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Remote Principal Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

TalentRemedy

Principal Electrical Systems Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site +1

$142K - $174K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Electrical Systems Engineer to join our Herndon, VA team and lead the ... remote sensing technologies for demanding spaceflight applications. This position is ideal for an ...

Wsgr

Principal Solutions Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

The Principal Solutions Engineer will lead the development of complex, integrated business ... This position is available as a hybrid or fully remote work schedule. Responsibilities: Solution ...

Parsons

Principal Innovation Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site +1

Parsons is seeking a Principal Innovation Engineer to drive applied innovation for a mission ... Experience designing solutions for remote, austere, power-constrained, or intermittently connected ...

Raft Company Website

Principal Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site +1

$180K - $230K/yr

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S. Who we are: Raft ( is a ...

Draper

Principal Guidance & Control Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site +1

$95K - $245K/yr

The Principal Guidance and Control Engineer develops software for cutting-edge space and defense systems used by the US Government and commercial customers as well as internal R&D projects. A ...

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Remote Principal Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$77K

$153.2K

$221.1K

How much do remote principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote principal engineer in Reston, VA is $153,161.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,300.00 and $180,000.00 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 Reston, VA? The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Principal Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? For Remote Principal Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Principal Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Principal Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Remote Principal Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Remote Principal Engineer job openings:
Remote Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Principal Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,161 per year, or $73.6 per hour.

Principal Electrical Systems Engineer

TalentRemedy

Herndon, VA • On-site, Remote

$142K - $174K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Electrical Systems Engineer to join our Herndon, VA team and lead the development of advanced electro-optical and laser-based systems supporting NASA, DoD, and commercial space missions. In this role, you will serve as the technical lead for the electrical architecture of complex aerospace systems, guiding programs from concept development through integration, test, qualification, and mission deployment. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams of optical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers to develop next-generation laser, sensing, and remote sensing technologies for demanding spaceflight applications.

This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving challenging technical problems, defining system architectures, mentoring engineers, and helping transition advanced research into operational aerospace systems. Responsibilities Lead the electrical architecture, design, and technical execution of complex electro-optical, laser, and sensing systems for spaceflight and defense applications. Define system-level electrical requirements, interfaces, performance budgets, and verification strategies.

Provide technical leadership for the development of high-reliability electronics, including power systems, control electronics, data acquisition systems, signal conditioning, and system interconnects. Lead electrical subsystem integration activities and ensure successful interface compatibility across multidisciplinary systems. Lead system integration, verification, validation, troubleshooting, and qualification activities.

Support customer interactions, technical proposals, design reviews, and program execution. Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers while helping establish engineering best practices. Participate in laboratory testing, environmental testing, and field demonstrations as required.

Support multiple concurrent R&D and production programs spanning NASA, DoD, and commercial space customers. Required Qualifications BSEE required; MSEE preferred. 15+ years of experience developing complex aerospace, defense, or spaceflight electrical systems.

Demonstrated experience serving as the technical lead, principal engineer, or system architect for complex electrical systems. Direct experience developing, integrating, testing, or qualifying electronics for spaceflight applications, including satellites, spacecraft, launch vehicles, scientific instruments, human-rated systems, or other high-reliability aerospace platforms. Strong background in system-level electrical architecture, integration, verification, troubleshooting, and qualification.

Experience with power distribution, control electronics, instrumentation, mixed-signal systems, and electrical interfaces. Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams and leading technical decision-making. Ability to work hands-on in laboratory environments and support system integration and test activities.

Preferred Qualifications MSEE or PhD in Electrical Engineering. Experience supporting NASA, DoD, NRO, SDA, Space Force, or commercial space programs. Experience with radiation-tolerant, radiation-hardened, or other high-reliability electronics technologies.

Familiarity with spaceflight design standards, mission assurance processes, and environmental qualification testing. Experience with electro-optical systems, laser systems, remote sensing, or LIDAR technologies. Experience leading technical teams and mentoring engineers.

Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.

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