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Senior Principal Design Engineer Jobs in Washington

Hazen and Sawyer

Senior Principal Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$128K - $177K/yr

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer for our Fairfax, VA office. Key ... Support projects as a critical part of the design team, a design lead, a task manager, and/or a ...

Leidos

Principal Hardware Design Engineer

Laurel, MD

As part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will serve as a senior technical authority ... As a Principal Hardware Design Engineer, you will provide expert technical guidance across complex ...

Leidos

Principal Hardware Design Engineer

Laurel, MD · On-site

As part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will serve as a senior technical authority ... As a Principal Hardware Design Engineer, you will provide expert technical guidance across complex ...

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Senior Principal Design Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$92.9K

$176K

$242.9K

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

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal design engineer in Washington is $176,039.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $142,100.00 and $195,900.00 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 Washington?

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

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

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

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

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

Senior Principal Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Design Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $176,039 per year, or $84.6 per hour.

Senior Principal Network Engineer

Newington, VA • On-site

Zachary Piper Solutions
IT Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Zachary Piper Solutionsexternal

$160 - $180/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Senior Principal Network Engineer to support a federal defense program focused on national security, mission-critical communications, and critical infrastructure protection. This position is on-site in Newington, VA. The Senior Principal Network Engineer will lead the design, implementation, and optimization of complex network environments supporting high-priority government operations.

Responsibilities for the Senior Principal Network Engineer include:
  • Design and architect scalable, secure voice, video, wireless, and data communication networks in collaboration with engineering, security, cloud, and operations teams.
  • Develop high-level and low-level network designs (HLDs/LLDs) and support the deployment and integration of enterprise and data center networking solutions.
  • Troubleshoot complex network issues, conduct root cause analysis, and implement performance, reliability, and security improvements.
  • Act as a trusted technical advisor by translating mission requirements into scalable network architectures and strategic solutions.
  • Utilize advanced routing, switching, security, and automation technologies to optimize and modernize network infrastructure.
Required Qualifications for the Senior Principal Network Engineer include:
  • 8+ years of experience in network engineering, network architecture, or complex enterprise networking environments.
  • Strong expertise with routing and switching technologies including BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, VXLAN, and EVPN.
  • Hands-on experience with Cisco technologies including Catalyst, Nexus, ACI, Next-Generation Firewalls, and enterprise LAN/WAN environments.
  • Experience with network monitoring and troubleshooting tools such as SolarWinds, Wireshark, and NetFlow.
  • Strong communication, presentation, troubleshooting, and analytical skills.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance required with eligibility for Special Access Program (SAP) approval.
Compensation for the Senior Principal Network Engineer include:

Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 depending on experience

Full Benefits Package: PTO, Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Tuition Reimbursement, Sick Leave as required by law.

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