work environment and a competitive Total Rewards package to support you with your overall health and financial well-being. Embark on a challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding career journey with Fortinet. Join us in bringing solutions that make a meaningful and lasting impact to our 660,000+ customers around the globe.