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Senior Principal Design Engineer Jobs in Minnesota

Senior Principal Engineer

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$132K - $182K/yr

This role serves as a Senior Principal Engineer and packaging material SME (subject matter expert ... Oversee design and interpretation of complex material characterization studies (mechanical, thermal ...

Senior Principal Engineer

Plymouth, MN

$132K - $182K/yr

This role serves as a Senior Principal Engineer and packaging material SME (subject matter expert ... Oversee design and interpretation of complex material characterization studies (mechanical, thermal ...

As a Senior Design Engineer, you will contribute to Wenger Corporation's strategy to provide an exceptional customer experience by leading new product development, product improvement, and cost ...

Senior Design Engineer

Owatonna, MN · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

As a Senior Design Engineer, you will contribute to Wenger Corporation's strategy to provide an exceptional customer experience by leading new product development, product improvement, and cost ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Eden Prairie, MN · Remote

$128K - $176K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and development of next-generation Agentic AI platforms and applications that power personalization, lifecycle engagement, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Principal Design Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$80.3K

$152.2K

$210.1K

How much do senior principal design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal design engineer in Minnesota is $152,230.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,900.00 and $169,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior principal design engineer?

A Senior Principal Design Engineer is a highly experienced engineering professional responsible for leading complex design projects and setting technical direction within an organization. They often mentor junior engineers, drive innovation, and ensure that engineering standards are upheld throughout the design process. This role typically requires deep technical expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions. Additionally, Senior Principal Design Engineers may be involved in setting long-term strategy, evaluating new technologies, and representing the company in industry forums.

How does a senior principal design engineer typically contribute to cross-functional teams during project development?

As a Senior Principal Design Engineer, you will play a key leadership role in collaborating across departments such as product management, manufacturing, and quality assurance. You will be responsible for guiding the design process, providing technical direction, and ensuring that engineering solutions align with broader business objectives. Regularly, you'll be involved in design reviews, troubleshooting complex issues, and mentoring junior engineers to maintain high standards of technical excellence. Your input is often crucial in balancing innovation with practical constraints like cost, manufacturability, and regulatory requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior principal design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Principal Design Engineer, you need deep expertise in engineering design principles, advanced problem-solving abilities, and a relevant engineering degree, often with years of specialized experience. Proficiency with CAD software, simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards or certifications like PE (Professional Engineer) are typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and project management skills help excel in guiding teams and interfacing with stakeholders. These capabilities are crucial for delivering innovative, reliable designs while ensuring project success and engineering excellence.

What is the difference between Senior Principal Design Engineer vs Lead Design Engineer?

AspectSenior Principal Design EngineerLead Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, professional certifications often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, certifications may be beneficial
Work EnvironmentResearch and development, cross-functional teams, strategic planningProject teams, technical leadership, hands-on design work
Industry UsageUsed across industries like aerospace, automotive, electronicsCommon in engineering firms, manufacturing, product development
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior technical roles, career progressionClarifying leadership in design projects, technical expertise

The Senior Principal Design Engineer typically focuses on high-level technical strategy and innovation, often working across multiple projects and guiding teams. The Lead Design Engineer is more involved in direct project leadership and hands-on design work. Both roles require strong engineering credentials, but the Senior Principal often emphasizes strategic influence, while the Lead Design Engineer concentrates on project execution and team coordination.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Principal Design Engineer jobs in Minnesota?

For Senior Principal Design Engineer jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Principal Design Engineer jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Principal Design Engineer jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Senior Principal Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Senior Principal Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Design Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,230 per year, or $73.2 per hour.

Principal / Sr. Principal Specialty Test Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Plymouth, MN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


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: No CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description 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. Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking an experienced Test Engineer to support our Armament Systems site in Plymouth, MN.

This can be filled at the principal (Level 3) or sr. principal (level 4) depending on experience. This site develops and produces medium and large-caliber ammunition as well as precision capabilities for direct and indirect fire systems.

Leading the industry, this team successfully completes lifecycle support for medium-caliber cannons, develops miniature, precision strike weapons for airborne platforms, creates survivability solutions for soldiers and the next generation tactical ammunition for a variety of combat platforms Responsibilities: Ensure product quality by creating production test equipment for military/aerospace products. Includes programming, debugging, and deploying into production equipment that adjusts, calibrates and certifies device specifications. Design, develop, and implement cost-effective methods of testing for Design Verification (DVT).

Maintain and update test equipment supporting functional board level and final acceptance testers. Support production floor test equipment. Understand the functionality of several products to reduce test time or suggest additional tests.

Co-lead design reviews and design for testability. Assist with fixture fabrication and ordering of parts and managing suppliers. Prepare test and diagnostic programs, design test fixtures, instrument racks and equipment.

Compile data and define changes required in test equipment, test procedures, manufacturing processes, or test requirements. Function as liaison between Design Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure that innovative new product designs can be manufactured cost effectively with high quality. Perform Design for Testability and coverage analysis.

Understand customer requirements documentation and translate to test cases for DVT and production test. Basic Qualifications: Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or equivalent discipline plus: Principal (Level 3): 5 years of professional experience in building and maintaining automated test equipment, OR a Masters degree & 3 years of professional experience in building and maintaining automated test equipment Sr. Principal Test Engineer (Level 4): 8 years of professional experience in building and maintaining automated test equipment (ATE).

Or master's degree plus 6 years of experience; or PhD plus 4 yrs of experience. Ability to obtain and maintain government secret clearance after starting employment (US citizenship required) Experience as Electrical Engineer or Computer Engineer oriented to hardware. Proven Experience in programming languages.

1-2 years of experience in LabVIEW. Read/understand schematics, understand embedded software and communication protocols. Digital and Analog Electronics experience to design circuitry for signal conditioning and isolation.

Knowledge in Electrical and Functional Testers with: Interfaces, Pneumatic Systems, Communication protocols, PXI and GPIB instruments test platforms. Work on-site with flexible work arrangement. Able to travel 10% of time (domestic).

Solid communication skills and ability to clearly establish verbal communication with remote audience. Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks. Excellent problem-solving skills, team-oriented, self-motivated, leadership.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with cross-functional team members. Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment that is fast paced, rapidly changing, short turn-around environment. Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering is highly desired.

Experience with high-volume device assembly and PCB fabrication practices. Experience designing test fixtures and product testing under high and low temperature extremes. LabVIEW, Python or C++ and OOP experience.

Experience with ICT testing and fixture development is a plus (Keysight i3070 preferable). Green belt or experience in the use of Six Sigma tools: DOE, R&R, MSE, DFSS is preferred. PWB layout and design experience.

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $123,400.00 - $185,000.00 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.


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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