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Principal Network Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

LexisNexis

Principal AWS Cloud Engineer-2

Raleigh, NC · On-site +1

As a Consulting Principal AWS Cloud Engineer, you will design, build, and guide secure, scalable ... Solid understanding of AWS networking concepts, including VPC design, subnets, routing, security ...

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Principal Network Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$20.4K

$129.5K

$198.8K

How much do principal network engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal network engineer in Raleigh, NC is $129,516.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,700.00 and $153,600.00 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.
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What job categories do people searching Principal Network Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Network Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

Principal Network Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Network Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,516 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

IT Security Principal Engineer -NATIONWIDE_

GlobalXperts

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$120 - $140/hr

Other

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

IT Security Principal Engineer -NATIONWIDE_

Contract

GlobalXperts is a leading IT Solution Provider whose business focus is to provide Day 2 remote monitoring & co-managed support and professional services for advanced Cisco, Microsoft and Data Center solutions. Our Level 1 through Level 3 networking experts (CCNA through CCIE) are available around-the-clock and have a deep understanding of internetworking technologies (Collaboration, Data Center, Borderless networking, Security) and products from leading equipment manufacturers giving you access to multi-technology support from a single source. Our professional services approach track with Cisco's PPDIOO model which is to prepare, plan, design, implement, operate, and optimize. And, while each phase of the service delivery model is strategically designed to build upon the previous phase, GlobalXperts technical staff has been successfully utilized by our customers for any or all phases.

The IT Security Principal Engineer will deliver security technical consulting to internal organizations and Information Technology Services (ITS). The IT Security Principal Engineer will evaluate needs of key stakeholders to find solutions to challenging situations. Primary areas of expertise are IT infrastructure and information security compliance (HIPAA, SOX, PCI, Penetration Testing, etc.).

Responsibilities
  • Drive SDL across ITS and business segments, for internal and externally facing applications, including Ecommerce sites, Mobility (Android, Apple IOS), and legacy applications
  • Source code analysis and remediation using Fortify; Network security assessments and analysis for corporate and non-corporate network environments
  • Firewall policy evaluation, review, and design
  • Ensure compliance across applications and networks for PCI, HIPAA, and SOX
  • Provide training and guidance for security including Threat Modeling, Penetration Testing, SDL, and Code Security Reviews
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required, preferably in computer science or information systems
  • 5+ years of experience leading penetration testing, application testing, and red team engagements
  • 10+ years of Information Technology, with a background in Security and Compliance experience
Additional Requirements
  • Experience with security tools such as – Nmap, Metasploit, Kali Linux, Burp Suite Pro, etc., as well as other various commercial and self-developed testing tools
  • Experience with scripting languages such as python, ruby, POSIX shell, as well as familiarity with programming languages such as C/C++/ObjC/C#, Java, PHP, or .NET
  • Understanding of:
    • Web protocols (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, and SOAP)
    • Web technologies (e.g., HTML, JavaScript, XML, AJAX, JSON, and REST)
  • Experience with WLAN security concepts and testing
  • Strong technical communication skills, both written and verbal; ability to explain technical security concepts to executive stakeholders in business language
  • While experience in a number of IT disciplines may provide a solid framework for this position, hands-on results from performing IT risk assessments, information security consulting or IT audits are most beneficial
  • Experience in the following regulations and Frameworks: PCI, ISO 27001/2, HIPAA, GLBA, NIST

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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