What does a principal engineer do?

A principal engineer sets technical direction across teams, drives architectural decisions, mentors senior engineers, and often represents the engineering organization in cross-functional strategy discussions.

What is the salary for a principal engineer?

Total compensation for principal engineer roles ranges from $200k to $350k+, including base salary, equity, and bonuses. FAANG and top startups pay at the upper end.

How do I become a principal engineer?

Build a track record of leading high-impact projects, develop deep expertise in a domain, contribute to org-wide technical strategy, and demonstrate influence beyond your immediate team.

9,620+ JobsUpdated May 26, 2026

Principal Engineer Jobs

Principal Engineer roles represent the top of the individual contributor or management ladder. These positions combine deep technical expertise with organizational influence, commanding $200k–$350k+ in total compensation at leading tech companies.

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Salary Range

$31k – $270k

Top Companies

Zoo Media, Société Générale, SIIA, Scotiabank, General Dynamics Information Technology, ECS Ltd +41 more

Job Types

88% Full Time, 12% Contract

Top Locations

Washington, CA, Vienna, Los Angeles, California

Work Model

70% On-Site, 20% Hybrid, 10% Remote

Experience Levels

30% manager, 18% principal, 16% Staff

We found 9,620 principal engineer jobs currently hiring in locations including Washington, CA, Vienna. Salaries range from $31k to $270k based on experience, location, and company size. Work arrangements include On-Site (70%), Hybrid (20%), Remote (10%). Top employers include Zoo Media, Société Générale, SIIA and 44 other companies.

Companies Hiring for Principal Engineer Jobs

Zoo Media2 jobs

Société Générale2 jobs

SIIA2 jobs

Scotiabank1 job

General Dynamics Information Technology1 job

ECS Ltd1 job

+41 more companies hiring. Sign up to see all.

Career Path & Salary Progression

Lead

$42k–$68k

6 jobs

Staff

$165k–$192k

8 jobs

Director+

Salary varies

5 jobs

Latest Jobs Added

Staff Software Engineer

Scotiabank

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Principal Engineer Jobs

Companies Hiring for Principal Engineer Jobs

Career Path & