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Principal Qa Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$112 - $136/hr

The Principal Quality Assurance Engineer is a lead member of the Quality Assurance team. This individual is a technical expert and provides technical leadership for quality activities associated with ...

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Principal QA Engineer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$140K - $184K/yr

The Principal IT QA engineer will be a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for designing and developing our testing automation framework utilizing Python, Playwright, PyTest, Java or TestNG.

Principal QA Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$140K - $184K/yr

The Principal IT QA engineer will be a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for designing and developing our testing automation framework utilizing Python, Playwright, PyTest, Java or TestNG.

Principal QA Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$140K - $184K/yr

The Principal IT QA engineer will be a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for designing and developing our testing automation framework utilizing Python, Playwright, PyTest, Java or TestNG.

Principal QA Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$140K - $184K/yr

The Principal IT QA engineer will be a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for designing and developing our testing automation framework utilizing Python, Playwright, PyTest, Java or TestNG.

Senior Principal Quality Assurance Engineer** to lead key elements of our enterprise Quality Management System (QMS) and drive continuous improvement across global operations. This role serves as the ...

Principal QAE

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

$112K - $136K/yr

Principal Quality Assurance Engineer, Medical Devices QAE Charlottesville, VA 22911 - Hybrid Lead Quality. Solve Complex Problems. Shape Better Medical Devices. We're seeking a Principal Quality ...

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FormFactor is seeking a Senior Principal Quality Assurance Engineer to lead key elements of our enterprise Quality Management System (QMS) and drive continuous improvement across global operations.

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Showing results 1-20

Principal Qa Engineer information

See salary details

$64.5K

$125.5K

$171K

How much do principal qa engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal qa engineer in the United States is $125,478.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal QA engineer?

Principal QA Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for overseeing and improving the quality assurance processes within a company. They design and implement testing strategies, mentor QA teams, and ensure that software products meet high standards of quality and reliability. Principal QA Engineers often collaborate with developers, product managers, and stakeholders to define quality goals and address complex technical challenges. Their role is crucial in guiding the direction of QA practices and adopting new tools or methodologies to enhance product quality.

What does a principal QA engineer do?

A Principal QA Engineer plays a crucial role in collaborating with development, product management, and operations teams to ensure quality standards are maintained throughout the software development lifecycle. They often lead the design and implementation of test strategies, facilitate communication between stakeholders, and mentor junior QA members. Their expertise helps teams proactively identify potential issues and streamline testing processes, which results in more robust and reliable product releases.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal QA engineer?

To thrive as a Principal QA Engineer, you need deep expertise in software testing methodologies, automation frameworks, and quality assurance best practices, often supported by a relevant degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, Jenkins, JIRA, and scripting languages, as well as certifications such as ISTQB, is highly valued. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills set standout candidates apart, enabling effective guidance of QA teams and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders. These skills ensure robust product quality, efficient testing processes, and successful delivery of reliable software solutions.

What is the difference between Principal Qa Engineer vs Senior Qa Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Qa EngineerSenior Qa Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Computer Science or related field, certifications like ISTQBBachelor's in Computer Science or related, some certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentLeads testing strategies, mentors teams, collaborates with cross-functional teamsPerforms testing, develops test cases, reports bugs, supports QA team
Industry UsageUsed in large organizations, enterprise software, and complex projectsCommon in various companies, from startups to large firms
Comparison FocusStrategic leadership, process improvement, mentorshipHands-on testing, execution, reporting

The Principal Qa Engineer typically holds a more strategic and leadership-oriented role, overseeing testing processes and mentoring teams, while the Senior Qa Engineer focuses on executing tests and reporting issues. Both roles require strong testing skills and industry experience, but the Principal position emphasizes leadership and process improvement.

More about Principal Qa Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Principal Qa Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Principal Qa Engineer job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Principal Qa Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Principal Qa Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Principal Qa Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Principal Qa Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,478 per year, or $60.3 per hour.

Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

Motion Recruitment

Boston, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

This client is looking for a Principal Quality Assurance Engineer based in Boston, MA with a requirement of 4 days onsite. This company is a leading insurance organization that focuses on software solutions that support financial systems. This is a full-time position.
You will lead globally distributed QA teams and define how testing is executed across fast-moving releases. The focus is on building strong automation foundations, increasing test coverage through modern frameworks, and introducing AI-assisted quality engineering practices.
Required Skills & Experience
  • 10 + years in Quality Assurance and test engineering teams
  •  Deep experience managing offshore engineering groups
  • Strong hands-on expertise in Java
  • Practical use of Gherkin and BDD when implementing systems
  • Experience integrating AI tools to test workflows
Desired Skills & Experience
  • Background knowledge of financial, healthcare, and insurance companies’ regulations and rules.
  • Experience supporting financial services, trading, or market data platforms
  • Strong understanding of high-performance, low-latency systems
  • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance-driven testing environments

What You Will Be Doing
Tech Breakdown
  • 35% QA strategy, team leadership, and offshore coordination
  • 30% test automation using Java-based BDD frameworks
  • 20% AI-driven testing tools and automation optimization
  • 15% CI/CD integration, and pipeline support
Daily Responsibilities
  • 10% Hands On
  • 65% Management Duties
  • 25% Team Collaboration