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Senior Principal Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hazen and Sawyer

Senior Principal Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$120K - $166K/yr

Senior Principal Engineer / Project Manager Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a qualified and experienced Senior Principal Engineer to join our team on a full-time basis to support the design and ...

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Toyota

Sr. Principal Engineer

Plano, TX · On-site

$120K - $165K/yr

Our Sr. Principal Engineers are leading experts in their domains, helping devise practical and reusable solutions to complex problems. You will drive innovation at multiple levels, helping optimize ...

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Senior Principal Engineer information

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$82K

$155.4K

$214.5K

How much do senior principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal 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 Engineer?

A Senior Principal Engineer is a highly experienced technical leader who is responsible for guiding the overall engineering direction and strategy within an organization. They typically possess deep expertise in their field, provide mentorship to other engineers, and influence major architectural and technical decisions. Senior Principal Engineers often collaborate with cross-functional teams, ensure best practices are followed, and play a critical role in driving innovation. Their work has a significant impact on the company's products and technical vision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Principal Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Senior Principal Engineer, you need deep technical expertise in your engineering discipline, advanced problem-solving abilities, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard design and simulation software, project management tools, and relevant certifications (such as PMP or PE) are often required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are vital for leading complex projects, driving innovation, and effectively guiding engineering teams to achieve organizational goals.

How does a Senior Principal Engineer typically contribute to cross-functional projects within an organization?

Senior Principal Engineers often serve as technical leaders on cross-functional projects, collaborating closely with product managers, architects, and development teams to define technical direction and ensure architectural consistency. They provide deep expertise to solve complex engineering challenges, mentor other engineers, and help align project goals with the organization's strategic vision. Their role frequently involves facilitating communication between different departments and ensuring technical decisions support both immediate project needs and long-term scalability.

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

AspectSenior Principal EngineerLead Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, with extensive industry experienceSimilar educational background, often with additional certifications or specialized training
Work EnvironmentFocuses on high-level technical strategy, innovation, and mentorship across projectsLeads specific projects or teams, overseeing technical execution and coordination
Industry UsageCommon in large corporations and R&D settingsFound in both startups and established companies, often in project-based roles

While both roles require strong technical expertise, the Senior Principal Engineer typically focuses on strategic technical leadership and innovation at an organizational level, whereas the Lead Engineer manages project execution and team coordination. The Senior Principal Engineer often operates at a higher, more strategic level within the engineering hierarchy.

More about Senior Principal Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Principal Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Principal Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs are:
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Senior Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,430 per year, or $74.7 per hour.
Principal/Senior Principal Engineer - TS/SCI Clearance

Principal/Senior Principal Engineer - TS/SCI Clearance

Rocket Lab Corporation

Long Beach, CA

$132K - $181K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Rocket Lab rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 60 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

PRINCIPAL/SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - TS/SCI CLEARANCE

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Principal/Senior Principal Engineer is responsible for overseeing our various satellite programs. You will support the Space Systems Chief Engineer, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Principal Engineer or Senior Principal Engineer level)

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

  • Provide oversight and review of spacecraft system engineering, including:
    • Requirement derivation
    • System and subsystem requirement verification techniques
    • Vehicle performance budgets
    • Test methods and data analysis
  • Simulation and analysis
  • Technical leadership in future architectures, platform, and payloads for future missions both internal and external
  • Assist or lead system and subsystem architectural developments for existing missions
  • Assist with program and product management

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
  • 12+ years of experience supporting satellite or spacecraft programs
  • Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their associated components
  • Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Experience with satellite operations

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
  • 15+ years of experience supporting satellite or spacecraft programs
  • Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their associated components
  • Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Experience with satellite operations

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • Master's or PhD in an engineering or other technical discipline
  • Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK
  • Experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies, thermal vacuum or random vibration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

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