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Principal Reliability Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Labcorp

Principal Reliability Engineer

Burlington, NC · On-site

$85K - $107K/yr

Principal Reliability Engineer Burlington, NC, Indianapolis IN or Durham, NC The Principal Reliability Engineer is the organization's highest-level technical authority within a defined engineering ...

Labcorp

Principal Reliability Engineer

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$98K - $123K/yr

Principal Reliability Engineer Burlington, NC, Indianapolis IN or Durham, NC The Principal Reliability Engineer is the organization's highestlevel technical authority within a defined engineering ...

Labcorp

Principal Reliability Engineer

Burlington, NC · On-site

$85K - $107K/yr

Principal Reliability Engineer Burlington, NC, Indianapolis IN or Durham, NC The Principal Reliability Engineer is the organization's highestlevel technical authority within a defined engineering ...

Hp

Principal Reliability Engineer

Spring, TX

$91K - $114K/yr

Principal Reliability Engineer Description - At HP, quality & reliability are part of the HP Way and our promise to our customers, partners, and stakeholders. As part of our journey to lead the ...

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All JobsPrincipal Reliability Engineer Jobs

Principal Reliability Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal reliability engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal reliability 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Reliability Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Reliability Engineer, you need deep expertise in reliability engineering principles, statistical analysis, and a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with reliability modeling software (such as ReliaSoft), FMEA/FMECA tools, root cause analysis methodologies, and relevant industry certifications like CRE (Certified Reliability Engineer) is typically required. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help drive cross-functional initiatives and mentor junior engineers. These skills ensure the development and maintenance of high-quality, dependable systems, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency.

How does a Principal Reliability Engineer typically contribute to cross-functional teams, and what collaboration challenges might arise?

As a Principal Reliability Engineer, you play a pivotal role in partnering with design, operations, and maintenance teams to ensure system reliability from concept through deployment. You’ll often lead failure analysis reviews, set reliability goals, and guide best practices across departments. Challenges can include aligning different teams’ priorities, communicating complex technical concepts to non-engineers, and driving consensus on design or process changes. Success in this role depends on strong communication skills and the ability to foster a collaborative, solutions-focused environment.

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

AspectPrincipal Reliability EngineerReliability Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering, certifications like CRE or Six SigmaSimilar educational background, often with certifications in reliability or quality
Work EnvironmentLeads reliability strategies across projects, often in senior or lead rolesFocuses on analyzing data, testing, and improving product reliability
Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and tech industriesCommonly found in similar industries, supporting reliability initiatives
Search & ComparisonOften compared for seniority and scope of responsibilityCompared for technical expertise and hands-on reliability work

The Principal Reliability Engineer typically oversees reliability strategies and leads teams, while the Reliability Engineer focuses on technical analysis and implementation. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in industries prioritizing product and system dependability.

What is a Principal Reliability Engineer?

A Principal Reliability Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for ensuring that systems, products, or processes are dependable and function reliably over time. They use their expertise to identify potential points of failure, implement preventive maintenance strategies, and analyze data to improve system performance. Principal Reliability Engineers often lead teams, develop reliability policies, and work closely with other engineering disciplines to enhance product quality and reduce downtime. Their work is critical in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and technology. They typically possess extensive experience in reliability engineering and advanced problem-solving skills.
More about Principal Reliability Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Reliability Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Reliability Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Principal Reliability Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Reliability Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Principal Reliability Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Reliability Engineer jobs are:
Principal Reliability Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Reliability Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Principal Reliability Engineer

Principal Reliability Engineer

Labcorp

Burlington, NC • On-site

$85K - $107K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Labcorp rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 1,122 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 105 rated laboratories

