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Senior Principal Engineer Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Principal Geologist / Senior Technical Manager (P6) This Opportunity WSP is seeking a Senior ... Work closely with multidisciplinary teams including engineers, chemists, toxicologists, risk ...

Senior Principal Geologist / Senior Technical Manager (P6) This Opportunity WSP is seeking a Senior ... Work closely with multidisciplinary teams including engineers, chemists, toxicologists, risk ...

Senior Principal Geologist

Redmond, WA ยท On-site

$126 - $175/hr

Senior Principal Geologist / Senior Technical Manager (P6) This Opportunity WSP is seeking a Senior ... Work closely with multidisciplinary teams including engineers, chemists, toxicologists, risk ...

Sr Principal Software Engineer

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$142K - $196K/yr

As a Senior Principal Software Engineer at JPMorganChase within the CDAO AI/ML Data Platforms Team, you provide deep engineering expertise and work across agile teams to enhance, build, and deliver ...

Sr Principal Software Engineer

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$142K - $196K/yr

As a Senior Principal Software Engineer at JPMorganChase within the CDAO AI/ML Data Platforms Team, you provide deep engineering expertise and work across agile teams to enhance, build, and deliver ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Principal Engineer information

See Renton, WA salary details

$92.2K

$174.8K

$241.3K

How much do senior principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal engineer in Renton, WA is $174,831.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,200.00 and $194,600.00 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 does a senior principal engineer do?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior principal engineer?

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.

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.

What job categories do people searching Senior Principal Engineer jobs in Renton, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Principal Engineer jobs in Renton, WA are:

What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Senior Principal Engineer jobs?

Cities near Renton, WA with the most Senior Principal Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Engineer job openings in Renton, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $174,831 per year, or $84.1 per hour.

Senior/Principal Systems Engineer (Contractor)

Zeno Power

Seattle, WA โ€ข On-site

$96 - $123/hr

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Company Overview

Zeno Power is the leading developer of nuclear batteries โ€“ compact power systems that provide reliable, clean energy in frontier environments. By harnessing the heat from radioisotopes, Zenoโ€™s batteries power critical missions on Earth, in space, and at sea. To bring this technology to market by 2027, Zeno is seeking out purpose-driven and innovative professionals who are comfortable working in a startup environment. Team members will have a direct impact in enabling commercial and national security missions from the depths of our oceans, to the surface of the moon, and in austere environments here on Earth. Zeno is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Senior/Principal Systems Engineer (Contractor)

Zeno is seeking a highly motivated Senior/Principal Systems Engineer to support the engineering efforts of developing and bringing to market Radioisotope Power System (RPS) technologies. This role will report to the Engineering Manager, Systems Engineering.

In this role you will:

  • Develop and manage system, subsystem, and component requirements.
  • Create and manage system artifacts such as Concepts of Operations (ConOps), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and additional design specification documents.
  • Develop, implement, and enforce design processes and tools to support system design work, to include tracking and managing design documentation, requirements, and open items.
  • Ensure sound Systems Engineering methodology is applied to the design of RPS systems, test equipment, tooling, and integrated systems.
  • Track requirements to closure through verification planning and execution.
  • Create integration and test plans to track hardware from procurement through acceptance.
  • Coordinate fabrication, integration, and testing teams while collaborating with Project Managers (PM) and maintaining clear communication with external subcontractors to advance project goals.
  • Engage with the Regulatory team to incorporate adherence to regulatory and code requirements through the design process and operations planning.
  • Assist Project Managers in schedule planning and technical activity development, as well as ensuring adherence to timelines.
  • Perform trade studies to objectively select concepts throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Align engineering and project personnel to identify and develop design information and specify system design and performance criteria.
Key Qualifications and Skills
  • B.S. or higher in relevant engineering discipline from accredited university, 7+ years relevant experience to system design and integration skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing Systems Engineering design approach, preferably in an aerospace, maritime, or nuclear regulatory environment.
  • Experience in implementing integrated design of nuclear systems, extreme temperature environments, and radiological systems desired.
  • Understanding of configuration management principles, as well as knowledge of design control tools.
  • Experience performing activities under a quality standard (such as NQA-1, AS9100, or similar).
  • Demonstrated success in coordinating work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Proactive approach to coordinating and contributing to design effort with minimal guidance.
  • Proven track record of performing effectively under pressure and delivering results in complex, evolving environments.
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in working independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Must have excellent technical writing and oral communication skills.
Job Functions
  • Travel: None
  • Motor Abilities: Sitting and/or standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
  • Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 15 pounds
  • Repetitive work: Prolonged
  • Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
  • Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day
  • Contract Duration: 6 months
Compensation

The anticipated hourly rate for this position is $69.71-$88.94/hr. The final pay-rate will be determined by various factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, years of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, certifications, and other business considerations.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an โ€œat willโ€ relationship.

Export Control

Applicants for employment at Zeno Power must be a U.S. person. The term โ€œU.S. Personโ€ means (i) a U.S citizen or U.S. national; or (ii) any natural person who is a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., holds a Green Card), as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or as a โ€œprotected individualโ€ defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., admitted as a refugee or is granted asylum).

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