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Senior Principal Engineer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

ABB

Sr . R&D Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

ABB Talent Pool - R&D Engineer / R&D Senior Engineer / R&D Team Lead / Associate Principal engineer / Principal Engineer) Your role and responsibilities In this role, you will have the opportunity to ...

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All JobsPrincipal Engineer JobsSenior Principal Engineer JobsSenior Principal Engineer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

Senior Principal Engineer information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$89.7K

$169.9K

$234.5K

How much do senior principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal engineer in Santa Rosa, CA is $169,936.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $137,200.00 and $189,100.00 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 Santa Rosa, CA?

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

What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Senior Principal Engineer jobs?

Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Senior Principal Engineer job openings:

Senior Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Engineer job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $169,936 per year, or $81.7 per hour.

Principal/Sr Principal Material Process Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

89th of 542 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Principal Engineer Material Process / Sr Principal Engineer Material Process to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals under one of NGs Small Business Units, Sonoma Photonics, Inc. This role will be located onsite in Santa Rosa, CA.
The Material Process Engineer role blends hands-on work with deposition equipment and desk-based design/analysis activities. The incumbent will receive technical guidance from senior engineers, program managers, and supervisory staff while contributing independently to product development and program delivery.
Essential Functions:
  • Perform coating designs, tolerancing, analysis and process engineering for projects related to multiple technologies.
  • Apply, as well as design and develop new techniques and coatings to meet product needs.
  • Individually contribute to product development or program completion.
  • Run and debug deposition chambers.
  • Organize scheduling and testing of programs.
  • Ability to manage small projects and present technical content.
  • Devise and implement methods and procedures for inspecting, testing, and evaluating the precision and accuracy of products and production equipment.
  • Design and analyze inspection and testing processes, mechanisms, and equipment; conduct quality-assurance tests; and perform statistical analysis to assess cost and determine responsibility for products or materials that do not meet required standards and specifications.
  • Work will be conducted in both an office and lab/manufacturing environment with possible exposure to chemicals.
  • Utilize required PPE (respirators, gloves, gowns, goggles, chemical fume hoods) and adhere to hazardous-material handling protocols.

We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.
This requisition may be filled at either an Principal Engineer Material Process (Level 3)/ Sr Principal Engineer Material Process (Level 4) based on the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications:
Principal Engineer Material Process :
  • Bachelor's of Science degree in STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) and 5 years professional experience.
  • Related experience could include but not limited to manufacturing, thin-film process engineering, RF/microwave modeling, process engineering, project engineering/management.
  • Experience in Microsoft Office including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
  • Ability to work safely in environments where chemicals are present and to follow all required PPE and hazardous-material protocols.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level DOD security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Sr Principal Engineer Material Process :
  • Bachelor's of Science Degree in STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) and 9 years of related professional/military engineering experience OR Master's Degree in STEM and 0 years of engineering experience
  • Related experience could include but not limited to manufacturing, thin-film process engineering, RF/microwave modeling, process engineering, project engineering/management.
  • Experience in Microsoft Office including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
  • Ability to work safely in environments where chemicals are present and to follow all required PPE and hazardous-material protocols.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level DOD security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in Project Management or leading teams.
  • Hands-on experience with thin-film processes and thin-film modeling tools (e.g., TFCalc, OptiLayer, etc.).
  • Working knowledge of statistical methods and data-analysis techniques (e.g., DOE, SPC, regression analysis).
  • Familiarity with thin-film materials and characterization techniques (ellipsometry, profilometry, spectrophotometry, etc.).
  • Experience modeling complex systems (e.g. RF/microwave modeling).
  • Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to clearly present concepts, findings, and recommendations to multidisciplinary teams.
  • Excellent organizational and time-management abilities; proven track record of meeting project milestones.
  • Strong background in electromagnetics, especially as it relates to photonic or coating applications.
  • Active Secret DoD Security clearance/Program access

What We Offer:
At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation -- building the next generation of sophisticated aircraft to protect our country. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We are well-known for our inclusive, family environment, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare, and a great 401K matching program.
Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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