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Principal Staff Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Auria

Principal Staff Systems Engineer

Warrenton, VA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

BCubed Engineering, an Auria company, is looking to hire a Principal Staff Systems Engineer (E4). This position is hybrid (2-3 days a week) out of one of our Bcubed offices located in Warrenton, VA ...

Canopy Connect

Principal/Sr Staff Engineer

$190/hr

As a Principal/Sr Staff Engineer, you will work closely with our VP Engineering to work through our toughest engineering problems. You have: * Deep knowledge of typescript, postgres and AWS * A ...

Astronics

Principal Staff Electrical Engineer

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$132K - $161K/yr

Join the Astronics team as a Principal Staff Electrical Engineer. Job Summary: Experienced developer with proven ability to design for passing EMI/EMC tests and to troubleshoot and diagnosis EMC/EMI ...

Astronics

Principal Staff Electrical Engineer

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$132K - $161K/yr

Join the Astronics team as a Principal Staff Electrical Engineer. Job Summary: Experienced developer with proven ability to design for passing EMI/EMC tests and to troubleshoot and diagnosis EMC/EMI ...

Astronics

Principal Staff Electrical Engineer

Waukegan, IL

$132K - $161K/yr

Join the Astronics team as a Principal Staff Electrical Engineer! Job Summary: Experienced developer with proven ability to design for passing EMI/EMC tests and to troubleshoot and diagnosis EMC/EMI ...

Alliance HCM

Staff Engineer

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

Extensive experience operating as a high-level technical contributor, such as a staff engineer, principal engineer, or lead engineer * Demonstrated ability to design and guide scalable technical ...

TB&G ENGINEERING INC

Be Seen First

Staff Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Staff Engineer - Geotechnical & Materials Testing Location: Raleigh, NC with field assignments ... Collaborate with the Project Manager and Principal Engineer on project planning, scope development ...

TB&G ENGINEERING INC

Be Seen First

Staff Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Staff Engineer - Geotechnical & Materials Testing Location: Raleigh, NC with field assignments ... Collaborate with the Project Manager and Principal Engineer on project planning, scope development ...

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Principal Staff Engineer information

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How much do principal staff engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal staff 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 staff engineer?

Principal Staff Engineers are senior-level engineers who lead technical initiatives, set engineering standards, and provide expert guidance across teams or departments. They are responsible for tackling complex technical challenges, influencing architectural decisions, and mentoring other engineers. Unlike managers, they focus on technical leadership rather than people management, ensuring the organization’s technology strategy aligns with its business goals. Their role often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and maintain technical excellence.

What does a principal staff engineer do?

Principal Staff Engineers play a pivotal role in shaping the technical vision of a company by driving architectural decisions, establishing best practices, and setting long-term technology strategies. They often mentor and guide other engineers, providing technical leadership through code reviews, design discussions, and knowledge sharing. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including product managers and engineering leads, is a key part of the role, ensuring that technical solutions align with business goals and are scalable. This position provides opportunities for significant impact, but also comes with the challenge of balancing hands-on work with strategic oversight.

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

To thrive as a Principal Staff Engineer, you need deep technical expertise in your engineering domain, a proven track record of leading complex projects, and typically a relevant degree such as a BS or MS in engineering or computer science. Mastery of industry-standard tools, architectures, and platforms (such as AWS, Kubernetes, or advanced programming frameworks) is expected, along with familiarity with methodologies like Agile or DevOps and, in some fields, advanced certifications. Exceptional communication, mentorship, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills distinguish top performers in this leadership role. These skills are critical to driving technical vision, influencing organizational direction, and ensuring the success of large-scale engineering initiatives.
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Principal Staff Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Staff Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Staff Systems Engineer

Auria

Warrenton, VA • On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • Apply advanced problem-solving methodologies to architect and deliver solutions for complex systems and systems of systems.

  • Lead the technical execution of projects, ensuring engineering rigor, testing, documentation, and reliable delivery across the development lifecycle.

  • Act as a key technical contact to communicate and negotiate with external partners and customers, establishing and maintaining trusted relationships.

Job description

BCubed Engineering, an Auria company, is looking to hire a Principal Staff Systems Engineer (E4). This position is hybrid (2-3 days a week) out of one of our Bcubed offices located in Warrenton, VA or Tampa, FL.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO:
  • Systems Engineering Excellence: Apply advanced problem-solving methodologies to the most complex problem sets, architecting and delivering solutions for entire systems and systems of systems. •
  • Technical Rigor & Acumen: Lead with engineering rigor, ensuring a strict commitment to testing, repeatable processes, comprehensive documentation, and reliable delivery across the entire development lifecycle. •
  • Customer & Partner Engagement: Act as a key technical point of contact to communicate and negotiate directly with external partners (sub-contractors, vendors, prime contractors) and external customers.
  • Establish and maintain trusted partnerships with customer bases, negotiating through conflicts with transparency and integrity.
  • Effective Technical Leadership: Lead the technical execution of projects and initiatives, ensuring engineering processes are upheld. Serve as a prominent, respected mentor across the organization to develop talent and elevate the contributions of your team members.
  • End-User Focus: Design architectures and solutions that explicitly reflect the mission needs of the end-user, actively seeking out and embracing feedback with a growth mindset.
  • Innovation & IR&D: Pursue and champion innovative technologies and processes. You will have direct access to internal IR&D budgets to back novel concepts by compiling standard quad-charts for approval from the CEO.
  • Requirements & Verification: Author, trace, manage, and validate comprehensive system-level program requirements. • Technical Milestones: Lead the development and executive presentation of major engineering milestone reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR).
  • Technical Artifacts: Generate and maintain critical engineering artifacts, including Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Capability Development Documents (CDDs), Engineering Drawings, system Bill of Materials (BOMs), etc.
  • Configuration Management: Strictly adhere to and advance company Configuration Management (CM) policies to ensure rigorous version control over all system documentation.

