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How much do principal research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal research 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 is a principal research engineer?

Principal Research Engineers are senior-level professionals who lead and oversee advanced research and development projects within an organization, often bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical engineering solutions. They design experiments, develop innovative technologies, and guide research teams, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with business goals. These engineers typically have extensive experience, deep expertise in their field, and play a key role in setting research direction and strategy.

How does a principal research engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within an organization?

Principal Research Engineers often work closely with diverse teams such as product management, software engineering, and data science to drive innovation from concept to implementation. They contribute their technical expertise to guide research initiatives, align project goals, and ensure that solutions are both technically sound and practically viable. This collaboration involves regular meetings, technical presentations, and joint problem-solving sessions to address complex challenges and integrate research outcomes into products or services. Effective communication and leadership are key, as Principal Research Engineers often mentor junior staff and help bridge the gap between research and development.

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

To thrive as a Principal Research Engineer, you need deep expertise in engineering principles, advanced research methodologies, and typically a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with simulation software, programming languages, data analytics tools, and sometimes patents or published research are common technical requirements. Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you guide teams and translate complex findings into actionable solutions. These skills ensure innovative project outcomes, effective collaboration, and the ability to drive technical advancements within the organization.

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

AspectPrincipal Research EngineerSenior Research Engineer
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD or Master’s), extensive research experienceTypically a Master’s or PhD, solid research background
Work EnvironmentLeads research projects, mentors teams, influences strategyConducts research, supports project teams, implements solutions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech, R&D labs, large corporationsCommon in tech, manufacturing, and R&D sectors

Principal Research Engineers focus on leading research initiatives and strategic innovation, often mentoring teams and shaping research directions. Senior Research Engineers primarily execute research tasks, support project goals, and contribute technical expertise. Both roles require strong research credentials, but Principal Research Engineers hold more leadership responsibilities and influence within organizations.

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Principal Research Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Research Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal R&D Engineer

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Silvus Technologies
Wireless Telecommunications Carriers • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Silvus Technologiesexternal

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Silvus is seeking a Principal R&D Engineer who will report to the Vice President of Research & Development on the R&D team.  The successful individual in this role will oversee and participate in the planning, design, implementation, prototyping, and verification of wireless technology projects.

This position is based at Silvus Technologies' headquarters in the heart of vibrant West Los Angeles, CA, and is on a hybrid schedule.  A minimum of 3 days onsite per week is expected. On-site days are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

The following is a list of at least some of the current essential job functions of the position. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time at its discretion.

 ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Technical management of Research and Development projects and programs to include:
    • Responsibility for overall system design and requirement specification.
    • Setting and tracking development schedules and tasks.
    • Participating in the hands-on design, simulation, and verification work.
    • Overseeing relevant simulation, software, FPGA, and testing efforts.
    • Customer-facing engagement and technical material preparation when needed.
    • Reporting to management, as required for strategic planning and assessment.
  • Participate in Research and Development business development and capture efforts to include:
    • Whitepaper and proposal preparation.
    • Understand current technology and pitch future enhancements and strategies.
    • Communicate (telephone/email/in-person) engagement with government and industry.
  • Work collaboratively within the senior Research and Development team on the following:
    • Executing larger, team-wide projects.
    • Setting a comprehensive team-wide technology portfolio and pipeline.
    • Perform other related duties of which the above represent.
  • Supervisory/Management Responsibilities
    • Supervise a team of engineers to fulfill functions or project needs.
    • Participate in the drafting of job descriptions and screening/ interviewing engineering candidates.
  • Travel Requirements - Infrequent travel to support customer interactions or test and demonstration events

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • MS. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related communication and/or engineering technology field (i.e., wireless communications, signal processing, networking, RF design, etc.).
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in the design and development of wireless systems.
  • 5 years of demonstrated experience in technical project leadership (i.e., principal investigator).
  • Participation in the complete technology development cycle: design to field testing.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen due to clients under U.S. government contracts.
  • All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background check.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Simulation and prototyping software: C/C++, MATLAB, Python, etc.
  • Radio frequency propagation, channel modeling, digital communication.
  • Wireless ad-hoc mesh networking, medium access, and routing algorithms.
  • Signal processing algorithms, MIMO, OFDM, beam-nulling, etc.
  • Cognitive radio congested and contested spectrum, interference mitigation.
  • Radio frequency sensing, signal detection, classification, etc.
  • Technical writing, proposal preparation, and technical presentation.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Office environment.
  • Occasional exposure to heat, cold, and allergens while performing tests or demonstrations in the field.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to do the following:
    • Lift equipment up to 20 lbs. for the set-up of demonstrations and testing.
    • Perform bending and reaching movements to place items on lower and higher shelves.
    • Kneeling or squatting to access lower shelves.
    • Walking/Moving in the labs

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