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Sr 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 ...

Toyota

Sr. Principal Engineer

Plano, TX

$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 ...

Dell, Inc.

Thermal Senior Principal Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$167K - $217K/yr

Thermal Senior Principal Engineer Thermal Engineering leads and delivers the development of innovative and compliant thermal design solutions, as well as cross-functional interfaces for computer ...

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Sr Principal Engineer information

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$82K

$155.4K

$214.5K

How much do sr principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr 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 the highest salary for a principal engineer?

The highest salary for a principal engineer can exceed $200,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or senior-level industries such as technology and engineering. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other benefits, reflecting the role's seniority and expertise in areas like system architecture and technical leadership.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Senior Principal Engineers in electrical engineering can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles in high-paying industries like aerospace, defense, or energy. Achieving this level often requires specialized expertise, advanced certifications, and working in senior management or executive positions.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Principal Engineers, especially in fields like software, hardware, or systems engineering, can earn $300,000 or more annually, often with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in high-demand industries such as technology and aerospace.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Principal Engineers in technology companies, especially those with expertise in software architecture, cloud infrastructure, or specialized engineering fields, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in high-growth or large organizations. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities.

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

AspectSr Principal EngineerLead Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires advanced engineering degrees and extensive experienceRequires relevant engineering degrees and proven technical expertise
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-functional projects with high-level technical influenceProject execution, team coordination, and technical leadership within projects
Industry UsageCommon in large organizations across tech, manufacturing, and engineering sectorsWidely used in tech and engineering teams for project leadership

While both roles require strong technical skills, the Sr Principal Engineer focuses on strategic technical direction and innovation, whereas the Lead Engineer emphasizes project execution and team leadership. The Sr Principal Engineer often operates at a higher organizational level, influencing multiple projects and initiatives.

More about Sr Principal Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Sr Principal Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Sr Principal Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Sr Principal Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Sr Principal Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Sr Principal Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Sr Principal Engineer jobs are:
Sr Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sr Principal Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person 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 • On-site

$132K - $181K/yr

Other

Posted 10 hours ago

Rocket Lab rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th 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.

Apply