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Principal Network Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Oracle

Principal Network Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

A Principal Network Engineer on our team supports the design, deployment, and operations of a large-scale global Oracle cloud computing environment (Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - OCI). Primarily ...

K2 Space

Principal Network Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$155K - $185K/yr

Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and ... Serve as the principal technical authority for enterprise networking, defining long-term network ...

K2 Space

Principal Network Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$155K - $185K/yr

Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and ... Serve as the principal technical authority for enterprise networking, defining long-term network ...

Apex Systems

Sr Principal Network Engineer

Aurora, CO · On-site

$75 - $140/hr

Job#: 3034514 Sr Principal Network Engineer Location: Aurora, Colorado (Onsite) Employment Type: Contract Candidates must have an active Department of Defense --TS/SCI with an adjudicated full-scope ...

Oracle

Principal Network Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

A Principal Network Engineer on our team supports the design, deployment, and operations of a large-scale global Oracle cloud computing environment (Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - OCI). Primarily ...

Oracle

Principal Network Engineer

Seattle, WA

A Principal Network Engineer on our team supports the design, deployment, and operations of a large-scale global Oracle cloud computing environment (Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - OCI). Primarily ...

Oracle

Principal Network Engineer

Seattle, WA

A Principal Network Engineer on our team supports the design, deployment, and operations of a large-scale global Oracle cloud computing environment (Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - OCI). Primarily ...

Oracle

Principal Network Engineer

Seattle, WA

A Principal Network Engineer on our team supports the design, deployment, and operations of a large-scale global Oracle cloud computing environment (Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - OCI). Primarily ...

Oracle

Principal Network Engineer

Seattle, WA

A Principal Network Engineer on our team supports the design, deployment, and operations of a large-scale global Oracle cloud computing environment (Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - OCI). Primarily ...

Graphcore

Senior Principal Network Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

Job Summary We are seeking a Senior Principal Network Engineer to help design, deploy, and optimize next-generation AI data center networks. AI training and inference workloads require extremely high ...

Graphcore

Principal Network Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

Bachelor's, master's degree or equivalent experience in Network Engineering/Security, Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer engineering, or a related field. * 9+ years of hands-on ...

Kion Group AG

Principal Network Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$136K - $205K/yr

Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor's or advanced degree in Information Technology, Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline; advanced technical certifications or ...

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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 Jun 13, 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 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 are Principal Network Engineers?

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 the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Locum Tenens, 83% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,243 per year, or $64.1 per hour.
Principal Network Engineer (Starlink Ground Network)

Principal Network Engineer (Starlink Ground Network)

SpaceX

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$200K - $285K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 60 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
PRINCIPAL NETWORK ENGINEER (STARLINK GROUND NETWORK)
At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to 7M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink's utility for communities and businesses around the globe.
As a Principal Network Engineer, you will drive the operation, build, and deployment of our network around the world. You will be a key component in managing and expanding our global footprint, improving network performance and reliability, and optimizing our deployments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Manage and expand network interconnections, network co-location sites and points of presence (POPs)
  • Improve network performance and reliability based upon system performance metrics, including capacity planning, failure detection and remediation
  • Assist in capacity augmentation and network optimization deployments
  • Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts for the largest and most strategic Starlink customers
  • Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineers to create or improve Starlink products.
  • Support sales teams with technical pre-sales support during the sales cycle by acting as the Starlink technical subject matter expert.
  • Assist in updating system configuration and firmware
  • Automation for network devices, operational and deployment tools
  • Assist in architecting how Starlink satellite assets will integrate with more traditional ground networks
  • Mentor and train junior network engineers

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering discipline; OR 2+ years of professional networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud & web-scale networks in lieu of a degree
  • 7+ year of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud & web-scale networks (Internship/Co-op experience recognized)
  • Layer-1 experience (Example: transport, DWDM, optical fiber, circuit troubleshooting, activations, etc.)
  • Experience with the deployment of networking hardware (Routers, Modems, Switch, Firewalls, etc..)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree in a technical or engineering discipline
  • Experience bringing up switches, routers, firewalls & servers
  • Operational experience in a Linux production environment
  • Experience with Python and/or bash scripting
  • Routing Protocol experience
  • Experience with physical troubleshooting of fiber & circuits
  • Deep understanding of service provider networks including but not limited to:
    • Connectivity (Ethernet, IPv4, IPv6 and MPLS)
    • Routing (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS)
    • Switching and routing
    • Internet services (subscriber provisioning, BRAS, DNS, DHCP, NTP)
  • Strong familiarity with network health monitoring systems such as Observium, Solarwinds or Nagios
  • Experience with hands-on experience bringing up network infrastructure
  • Experience creating documentation and procedures
  • Ability to run projects independently
  • Experience working on wireless networks
  • Experience working on software defined networking (SDN) and/or network function virtualization (NFV)
  • Cisco, Juniper, Arista or other industry certification

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be willing to do some travel domestically and globally when needed (primarily for POP deployments & build out)
  • Must be available for on-call rotations
  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Network Engineer/Principal: $200,000.00 - $285,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k)-retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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