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Senior Principal Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for a motivated Sr. Principal Design Engineer with a solid background in RF design, excellent communication skills, and strong drive to produce best in class products. The engineer ...

We are looking for a motivated Sr. Principal Design Engineer with a solid background in RF design, excellent communication skills, and strong drive to produce best in class products. The engineer ...

Sr Principal Design Engineer

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$168K - $218K/yr

We are looking for a motivated Sr. Principal Design Engineer with a solid background in RF design, excellent communication skills, and strong drive to produce best in class products. The engineer ...

We are looking for a motivated Sr. Principal Design Engineer with a solid background in RF design, excellent communication skills, and strong drive to produce best in class products. The engineer ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Principal Design Engineer information

See salary details

$82K

$155.4K

$214.5K

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

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal design engineer in the United States is $155,430.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,500.00 and $173,000.00 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.

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What cities are hiring for Senior Principal Design Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Principal Design Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Senior Principal Design Engineer jobs?

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

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Infographic showing various Senior Principal Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,430 per year, or $74.7 per hour.

Sr Principal Design Engineer

Greensboro, NC • On-site

Qorvo, Inc.
Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees

$168K - $218K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Qorvo rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Qorvo (Nasdaq: QRVO) supplies innovative semiconductor solutions that make a better world possible. We combine product and technology leadership, systems-level expertise and global manufacturing scale to quickly solve our customers' most complex technical challenges. Qorvo serves multiple high-growth segments of large global markets, including consumer electronics, smart home/IoT, automotive, EVs, battery-powered appliances, network infrastructure, healthcare and aerospace/defense. Visit www.qorvo.com to learn how our innovative team is helping connect, protect and power our planet.

We are looking for a motivated Sr. Principal Design Engineer with a solid background in RF design, excellent communication skills, and strong drive to produce best in class products. The engineer will be responsible for leading the design and development of next generation RF switch and/or LNA products for mobile handset applications. The candidate will be supported by an established team representing program management, applications, layout, characterization, reliability, quality, and logistics.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Perform detailed, transistor-level RFIC Design and product development of RF switches and/or LNA for cellular applications, potentially using SOI, GaAs, or technology
  • Support the design of analog blocks as needed (charge pump, LDOs, level shifters, bandgaps, etc.)
  • Manage and present design trade-offs including performance, size, cost and time to market
  • Expert use of RF measurement equipment with the ability to troubleshoot measurement issues
  • Present design work during peer reviews including expected and/or actual results
  • Provide regular progress update to development team
  • Develop and execute project schedules and bring products to market on time
  • Contribute to cross functional continuous improvement efforts

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • BSEE degree required; MSEE preferred
  • 10+ years of experience in switch, LNA and/or RFIC design
  • Proven track record designing with Cadence including layout with strong background in various linear and nonlinear simulation techniques and simulators
  • Extensive experience mitigating parasitic effects from package or PCB relying on EM simulation including proficient use of HFSS, ADS FEM, or similar
  • Strong background with RF measurements and characterization including S-parameter, noise figure, harmonics, intermodulation distortion
  • Demonstrated experience in standard RF design techniques, debugging analog/RF/mixed signal noise issues, and RF coupling
  • Working knowledge of device physics, especially tradeoffs applying to switch and LNA designs
  • Excellent written and spoken communication skills
  • Ability to work independently or in a team
  • Knowledge of RF PA design and other large signal circuit design is considered a plus
  • Candidates with successful release of production switches or LNA for mobile applications would be highly considered

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $168,000 - $218,300 (subject to change dependent on physical location) 

Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. Qorvo reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualification of the selected candidate as well as external competitiveness and internal comparability. 

Base compensation is one element of Total Rewards offered at Qorvo. More information on the Total Rewards package can be shared upon request. 

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT QORVO   

 We are Qorvo. We do more than create innovative RF and Power solutions for the mobile, defense and infrastructure markets - we are a place to innovate and shape the future of wireless communications. It starts with our employees. As a unified global team, we bring a commitment to excellence, growth and a passion for creating what's next. Explore the possibilities with us.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcome all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable law, including race, color, religion, sex (as defined by law), national origin, age, military or veteran status, genetic information, or disability. 


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