Job description

Labcorp is a leader in diagnostics, drug development and healthcare innovation. Across every role, we harness data and AI to work smarter, move faster and create breakthrough solutions that improve health outcomes for people. With our global scale and deep expertise, you'll do meaningful work, grow your career and make a real impact. Together, we're improving health and improving lives.
Principal Reliability Engineer
Burlington, NC, Indianapolis IN or Durham, NC
The Principal Reliability Engineer is the organization's highest-level technical authority within a defined engineering discipline, responsible for setting enterprise reliability strategy and advancing asset performance across a complex global facilities portfolio. This senior individual contributor leads high-impact capital and infrastructure initiatives, ensuring systems are engineered, constructed, and maintained for maximum reliability, operational efficiency, and optimized lifecycle cost. The role partners closely with senior leadership to standardize practices and strengthen a culture of reliability across all facility types.
Job Responsibilities
Reliability Engineering & Strategy
  • Define and implement enterprise reliability strategies to improve system performance and asset lifecycle outcomes.
  • Conduct advanced failure analysis and root cause investigations; implement corrective and preventive actions.
  • Establish asset reliability frameworks, maintenance strategies, and performance metrics.
  • Lead efforts to reduce downtime, improve uptime, and optimize lifecycle costs.
  • Perform audits and assessments to ensure adherence to reliability standards.
Project Engineering Leadership
  • Serve as the technical lead on engineering and capital projects from concept through commissioning.
  • Manage engineering design, installation, and project execution activities to ensure delivery on time and within budget.
  • Coordinate with contractors, suppliers, designers, and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless project delivery.
  • Support a project portfolio totaling approximately $5M-$25M annually across 100 or more projects of varying complexity.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, safety, and engineering standards.
Engineering Standards & Governance
  • Develop, implement, and maintain global engineering design standards and procedures to ensure consistency and quality.
  • Establish and harmonize project execution standards, documentation, and processes across regions.
  • Provide technical oversight and governance for design reviews and system implementations.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to engineering practices.
Subject Matter Expertise
  • Function as the enterprise subject matter expert for a specific engineering discipline (e.g., Electrical, HVAC, Mechanical, Automation & Instrumentation).
  • Provide expert guidance on design, construction, commissioning, and operational performance.
  • Support complex troubleshooting and resolution of critical system issues.
  • Influence standards, specifications, and long-term engineering strategy within the discipline.
Leadership & Collaboration
  • Partner with senior leadership in Capital, Engineering, Construction, and Facilities to plan and execute prioritized initiatives.
  • Mentor and guide engineers and technical teams to build organizational capability.
  • Serve as a liaison between internal clients and external partners to ensure alignment and execution excellence.
  • Drive a culture of reliability, continuous improvement, and engineering excellence across the organization.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or related field); 5 or more years of applicable professional experience in engineering may be used in lieu of degree.
  • 10 or more years of progressive experience in project engineering, reliability engineering, or facilities engineering.
  • 5 or more years of experience leading complex, multi-site, or high-impact facility projects.
  • 5 or more years of experience with CMMS, predictive maintenance technologies, and reliability analytics.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license.
  • Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP).
  • Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • 5 or more years of experience in asset-intensive or regulated environments (e.g., healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing).

Additional Job Standards
  • Advanced technical expertise in at least one engineering discipline (Electrical, HVAC, Mechanical, Automation & Instrumentation).
  • Strong project management and execution capabilities.
  • Strategic thinking with the ability to translate business needs into engineering solutions.
  • Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, including root cause analysis.
  • Ability to influence without authority and operate as a principal-level individual contributor.
  • Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Continuous improvement and standardization mindset.
  • Up to 25% travel.
  • Comfortable working in and around vivarium's.

Benefits: Employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(k), Paid Time Off (PTO) or Flexible Time Off (FTO), Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Employees regularly scheduled to work less than 20 hours, Casual, Intern, and Temporary employees are only eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Employees who are regularly scheduled to work a 7 on/7 off schedule are eligible to receive all the foregoing benefits except PTO or FTO. For more detailed information, please click here
Labcorp is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:
Labcorp strives for inclusion and belonging in the workforce and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We make employment decisions based on the needs of our business and the qualifications and merit of the individual. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), family or parental status, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, personal appearance, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. Additionally, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law.
We encourage all to apply
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