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Principal Lead Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Hopkins, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a senior engineer, sector leader or principal of the firm. Additional responsibilities include general marketing of the firm and various business development ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a senior engineer, sector leader or principal of the firm. Additional responsibilities include general marketing of the firm and various business development ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Fargo, ND · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Bismarck, ND · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Detroit Lakes, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Detroit Lakes, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Minnetonka, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Hopkins, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Bismarck, ND · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Fargo, ND · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Dickinson, ND · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Fargo, ND · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a senior engineer, sector leader or principal of the firm. Additional responsibilities may include general marketing of the firm and various business development ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a senior engineer, sector leader or principal of the firm. Additional responsibilities may include general marketing of the firm and various business development ...

Apex Engineering Group

Lead Engineer

Dickinson, ND · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Lead Engineers typically report to a sector leader or principal of the firm. The opportunity for advancement in the company exists as success is demonstrated with managing projects and various ...

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All JobsPrincipal Lead Engineer Jobs

Principal Lead Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal lead engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal lead 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 Lead Engineer?

A Principal Lead Engineer is a senior-level engineering professional responsible for leading complex technical projects and providing strategic direction within an organization. They typically oversee engineering teams, set technical standards, mentor other engineers, and ensure that projects align with business goals. Principal Lead Engineers often collaborate with stakeholders across departments, contribute to architectural decisions, and play a key role in innovation and problem-solving. Their expertise is critical in driving technical excellence and delivering high-impact solutions.

What engineers make $500,000?

Principal Lead Engineers in technology and engineering fields can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in systems design, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in high-growth companies or executive-level roles.

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

To excel as a Principal Lead Engineer, you need deep expertise in engineering principles, systems architecture, and extensive experience in technical leadership, typically backed by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency in design and development tools, project management software, and industry-standard certifications such as PMP or specific technical credentials is often required. Exceptional communication, mentorship, and problem-solving skills set top candidates apart in leading teams and driving innovation. These abilities are crucial for delivering complex projects efficiently, ensuring technical excellence, and fostering high-performing engineering teams.

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

Principal Lead Engineers in electrical engineering can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles in high-paying industries like aerospace, defense, or energy. Such salaries are typically achieved through senior positions, bonuses, and stock options in large organizations. Entry-level or mid-career electrical engineers usually earn significantly less than this amount.

What is the highest salary for a principal engineer?

The highest salaries for principal engineers can exceed $200,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within large tech companies. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other benefits, reflecting experience, industry, and location.

What is the difference between Principal Lead Engineer vs Senior Lead Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Lead EngineerSenior Lead Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, extensive experience, professional certifications often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, significant experience, some certifications
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-functional projects, leadership roles, high-level technical decision-makingProject leadership, technical oversight, mentoring teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, tech, manufacturing, aerospaceCommon in mid to large companies, tech, engineering firms
Search & Comparison IntentHigh-level technical leadership, strategic influenceTechnical project leadership, team management

The Principal Lead Engineer typically holds a higher strategic and organizational role, focusing on long-term technical vision and cross-team leadership. The Senior Lead Engineer is more involved in project execution and team oversight. Both roles require extensive engineering experience, but the Principal Lead Engineer often has broader responsibilities and influence within the organization.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal Lead Engineers, especially in high-demand industries like software, aerospace, and oil and gas, can earn $300,000 or more annually with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in large tech companies or specialized engineering firms.

How does a Principal Lead Engineer balance hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities?

