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Senior Principal Engineer Jobs in San Ramon, CA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Principal Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$147K - $202K/yr

Defining, implementing and/or maintaining R&D strategy, guidelines, systems and services for VISHAY Aligning and ensuring implementation of R&D budgets, monitors R&D programs, and allocates resources.

This role is built for a senior technologist with strong executive presence who can operate at both ... As a Principal Engineer, you will own and evolve the long‑term technical vision for marketing ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Principal Engineer information

See San Ramon, CA salary details

$91.6K

$173.7K

$239.7K

How much do senior principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal engineer in San Ramon, CA is $173,696.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $140,200.00 and $193,300.00 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 are popular job titles related to Senior Principal Engineer jobs in San Ramon, CA?

For Senior Principal Engineer jobs in San Ramon, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Principal Engineer jobs in San Ramon, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Principal Engineer jobs in San Ramon, CA are:

What cities near San Ramon, CA are hiring for Senior Principal Engineer jobs?

Cities near San Ramon, CA with the most Senior Principal Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Engineer job openings in San Ramon, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $173,696 per year, or $83.5 per hour.

Senior - Principal Engineer - Water Systems & Water Supply Planning

West Yost

Pleasanton, CA

$119K - $192K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Who We Are:

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 260 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work, and to be recognized among Fortune's Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.
Compensation range: $119,040 to $192,420.  Based on our Irvine, CA office location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

LOCATION(s):  We will consider any of our CA or OR office locations.  (https://www.westyost.com/locations/)

Senior - Principal Engineer - Water Systems & Water Supply Planning

The Senior - Principal Engineer role will contribute to the development of the firm's Water Business Sector (which encompasses water system, water resource, stormwater, recycled water, and collection system planning). Previous experience with Water System Planning/Hydraulic Modeling is required. Candidates with a desire to develop their career toward technical leadership, client service management, and/or regional/sector management are ideal.

Key Responsibilities & Functions:

  • Serving as a technical leader in water distribution system hydraulic evaluations utilizing a variety of commercial hydraulic modeling software programs (e.g., InfoWater Pro, OpenFlows WaterGEMS, Aquanuity, etc.).
  • Working as part of teams on projects throughout California and Oregon with an emphasis on Southern California-based projects and clients.
  • Analyzing water use, population, water quality, and facilities condition data
  • Evaluating water supply availability.
  • Developing water supply and water system capital improvement programs.
  • Preparing technical reports and master plans.
  • Serving as a project manager directing the hydraulic modeling and master planning work of senior level, as well as other staff engineers.
  • Providing QA/QC review on the work of others in the water planning team
  • Interacting directly with clients and providing excellent client service.
  • Assisting with marketing activities and proposal development when needed.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering.
  • 10+ years of experience with Water System Planning and Hydraulic Modeling.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Experience with CAD, GIS, and hydraulic modeling software (e.g., InfoWater Pro).
  • PE licensure in the State of California. PE licensure in other states in which the firm is actively practicing may also be considered. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Ability to process accurate engineering calculations unaided and prepare reports.
  • Proven ability to summarize technical information using appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling for concise reader-friendliness and clarity.
  • Experience with direct client interaction and proposal writing
  • High proficiency with InfoWater PRO; experience with Aquanuity software
  • Maintaining professional competency may require attending education classes and seminars, reading professional publications, and attending professional society meetings.
  • This position may require out-of-office travel with occasional evening and overnight assignments.
  • Professional Engineer 

Travel Requirements:
This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

A Little About the West Yost Life:

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance.  All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs.  We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us.

At West Yost, we make space for connection across the firm. Each month, we hold an all-hands meeting that bring together team members from every location, including those working remotely, to stay aligned and engaged. Individual sectors and teams also hold their own monthly meeting. At the local level, our offices host gatherings, from camping trips and river rafting to community events and celebrations.

Once a year, we come together in person for our Annual All Staff event, a firmwide experience focused on learning, networking, and building relationships across teams. That evening, we continue our longest-standing tradition, the Duck Dinner, where West Yosters are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a night of great food, connection, and entertainment.

We work hard, and we place equal value on having fun.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence.  We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees.  Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you'll do the best work of your life.

Standard Benefits:

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

Other Unique Benefits:

You'll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You'll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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