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Principal Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

Spring Valley, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

Socket.dev

Principal Test Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$110 - $165/hr

Logic is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support a mission-focused effort in the Huntsville area. This role will play a key part in supporting missile defense efforts and involves working in a ...

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

SRC, Inc

Principal Test Engineer

Syracuse, NY · On-site

$136K - $165K/yr

SRCTec, LLC is currently seeking a highly seasoned and product development-oriented principal test engineer to join the Advanced Manufacturing team. Individuals who are passionate about ensuring ...

SRC, Inc.

Principal Test Engineer

Syracuse, NY

$136K - $165K/yr

SRCTec, LLC is currently seeking a highly seasoned and product development-oriented principal test engineer to join the Advanced Manufacturing team. Individuals who are passionate about ensuring ...

SAIC

Principal Test Engineer

Escondido, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

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Principal Test Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal test 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 test engineer?

A Principal Test Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing the planning, design, and execution of testing strategies in software or hardware development projects. They lead quality assurance teams, set testing standards, and ensure that products meet both technical and customer requirements. Principal Test Engineers often collaborate closely with development, product management, and other stakeholders to troubleshoot issues and drive continuous improvement. Their expertise is crucial in identifying risks, optimizing testing processes, and mentoring junior engineers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a principal test engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Test Engineer, you need deep expertise in software testing methodologies, test automation, and quality assurance, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automation tools like Selenium, Jenkins, and scripting languages, as well as certifications such as ISTQB, are commonly expected. Strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are essential for driving high-quality product releases, mentoring teams, and ensuring robust, scalable testing solutions.

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

AspectPrincipal Test EngineerSenior Test Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Engineering, or related; certifications like ISTQBBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; ISTQB or similar certifications
Work EnvironmentLeads testing strategies, mentors teams, collaborates with stakeholdersPerforms testing, develops test cases, reports bugs
Industry UsageUsed across tech, software, hardware companies for senior technical leadershipCommon in software development and QA teams at all levels

The Principal Test Engineer typically holds a higher level of responsibility, focusing on testing strategy, leadership, and mentorship, while the Senior Test Engineer executes testing tasks and supports quality assurance efforts. Both roles require relevant certifications and experience, but the Principal role involves more strategic oversight and cross-team collaboration.

How does a principal test engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the product development lifecycle?

Principal Test Engineers play a crucial role in working closely with development, product management, and quality assurance teams. They are often responsible for defining test strategies, reviewing requirements, and providing technical guidance to ensure quality standards are met throughout the development process. Regular collaboration may include participating in design reviews, leading test planning sessions, and troubleshooting complex issues with developers. This cross-functional involvement enables Principal Test Engineers to influence product quality at every stage and mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
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Principal Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Test Engineer

Science Applications International Corporation

San Diego, CA

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 224 rated it services

Job description

 SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area. Must be able to travel up to 15%.

 The Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) program involves deployment of autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USV's) to demonstrate an enhanced warfighting capability to disrupt adversary activity in a given maritime region. This program seeks to advance unmanned autonomous USV war fighting capabilities while participating in high-visibility operations such as RIMPAC and Integrated Battle Problems. The MDUSV program is a multi-year effort managed by NIWC-PAC with PMS-406 as the Program Office and Unmanned Surface Vessel Development Squadron-1 (USVDIV1).

  In this role, the candidate will be working with the Government IPT Lead and other support staff in the development and execution of directed Test and Evaluation events of Autonomous Systems and unmanned automation on developmental surface vessels. Support will also include supporting technology upgrades, In-Service Engineering to existing platforms, test/planning support to satisfy Program Office and Fleet demand signals.


JOB DUTIES:

  • Skillset and knowledge coordinating personnel and finances for million-dollar programs.
  • Skillset and knowledge to lead autonomy development and associated integration to support unmanned operations.
  • Skillset and knowledge for leading or/and overseeing autonomous test, evaluation, demonstration, data collection, and reporting
  • Communication skills to support NIWC program leadership briefings and reporting requirements.
  • Conducting or executing of tests following established procedures
  • Ship riding as part of testing
SAIC is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelors degree in an engineering field and nine (9) years or more related experience.

  • 5 years experience working with or on Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV)

  • 5 years experience coordinating and supporting at-sea test events

  • 5 years experience with vessel autonomy systems and operations

  • Must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance after start

  • Organizational, time-management, and communication skills.

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