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Principal Network Engineer Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

... network topology, attack path tooling, asset inventories, software bills of materials (SBOMs ... engineering at a senior or principal level. * Hands-on experience developing AI-agentic workflows ...

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Principal Forward Deployed Engineer Location: Remote Compensation: $172,000 - $250,000 Employment ... network topology, attack path tooling, asset inventories, software bills of materials (SBOMs ...

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Principal Network Engineer information

See Florida salary details

$15.7K

$99.6K

$152.8K

How much do principal network engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal network engineer in Florida is $99,572.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,400.00 and $118,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal network engineer?

Principal Network Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and managing complex network infrastructures within an organization. They lead network architecture initiatives, oversee security protocols, and ensure high availability and performance of network systems. In addition, they often mentor junior engineers, set technical standards, and collaborate with other IT teams to align network solutions with business goals. Their expertise is crucial for maintaining reliable and scalable connectivity in large enterprises.

What does a principal network engineer do?

As a principal network engineer, you are responsible for the daily operations of a computer system. Your responsibilities are to install, organize, and support systems for an organization. The systems you work with often aid a company in its communications, as with local area networks and wide area networks. Other duties include the installation of hardware, regular system maintenance, and optimization of network performance. You might also train individuals in the use of relevant software or hardware. In some cases, you might help with email and data storage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal network engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Network Engineer, you need deep expertise in network architecture, routing and switching, security protocols, and typically a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with enterprise networking hardware, software-defined networking (SDN), firewalls, and certifications such as CCNP or CCIE are essential. Outstanding problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you manage complex projects and guide technical teams. These competencies are critical to ensuring reliable, secure, and scalable network infrastructures that support organizational goals.

What are the main challenges principal network engineers face when leading large-scale network projects?

Principal Network Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating cross-functional teams, designing scalable solutions that align with business goals, and managing the integration of emerging technologies into existing infrastructure. Balancing competing priorities—like security, performance, and budget constraints—while ensuring minimal downtime is a common part of the role. Effective communication and leadership skills are essential, as Principal Network Engineers frequently serve as the technical authority and must guide both junior engineers and stakeholders through complex decisions.

What is the difference between Principal Network Engineer vs Network Architect?

AspectPrincipal Network EngineerNetwork Architect
CredentialsBS in Computer Science or related, Cisco/Juniper certificationsBS in Computer Science or related, Cisco/Juniper certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, implement, and troubleshoot network solutions within organizationsDesign overall network infrastructure and architecture for organizations
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across industries for senior technical rolesUsed in enterprise and large organizations for planning network systems
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for senior technical expertiseCompared for strategic network planning roles

The main difference is that a Principal Network Engineer focuses on implementing and troubleshooting network solutions, while a Network Architect designs the overall network architecture and strategy. Both roles require similar certifications and work in similar environments, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

How much does a principal network engineer make in the US?

A principal network engineer in the US typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and industry. They often hold advanced certifications like CCNP or CCIE and have extensive knowledge of network architecture, security, and troubleshooting tools.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Network Engineer jobs in Florida?

For Principal Network Engineer jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Network Engineer jobs in FL?

For Principal Network Engineer jobs in FL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Principal Network Engineer job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,572 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Sr Principal Software Engineer - DevOps

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU)

Melbourne, FL • On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted 10 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 543 rated manufacturers


Job description

Overview

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr Principal Software Engineer - DevOps to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located onsite in Melbourne, Florida.

Responsibilities

This is a vital position in support of critical software design and development. Candidate will be responsible for leading a diverse skillset software engineering team to refactor existing monolithic codebase into micro-service compliant architecture.

  • Design, develop, and maintain full-stack C#/.NET applications, including backend APIs and user-facing UI Blazor
  • Refactor existing monolithic codebases into micro-service architectures using domain-driven design principles
  • Implement and manage core infrastructure services (e.g., DNS, DHCP, NAS, and Active Directory)
  • Understand and troubleshoot networking fundamentals (VLANs, firewalls, routing, load-balancing) that affect service connectivity and collaborate with network engineers as needed
  • Participate in Agile ceremonies, mentor junior developers, and promote best-practice coding, DevOps and Software Engineering standards
Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and at least 8 years’ relevant experience, or STEM Master’s degree with 6 years’ relevant experience, or a STEM PhD with 4 years’ relevant experience
  • Proven experience developing software with C#/.NET Core; experience in at least one additional language (C/C++, Python, Java) is a plus
  • Hands-on experience building full-stack applications, including UI frameworks (React, Angular, Blazor) and RESTful or gRPC services
  • Proficiency with databases and APIs
  • Solid understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls, cloud networking) to diagnose connectivity issues
  • Must have an active in-scope government Secret security clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated success refactoring monolithic applications into micro-service architectures
  • DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ with CE)
  • Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments and leading sprint planning or retrospectives
  • Familiarity with development tooling such as Git, CMake, Visual Studio, and Visual Studio Code
  • Experience with performance profiling, automated testing frameworks, and security scanning tools
  • Background in hardware-software integration or rapid prototyping projects
  • Proven ability to work both independently and as a mentor/leader within a team
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Benefits

We offer flexible work arrangements, learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a collaborative team environment. Our Total Rewards Program includes a comprehensive benefits package such as health, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

Restrictions and Additional Information

Relocation assistance may be available. Clearance: Secret. Travel: Yes, up to 10% of the time.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939