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BoehringerPRD

The Senior Principal Engineer, Automation will serve as an Automation Process-specific Subject Matter Expert (SME) for one or more aspects of the aseptic manufacturing process System Integration ...

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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:
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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 Engineer / Sr. Principal Engineer - Structural Design

Principal Engineer / Sr. Principal Engineer - Structural Design

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Palmdale, CA • On-site

$116K - $213K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 342 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 520 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
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.
Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Principal Engineer Structural Design / Sr. Principal Engineer Structural Design.The position is based in Oklahoma City, OK; Palmdale, CA; or Whiteman AFB, MO.
Essential Functions:
  • Work in a high-paced team environment to support program goals and schedule.
  • Develop solutions to difficult problems that are thorough, imaginative, practical, and consistent with program objectives.
  • Provide MRB dispositions for primary and secondary structures.
  • Evaluate as-built products for conformity to standards, procedures, and specifications.
  • Clearly communicate and coordinate with other disciplines during the development of design solutions.
  • Present and explain structural issues and solutions to internal management and customer representatives concisely.
  • Utilize computer-aided design (CAD) equipment and technical applications such as CATIA and Teamcenter.
  • Develop layouts, sketches, and blueprints and investigate design factors such as damage tolerance, durability, design allowables, and structural modeling.
  • Identify design errors or deficiencies and make recommendations for changes.

This position can be filled at an Principal Engineer Structural Design / Sr. Principal Engineer Structural Design level.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Principal Engineer level : Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and a minimum of 5 years of experience in Aerospace structural design OR an MS degree in STEM with 3 years of related experience
  • Senior Principal Engineer level: Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of experience in Aerospace structural design OR an MS degree in STEM with 6 years of related experience OR a PhD in STEM and 0 years of related experience
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret or Top Secret Clearance as well as Program Special Access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
  • Experience in the design of bonded composite primary and secondary aircraft structures.
  • High level of proficiency using Unigraphics Nx or CATIA V5 in the development of aircraft structures and components

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active in-scope Secret or Top Secret clearance (last investigation within 5 years).
  • Experience working on Special Access Programs.
  • Experience working on military aircraft.
  • 5 years or more aerospace structural design experience using CATIA.

Primary Level Salary Range: $93,300.00 - $171,000.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $116,300.00 - $213,400.00
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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