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Principal Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Veem

Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

Principal Engineer Location: Toronto (preferred), Ottawa, California About Veem Veem is building the future of global payments infrastructure. We are transforming how businesses move money ...

Outcode Software

Principal Engineer

Draper, UT

The Principal Engineer at Outcode Software plays a critical leadership role in shaping and maintaining the technical direction across all engineering teams. This position requires a Deep expertise in ...

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KeHE Distributors, LLC

Engineer, Principal

Naperville, IL

$108K - $159K/yr

Responsibilities The Principal DEA Engineer serves as a technical leader, architecting complex systems and setting engineering standards that enable product teams to deliver scalable, reliable, and ...

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How much do principal programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal programmer in the United States is $122,589.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $127,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
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Principal Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Programmer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,589 per year, or $58.9 per hour.
Principal/Senior Principal Engineer - TS/SCI Clearance

Principal/Senior Principal Engineer - TS/SCI Clearance

Rocket Lab Corporation

Long Beach, CA

$132K - $181K/yr

Other

Posted 6 days ago

Rocket Lab rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 60 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

PRINCIPAL/SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - TS/SCI CLEARANCE

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Principal/Senior Principal Engineer is responsible for overseeing our various satellite programs. You will support the Space Systems Chief Engineer, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Principal Engineer or Senior Principal Engineer level)

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

  • Provide oversight and review of spacecraft system engineering, including:
    • Requirement derivation
    • System and subsystem requirement verification techniques
    • Vehicle performance budgets
    • Test methods and data analysis
  • Simulation and analysis
  • Technical leadership in future architectures, platform, and payloads for future missions both internal and external
  • Assist or lead system and subsystem architectural developments for existing missions
  • Assist with program and product management

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
  • 12+ years of experience supporting satellite or spacecraft programs
  • Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their associated components
  • Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Experience with satellite operations

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
  • 15+ years of experience supporting satellite or spacecraft programs
  • Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their associated components
  • Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Experience with satellite operations

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • Master's or PhD in an engineering or other technical discipline
  • Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK
  • Experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies, thermal vacuum or random vibration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

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