WHAT THE TEAM REQUIRES:
  • Experience: 8-12 years of proven systems engineering experience delivering high-consequence technical solutions.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited university, or equivalent foundational knowledge gained through formal technical apprenticeships and hands-on work experience. •
  • Domain Knowledge: Expert-level engineering mastery with a recognized ability to independently lead and steer complex, large-scale systems engineering initiatives.
  • Mission Outcome Orientation: Proven track record of navigating the critical "final 10%" of a project life cycle to successfully launch highly mission-critical capabilities into polished, operational products.
  • Autonomy & Accountability: Self-directed ownership of complex workloads and team execution plans, coupled with transparent risk communication, immediate roadblock escalation, and shared accountability for team decisions.
  • Integrity & Trust: Exceptional standard of professional integrity and ethics, with a commitment to doing what is right under pressure and holding oneself accountable for outcomes.
  • Security Clearance: Active U.S. Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship required

WHAT THE TEAM PREFERS:
  • Advanced Degree: Master's degree in Systems Engineering or a closely related technical field.
  • Satellite Communications: Direct engineering exposure to Satellite Communications (Satcom) space, ground, or network segments. •
  • Modern Methodologies: Practical experience utilizing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and working within Agile delivery frameworks.
  • Enterprise Architecture: Experience developing and maintaining DoDAF-compliant architecture frameworks and high-level operational concepts (e.g., OV-1 graphics).
  • System Analytics: Experience conducting rigorous system reliability, maintainability, and availability analysis.
  • Field Deployment: Hands-on experience successfully deploying, installing, and transitioning complex systems directly to fielded, operational sites.

PAY TRANSPARENCY: The salary offered will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications - skills, education & experience - and the position level. $130,000 - $170,000
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2026
THE BCUBED ENGINEERING TEAM:
BCubed Engineering, an Auria company, is an advanced software and engineering company, committed to pushing the boundary through delivering products and solutions focused on end-user needs. We offer a wide range of engineering solutions focused on digital signal processing, software development, and command and control applications. Auria is a provider of solutions and software in support of complex Space, National Security, and Cyber missions of federal, international, and commercial customers. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, Auria's success is built on the excellence of diverse teams advancing innovative systems and operational software to strengthen our customers' missions. With a distinguished track record and a spirit of relentless pursuit, and R&D, we set the pace for progress and execute every mission with the utmost precision.
Why You'll Love Working at BCubed Engineering
We believe our team does their best work when they are well-supported, financially secure, and have the freedom to balance life outside of the office.
Time for What Matters & Flexible Work
  • Individual Benefit Account (IBA): Full-time employees receive an additional 25% of their base salary deposited directly into their IBA each pay period. This account empowers you with total control over your funds.
    • Time Off With Pay: Use your IBA funds to completely cover your holidays, sick leave, and vacation time.
    • Healthcare Premiums: Medical, Dental and Vision premiums are funded by your IBA, not your paycheck.
    • End-of-Year Cash Bonus: You keep what you don't use! Whatever cash remains in your IBA at the end of the year is paid out to you as a one-time cash bonus.
  • True Hybrid Flexibility: Work in a way that fits your life. After an initial onboarding period in the VA or FL office, employees enjoy a hybrid schedule requiring a minimum of 2-3 days a week in-office or at customer site.

Invested in Your Future
  • Unrivaled 401(k) Benefits: BCubed Engineering automatically contributes an additional 25% of your base salary into your 401(k) monthly-with no matching or vesting requirements whatsoever.
  • Continuous Growth & Education Support: Level up your skills with our comprehensive Educational Assistance Program, funded conference attendance, and full access to Udemy learning platforms.
  • Dynamic Career Mobility: Chart your own path across our three defined career ladders: Engineering, Leadership, or Program Management. Your journey isn't limited to a single track; we actively help you align your personal interests with our evolving business needs.

Health & Peace of Mind
  • Subsidized Premium Healthcare: Choose from three robust health plans, including an HSA option. To lower your healthcare costs, BCubed Engineering directly subsidizes your health, dental, and vision insurance premiums based on your salary level.
  • Medical Reimbursements: Utilize your tax-advantaged IBA funds to cover out-of-pocket medical reimbursements directly.
  • Fully Covered Insurance: Breathe easy with company-paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability (STD), and Long-Term Disability (LTD) provided at zero cost to you.

...and that's just the beginning!
BCubed Engineering, an Auria company, is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action-Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
Pay Range: $130,000 - $170,000 per year

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