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Principal Project Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mars

Principal Project Engineer

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

Principal Project Engineer The Principal Project Engineer will be a project manager for the larger and more complex projects executed by the Processing or Packaging team. This position will be ...

New

Mars

Principal Project Engineer

Waco, TX · On-site

Principal Project Engineer The Principal Project Engineer will be a project manager for the larger and more complex projects executed by the Processing or Packaging team. This position will be ...

Mars

Principal Project Engineer

Jackson, TN · On-site

Principal Project Engineer The Principal Project Engineer will be a project manager for the larger and more complex projects executed by the Processing or Packaging team. This position will be ...

Mars

Principal Project Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Principal Project Engineer The Principal Project Engineer will be a project manager for the larger and more complex projects executed by the Processing or Packaging team. This position will be ...

New

Doist

$125 - $160/hr

Principal Project Engineer Full Time San Diego,CA Salary Range: $125,000.00 To $160,000.00 Annually As a Principal Project Engineer/Manager in San Diego, CA you will have an opportunity to work with ...

New

Doist

Principal Project Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$125 - $160/hr

Principal Project Engineer Full Time San Diego,CA Salary Range: $125,000.00 To $160,000.00 Annually As a Principal Project Engineer/Manager in San Diego, CA you will have an opportunity to work with ...

New

Raymond West

Principal Project Engineer

Cypress, CA · On-site

The Principal Project Engineer will support the development of complex integrated solution proposals in the capacity of Subject Matter Expert through award, execution, and after installation ...

Parsons

Principal Project Engineer

$125K - $225K/yr

Principal Project Engineer - Hydrology & Drainage - Transportation Infrastructure Our Parsons Seattle office is seeking to hire a highly experienced Principal Project Engineer to provide leadership ...

Parsons Corporation

Principal Project Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$125K - $225K/yr

Principal Project Engineer - Hydrology & Drainage - Transportation Infrastructure Our Parsons Seattle office is seeking to hire a highly experienced Principal Project Engineer to provide leadership ...

Parsons

Principal Project Engineer

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$125K - $225K/yr

Principal Project Engineer - Hydrology & Drainage - Transportation Infrastructure Our Parsons Seattle office is seeking to hire a highly experienced Principal Project Engineer to provide leadership ...

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Principal Project Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal project engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal project engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a principal project engineer typically interact with cross-functional teams during a project's lifecycle?

A Principal Project Engineer plays a central role in coordinating efforts across various departments, such as design, manufacturing, quality assurance, and procurement. They lead technical discussions, ensure alignment on project goals, and resolve cross-functional challenges to keep the project on track. Effective communication, stakeholder management, and the ability to translate technical requirements between teams are crucial for success in this role. Regular meetings, progress updates, and collaborative problem-solving sessions are common aspects of their daily responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal project engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Project Engineer, you need deep expertise in engineering principles, project management, and typically a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering with several years of relevant experience. Proficiency with project management software (such as MS Project or Primavera), CAD tools, and relevant industry certifications (like PMP or PE licensure) is often required. Leadership, problem-solving, and excellent communication skills help drive cross-functional teams and stakeholder alignment. These abilities are crucial for delivering complex projects on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

What is the difference between Principal Project Engineer vs Project Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Project EngineerProject Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering and extensive experience; often professional engineer (PE) licenseBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentLeads large projects, oversees teams, and coordinates with stakeholdersSupports project tasks, manages specific project segments, reports to senior engineers
Industry UsageCommon in construction, oil & gas, and infrastructure sectorsUsed across various engineering fields for project execution

The Principal Project Engineer holds a senior leadership role, overseeing entire projects and teams, while the Project Engineer focuses on specific project tasks and supports project management. Both roles require engineering credentials, but the Principal Project Engineer typically has more experience and responsibilities.

What is a principal project engineer?

Principal Project Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for leading and managing complex engineering projects from conception to completion. They oversee project teams, coordinate resources, ensure adherence to technical standards, and communicate with stakeholders to deliver projects on time and within budget. Their role often involves high-level decision-making, risk management, and providing technical guidance to other engineers. Additionally, they may help set project strategies and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

What cities are hiring for Principal Project Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Principal Project Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Principal Project Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Principal Project Engineer jobs include:

Principal Project Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Project Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Project Engineer

Mars

Kalamazoo, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Mars Inc. rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

125th of 438 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Job Description:

Principal Project Engineer

The Principal Project Engineer will be a project manager for the larger and more complex projects executed by the Processing or Packaging team. This position will be responsible for all aspects of planning and executing projects from ideation to project closure. Depending on business needs you will potentially lead projects in process areas, buildings and infrastructure, general manufacturing processes, and packaging systems. Own the overall leadership of major capital projects through the Mars Snacking Engineering Execution Standard for executional excellence in project delivery. These roles will either be based out of Waco, TX, Jackson, TN, Cary, NC or Battle Creek, MI or require significant travel to all our major sites across North America.

What are we looking for?

  • Bachelor of Science in engineering; an advanced degree in engineering, MBA or PMP certification considered a plus.

  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in a comparable technical position - food, beverage, pharmaceutical or related industry preferable.

  • In-Depth understanding of project management principles and general knowledge of engineering disciplines: Building, Infrastructure, Civil, Utilities, Process, Packaging, Electrical and Construction.

  • In-depth understanding of functional engineering area of expertise - process or packaging manufacturing in food or related industry.

  • Team skills - high performance team experience.

  • Excellent communication, listening and influencing skills.

  • Good innovation management.

  • Thrives working in ambiguous situations.

  • Ability to travel approximately 50% or more requirement depending on project demands.

What will your key responsibilities be?

  • Develop and execute projects of $50M+ that meet business objectives, while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, security and environmental standards.

  • Member of the Engineering Leadership team, focused on upskilling the process engineering team in various process technologies and project management execution.

  • Develop standards for equipment, systems and engineering processes and collaborate with other senior engineers and global technical teams.

  • Work with R&D and global technical teams to support the development of technology platforms for providing a sustained technical advantage.

  • Participate in staffing and management strategy for engineering associates that may be distributed across multiple Mars Snacking sites.

What can you expect from Mars?

  • Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

  • Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

  • A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

  • An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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