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Remote Principal Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Systems Engineer Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site +1

$160K - $200K/yr

None Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking an experienced Electrical Systems Engineer to join our elite Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) team ...

... Remote Country United States Working time Full-time Description & Requirements We are seeking ... This is not a software engineering role. However, the Principal Consultant - AI Strategy must have ...

Principal responsibilities will include but are not limited to: * Design, develop, test, and deploy ... Engineer custom connectors, REST and SOAP APIs, scripts, and integration libraries that facilitate ...

Principal responsibilities will include but are not limited to: * Design, develop, test, and deploy ... Engineer custom connectors, REST and SOAP APIs, scripts, and integration libraries that facilitate ...

Principal responsibilities will include but are not limited to: * Design, develop, test, and deploy ... Engineer custom connectors, REST and SOAP APIs, scripts, and integration libraries that facilitate ...

Showing results 21-40

Remote Principal Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$73.4K

$146K

$210.7K

How much do remote principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote principal engineer in Virginia is $145,957.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $171,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote principal engineer?

A Remote Principal Engineer is a senior-level technical expert who leads complex engineering projects while working remotely. They provide architectural guidance, mentor teams, and ensure high-quality technical solutions. This role requires deep expertise in software development, systems design, and strategic decision-making. Principal Engineers collaborate with stakeholders, drive innovation, and help align technical goals with business objectives. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential for success in this position.

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

To thrive as a Remote Principal Engineer, you need advanced expertise in software architecture, coding, and systems design, typically backed by a relevant degree and extensive industry experience. Mastery of modern programming languages, cloud platforms (such as AWS, Azure, or GCP), and proficiency with DevOps tools and architectural frameworks are expected. Exceptional leadership, clear communication, and proactive problem-solving skills help you drive projects and mentor distributed engineering teams. These abilities ensure you can lead complex technical initiatives, foster innovation, and maintain high collaboration in a remote environment.

What does a remote principal engineer do?

As a Remote Principal Engineer, you will lead the architecture and development of major technical projects, set engineering standards, and make critical design decisions. Your day-to-day work may involve collaborating with cross-functional teams, reviewing code, mentoring other engineers, and ensuring system scalability and reliability. You'll often participate in high-level strategic discussions, address technical challenges, and help define the technology roadmap. The role is highly collaborative, requiring frequent virtual meetings and regular updates to stakeholders.

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Remote Principal Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Remote Principal Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Remote Principal Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Remote Principal Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,957 per year, or $70.2 per hour.

Systems Engineer Principal

SAIC

Chantilly, VA • On-site, Remote

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

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


SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 221 rated it services


Job description

Job ID: 2611766

Location: Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-04-27

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Systems Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE


Description

SAIC is seeking an experienced Electrical Systems Engineer to join our elite Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) team supporting cutting-edge national security programs.  In this role, you'll contribute to the development of advanced remote sensing technologies, sensor systems, and space vehicle architectures that directly impact mission-critical operations.  This is an opportunity to tackle complex technical challenges while working alongside world-class engineers on multiple high-priority, fast-paced projects.

Roles and Responsibilities:

As a SETA, you will provide expert technical guidance and oversight to ensure program success across the full system lifecycle:

  • Provide technical insight to the next generation electronics and sensor development
  • Review and assess development contractor deliverables including requirements flow-down, verification methodologies, calibration plans, interface control documents, concepts of operations, and test plans
  • Participate in design reviews to uphold the customer's interests
  • Provide expert advice related to technical issues that arise during program execution
  • Identify high-risk areas (technical, cost, and schedule) and develop effective mitigation strategies
  • Work seamlessly across SETA teams, development contractors, and customer organizations to drive successful program objectives
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, refine, and trace requirements; conduct system-level trade studies to optimize performance

Qualifications

Required Education: 

  • Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience

Required Qualifications: 

  • Active TS/SCI with Counter Intelligence (CI) polygraph
  • STEM Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience
  • Proven ability to critically review technical work products and provide actionable recommendations
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Advanced degree in Electrical, Computer, or Aerospace Engineering or Physics
  • Advanced electro-optical sensor and payload development
  • Spacecraft bus or payload engineering lifecycle (requirements, design, development, integration, test, and delivery)
  • Multi-subsystem interface design and integration
  • Analog and/or digital electronics design and analysis
  • Demonstrated knowledge of government acquisition processes and project/program management
  • Concept development, requirements definition, and trade study execution for innovative systems

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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