ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Principal Verification Engineer Jobs in California

SambaNova

Principal Design Verification Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$159K - $194K/yr

About the role SambaNova is looking for a Principal Design Verification Engineer to own verification for our next-generation RDU, the reconfigurable dataflow silicon behind our machine learning and ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsPrincipal Verification Engineer JobsPrincipal Verification Engineer Jobs in California

Principal Verification Engineer information

See California salary details

$73K

$145.3K

$209.7K

How much do principal verification engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal verification engineer in California is $145,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,900.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal verification engineer?

A Principal Verification Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for leading the verification process of complex hardware or software systems, ensuring that designs meet all specifications and functional requirements. They develop and implement verification strategies, create test plans, and oversee the execution of simulation and validation activities. Principal Verification Engineers often mentor junior engineers, collaborate with design and architecture teams, and play a key role in identifying and resolving critical design issues. Their work is essential for delivering high-quality, reliable products in industries such as semiconductor, electronics, and automotive. This role typically requires extensive experience in verification methodologies and strong problem-solving skills.

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

A Principal Verification Engineer needs deep expertise in digital design, verification methodologies (such as UVM or SystemVerilog), and a degree in electrical or computer engineering. Mastery of simulation tools (like ModelSim or VCS), scripting languages (Perl, Python), and familiarity with hardware description languages are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help in leading teams and collaborating across engineering functions. These competencies ensure rigorous product validation, efficient project execution, and high-quality semiconductor or hardware releases.

What are some common challenges faced by a principal verification engineer, and how can they be addressed?

Principal Verification Engineers often navigate complex verification environments, tight project timelines, and coordination across multiple teams. A key challenge is ensuring comprehensive test coverage while managing evolving design specifications. Effective communication with design and firmware teams, proactive identification of verification gaps, and leveraging advanced verification methodologies (such as constrained-random testing and formal verification) can help address these challenges. Additionally, mentoring junior engineers and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing are vital for team success.

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

AspectPrincipal Verification EngineerVerification Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; extensive experience in verification methodologiesUsually holds a Bachelor's or Master's in a relevant engineering discipline; less extensive experience needed
Work EnvironmentLeads verification teams, designs verification strategies, and oversees complex projectsPerforms verification tasks, runs tests, and documents results under supervision
Industry UsageCommonly found in semiconductor, electronics, and hardware industriesWidely used across similar industries for testing and validation roles

The Principal Verification Engineer typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and oversees verification processes, while Verification Engineers focus on executing tests and validating designs. Both roles are essential in ensuring product quality but differ in scope and seniority.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Verification Engineer jobs in California?

For Principal Verification Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Verification Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Verification Engineer jobs in California are:

Principal Verification Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Verification Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,292 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Principal/ Sr. Principal Digital Verification Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Digital Verification Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Verification Engineer based out of San Diego, CA. At the Northrop Grumman San Diego campus our Advanced Digital Design organization creates the next generation of communications and signal processing systems and will take ideas from concept to working systems aboard the world's most advanced platforms right here in always-sunny San Diego. We design in our campus of labs and on-site advanced manufacturing just minutes from the beach and everything for which southern California is famous. It's work that matters and a career that can take you places. We seek degreed electrical or computer engineering engineers with hands-on experience in FPGA Verification with VHDL.
You will be responsible for digital designs associated with multi-function software-defined radios. Systems include state-of-art radios and test equipment for military applications.
This is a dual level requisition which can be filled as a Principal Digital Verification Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Verification Engineer.
This position is contingent upon the ability to obtain a US Government secret clearance and future program awards.
Job Description:
  • Define and maintain digital logic design verification frameworks and architectures for software-defined radio systems
  • Develop a verification plan based on digital logic design requirements and design specifications
  • Simulate and verify FPGA logic designs, requirements, and perform system validation
  • Analyze and debug simulation failures, determine root causes of bugs, and work with designers to resolve issues
  • Perform regression testing and generate verification metrics and reporting
  • Operate in a team environment with 5-7 engineers

Basic Qualifications for a Principal:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline
  • 5+ years of digital verification engineering experience using industry standard simulation tools (3+ years with an MS degree; 1+ years with PhD)
  • Experience in VHDL design and verification methodologies for DoD communications systems
  • FPGA deployable product process experience (requirements definition, conceptual design, detailed design, verification, and production release)
  • Experience developing verification plans, functional tests, test benches, and bus functional models
  • Experience with forecasting and estimating schedules for assigned tasks
  • Demonstrated strong analytical skills and the ability to prioritize assignments according to program goals
  • Experience using Siemens Questa Simulator
  • Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance

Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline
  • 8+ years of digital verification engineering experience using industry standard simulation tools (6+ years with an MS degree; 4+ years with PhD)
  • Experience in VHDL design and verification methodologies for DoD communications systems
  • FPGA deployable product process experience (requirements definition, conceptual design, detailed design, verification, and production release)
  • Experience developing verification plans, functional tests, test benches, and bus functional models
  • Experience with forecasting and estimating schedules for assigned tasks
  • Demonstrated strong analytical skills and the ability to prioritize assignments according to program goals
  • Experience using Siemens Questa Simulator
  • Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active Security Clearance
  • Experience with functional verification methodology using OSVVM for the full life cycle of products
  • Experience with scripting languages for Verification automation in a Linux environment (Perl, TCL, Bash, and Makefile)
  • Experience using Siemens formal applications such as Lint, Inspect, and CDC
  • Ability to hold special access program clearances

Primary Level Salary Range: $125,300.00 - $187,900.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Northrop Grumman logo

About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

View All Northrop Grumman Jobs

Apply