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Senior Principal Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Principal Engineer - C++

Reston, VA ยท On-site

$155K - $255K/yr

Senior Software Engineer / Lead Engineer / Principal Engineer (C++) Location: Hybrid - Reston, VA Level: Senior Engineer (L4), Lead Engineer (L5), Principal Engineer (L6), Senior Principal/Architect ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Principal Engineer information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$84.8K

$160.7K

$221.7K

How much do senior principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal engineer in Silver Spring, MD is $160,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,700.00 and $178,800.00 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 Silver Spring, MD?

For Senior Principal Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Principal Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Principal Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Senior Principal Engineer jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Senior Principal Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Engineer job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,680 per year, or $77.2 per hour.

Senior Principal Engineer

Edison Electric Institute

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

$158K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

WHO WE ARE
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the nation's leading association for U.S. investor-owned electric companies๏ฟฝthe organizations powering American homes, businesses, and communities. Our members deliver electricity to more than 250 million Americans across all 50 states and Washington, DC, and together the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs nationwide.
With over 50 International Members and hundreds of Associate Members, EEI sits at the center of global conversations about energy's future. Joining EEI means joining a team that shapes policy, drives technical standards, and helps chart the course for a cleaner, more resilient grid.
EEI employees are required to work in office Monday-Thursday and have the option to work remotely on Fridays.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a rare chance to serve as a top-level technical authority at the intersection of engineering, policy, and industry leadership. As Senior Principal Engineer in EEI's Reliability department, you will be a go-to expert for member companies and a recognized voice in national conversations about grid reliability and resilience๏ฟฝworking directly with NERC, FERC, and the DOE.
You won't just advise from the sidelines. You will lead technical committees, drive industry consensus, and ensure that EEI's positions are heard๏ฟฝand acted upon๏ฟฝat the highest levels of the regulatory process.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Serve as EEI's subject matter expert on transmission and distribution questions, providing authoritative technical guidance to member companies.
  • Plan, organize, and lead technical discussions with EEI's Reliability Technical Committee๏ฟฝsetting agendas, coordinating subject-matter experts, and facilitating substantive discussions on NERC and industry reliability and resilience issues.
  • Draft and deliver analytical evaluations and formal comments on NERC Reliability Standards, reliability guidelines, and technical documents; build member consensus and ensure timely, high-quality submissions.
  • Inform the development of EEI's technical positions for FERC and DOE rulemakings and proceedings, collaborating closely with policy and legal colleagues.
  • Proactively engage with NERC, FERC, and peer organizations to identify emerging risks to the grid๏ฟฝand champion solutions๏ฟฝbefore they become crises.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
  • 10+ years of experience in the electric power industry with a focus on grid planning, operations, or reliability.
  • Deep understanding of transmission and/or distribution system operations, engineering, or planning of the bulk-power system.
  • Working knowledge of the NERC standards development process.
  • Exceptional communicator๏ฟฝwritten and verbal๏ฟฝwith the ability to translate complex technical topics for diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and deliver on time.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).

Preferred
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license.
  • Direct experience engaging with NERC, FERC, or regional transmission organizations.

Compensation
The salary range for role is $158,843 ๏ฟฝ $190,629. Starting annual salary will be determined on individual qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401k, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness incentives and programs, transportation subsidy, and professional development opportunities. The role is eligible for a performance based bonus.
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EEI is committed to providing a productive and safe environment. To achieve that goal, we conduct background and reference check investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Equal Opportunity Employment M/D/F/V.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should apply online through EEI's career site. EEI uses Clear Company as our applicant tracking system. An application is considered when all required fields are completed.