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Principal Network Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Principal Network Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$139K - $251K/yr

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Principal Network Engineer in our Intelligence Sector's, Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security ...

Leidos

Principal Network Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$139K - $251K/yr

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Principal Network Engineer in our Intelligence Sector's, Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security ...

Nscale

Principal Network Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

Principal Network Engineer, AI Infrastructure & High-Performance Networking About Nscale Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI ...

Nscale

Principal Network Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

Principal Network Engineer, AI Infrastructure & High-Performance Networking About Nscale Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI ...

Roblox

Principal Network Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

As a Principal Network Engineer, you will work cross-functionally to plan the growth of Roblox's global production network to support rapid user growth. In this role, you are responsible for ...

National Grid

Principal Network Engineer

Brooklyn, NY · Hybrid

In the Principal Network Engineer role, you will lead the design, implementation, and lifecycle management of resilient, secure, and scalable WAN, LAN, WLAN, and SD-WAN network services. You will ...

Talanto

Principal Network Engineer

Morristown, NJ · On-site

$127 - $161/hr

Position Overview The Principal Network Engineer will be responsible for the design, architecture, implementation, automation, and security of the organization's enterprise network infrastructure ...

HISTOSONICS INC

Principal Network Engineer

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$150 - $185/hr

Principal Network Engineer Full Time Professional Plymouth, MN, US 10 days ago Requisition ID: 1258 Salary Range: $150,000.00 To $185,000.00 Annually HistoSonics is a commercial-stage medtech company ...

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Principal Network Engineer information

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$21K

$133.2K

$204.5K

How much do principal network engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal network engineer in the United States is $133,243.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,000.00 and $158,000.00 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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Principal Network Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Network Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,243 per year, or $64.1 per hour.

Principal Network Engineer

K2 Space Corporation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
K2 Space Corporation is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, aiming to unlock unprecedented performance levels across every orbit. The Principal Network Engineer will be responsible for defining and evolving the network architectures that support high-powered satellite operations, ensuring resilient and high-performance networking across various environments.
Responsibilities:
• Serve as the principal technical authority for enterprise networking, defining long-term network architecture and strategy aligned with business and security objectives
• Architect, design, and govern large-scale, highly available, and secure network environments across data centers, cloud, hybrid, and global WANs
• Own network reference architectures, standards, and design patterns, ensuring scalability, resiliency, performance, and operational consistency
• Lead the design and execution of complex initiatives such as data center modernization, cloud networking transformations, SD-WAN deployments, and zero-trust network architectures
• Evaluate network technologies, service providers, and vendors; make strategic recommendations on adoption, optimization, and deprecation
• Mentor senior and staff-level network engineers, raising the technical bar and building organizational depth
Qualifications:
Required:
• 8+ years of demonstrated experience in the Networking Architecture and Design, Network Implementation and Network Test Automation
• Strong foundation in IT network and systems methodology (analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, and post-implementation support)
• In-depth knowledge of networking protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, TCP/IP)
• Experience with logical design models (L2/L3, VPC, VDC, Datacenter Zones, Spanning Tree, VRF, VTP, VLANs, and cabling)
• Working technical knowledge of network control protocols (QoS, PfR, PoE, NTP, DHCP), network management protocols (CDP, FTP, TFTP, SNMP)
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, ITIL Foundations v3, etc.)
Preferred:
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in computer science or engineering
• Technical certifications (i.e., Network+, MCSE, Security+)
Company:
Making previously impossible missions possible Founded in 2022, the company is headquartered in Torrance, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.
K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022

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