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Principal Network Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Datasite

Principal AI Platform Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$117.50 - $206.70/hr

Principal AI Platform Engineer The Principal AI Platform Engineer covers enterprise-facing software ... Experience with Intune, cloud networking configuration and management, Kubernetes, Docker, and Argo ...

Leonardo DRS

Principal Software Engineer

Burnsville, MN · On-site

$139K - $186K/yr

... network and data distribution and middleware enterprise services, as well as world-class ... Job Summary As a Principal Software Engineer focused on software architecture for the Leonardo DRS ...

Prosum Inc.

Principal Linux Platform Engineer

Hamel, MN · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

Principal Linux Platform Engineer Pay Range: $70/hour to $100/hour I'm working on an exciting ... Experience with enterprise networking, storage, and Linux security * A passion for building ...

Leonardo DRS

Principal Software Engineer

Burnsville, MN · Hybrid

$139K - $186K/yr

... network and data distribution and middleware enterprise services, as well as world-class ... Job Summary As a Principal Software Engineer focused on software architecture for the Leonardo DRS ...

Leonardo DRS

Principal Software Engineer

Burnsville, MN · On-site

$139K - $186K/yr

... network and data distribution and middleware enterprise services, as well as world-class ... Job Summary As a Principal Software Engineer focused on software architecture for the Leonardo DRS ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPrincipal Network Engineer JobsPrincipal Network Engineer Jobs in Minnesota

Principal Network Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$20.6K

$130.5K

$200.3K

How much do principal network engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal network engineer in Minnesota is $130,500.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,600.00 and $154,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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.

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Principal Network Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Network Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,500 per year, or $62.7 per hour.

Principal AI Platform Engineer

Datasite

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$117.50 - $206.70/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Principal AI Platform Engineer

The Principal AI Platform Engineer covers enterprise-facing software development, DevOps, deployment, observability, and security. The role includes senior escalation responsibilities and code review. Technologies used include Postgres, Kubernetes, Docker, Argo, GitHub, and continuous delivery into zero‑downtime environments. The engineer participates in the on‑call rotation providing 24/7 coverage.

Responsibilities
  • Use AI and agent workflows to build and operate the platforms the company runs on, including work that previously required a larger team.
  • Use AI as the cornerstone of all software development work including code creation, test engineering (unit and integration), performance tuning and optimization, deployment, and functional monitoring.
  • Set standards and review processes for AI‑generated code so that what ships is safe to deploy.
  • Use infrastructure‑as‑code to automate provisioning, configuration, identity, and recovery for the enterprise cloud platform.
  • Build infrastructure to house internal applications and production‑quality datasets.
  • Secure and control access using SSO via Entra permissions, groups, and app registrations.
  • Accelerate and facilitate the deployment of the vision of SME AI developed applications and workflows.
  • Own resiliency for critical systems; prevent outages where possible and shorten the ones that happen.
  • Work with architects and engineers to build security into the delivery pipeline.
  • Act as a senior escalation path.
  • Document the work, review code, and cross‑train other engineers.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in IT or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Operating production Linux (Ubuntu), Windows, and Mac across servers, workstations, and mobile, through scripting and automated configuration management.
  • Substantial professional experience in planning, performance, monitoring, management, and cloud computing design.
  • Hands‑on cloud experience deploying IaaS and/or PaaS systems in Azure through automation.
  • Working proficiency in several programming and scripting languages.
  • Working knowledge of CIS security best practices.
  • Experience with enterprise networks.
  • Experience reducing and eliminating technical debt.
  • Business continuity / disaster recovery practices.
  • Experience with Intune, cloud networking configuration and management, Kubernetes, Docker, and Argo for delivery.
  • Experience with Azure (NSG, subnets, express routes, firewalls, peering), AWS, and GCP.
  • Experience with Prometheus, Grafana, and Instana for observability.
  • Experience with Terraform, Bicep, and Ansible for infrastructure‑as‑code.
  • Experience with Entra and Sentinel for identity and security.
  • Experience with GitHub, JIRA, and Confluence for development workflow.
  • JAMF experience a plus.
Work Location & Flexibility

This position can be located remotely. If the candidate is based in Minneapolis or New York City, the office follows a hybrid work model. Employees in these locations are expected to work on‑site a minimum of two days per week.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary range: $117,500.00 – $206,700.00. The compensation offer may vary based on geographic region, skills, qualifications, and experience. The position may be eligible for bonuses, commissions, or overtime if applicable. Benefits include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a retirement savings plan, paid time off, and other employee benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our company is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where all individuals are respected and valued. We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

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