As a Principal Lead Engineer, you are expected to split your time between high-level technical contributions and guiding the engineering team. This often involves architecting solutions, performing code reviews, and mentoring team members, while also collaborating closely with product managers and stakeholders to align technical direction with business goals. Effective time management and strong communication skills are essential to ensure both project delivery and team development. Many Principal Leads find themselves acting as a bridge between senior management and the engineering team, facilitating efficient workflows and driving technical excellence.
More about Principal Lead Engineer jobs
What job categories do people searching Principal Lead Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Lead Engineer jobs are:
Principal Lead Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Lead Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, 48% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Senior/Principal Lead Delivery Engineer - Defense

Senior/Principal Lead Delivery Engineer - Defense

Luminary Cloud

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$142K - $197K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Full-time position | San Mateo, CA (Onsite)
Note: In accordance with export control regulations, this position requires candidates to qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)). An active or obtainable U.S. security clearance (Secret or TS/SCI) is preferred.
JOIN THE REVOLUTION IN ENGINEERING INNOVATION
Luminary helps engineering companies be more competitive by getting to market faster, creating better products, and reducing development risk. We do this through our Physics AI platform - the fastest and easiest way to build and deploy models that understand and instantly predict physical reality with precision. Our customers span industries from automotive and aerospace to defense, industrial, semiconductors, and energy - ranging from hyper-growth startups to Fortune 100 enterprises. Luminary is a Series B company headquartered in San Mateo, California.
YOUR IMPACT
As the Senior/Principal Lead Delivery Engineer for Defense, you own customer outcomes for Luminary's defense and government engagements - prime contractors, DoD agencies, defense innovation organizations, and national labs. You are a dual hat - project manager and product manager - leading a matrixed value delivery team across Applications Engineering, Applied AI/ML, Data & Platform, and product engineering. You operate fluently in environments with security, compliance, and ITAR/EAR requirements, and you partner with the GTM team on program engagement and expansion.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Own end-to-end customer outcomes across new and existing defense and government accounts - prime contractors, DoD agencies (DARPA, AFRL, NRL, Navy), and national labs - from discovery through model deployment and embedding into program workflows.
  • Author SOWs and RFP/RFI responses that navigate government contracting items - milestones, deliverables, IP, and export control - and own delivery accountability against them.
  • Lead a value delivery team in a matrix structure: Applications Engineers, Applied AI/ML Scientists, Data and Platform Engineers, and selected product engineers. Set technical direction, sequence the work, remove blockers.
  • Operate as a dual hat - project manager and product manager - running execution while shaping the product intuition for what to build next.
  • Stay hands-on-keyboard where it matters. Debug a model, restructure a data pipeline, prototype a workflow integration.
  • Embrace co-engineering: work side-by-side with customer engineers on use case development, including at customer sites where required.
  • Partner with the GTM team on new program engagement and account growth.
  • Navigate compliance: ITAR/EAR, CMMC, DFARS, and FedRAMP awareness in delivery planning and customer dialogue.
  • Bring market and customer signal back to Product and Research, shaping Luminary's roadmap for defense-specific requirements including security, compliance, and certification.

WHAT YOU BRING
  • 5-10 years of experience in a technical role in defense, government R&D, prime contractor engineering, or defense-adjacent enterprise software. Principal-level candidates have an extensive track record in defense.
  • Multi-physics fluency across defense engineering disciplines: structural mechanics, aeroelasticity, thermal-structural analysis, propulsion, signal integrity, electromagnetics, or multi-physics simulation.
  • U.S. Person required; active or obtainable Secret/TS-SCI clearance preferred.
  • Familiarity with government contracting, ITAR/EAR, and defense acquisition frameworks.
  • Strong hands-on engineering chops - Python, scripting, simulation tools, and AI/ML workflows.
  • Working knowledge of AI/ML applied to engineering - surrogate modeling, neural operators, physics-informed ML, structural digital twins.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical teams without direct authority.
  • Product instinct and customer-facing presence; comfortable with chief engineers, program managers, and government technical leadership.
  • Self-starter, persistent through iteration, willing to travel 10-25% to customer sites.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
  • Prior experience at prime contractors (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing Defense, Raytheon/RTX, General Dynamics, L3Harris) or defense labs (DARPA, AFRL, NRL, Sandia, Los Alamos).
  • Active security clearance.
  • Experience with digital twin programs for airframe, propulsion, or fleet health management applications.
  • Track record of deploying ML or simulation tooling into program environments under compliance constraints.

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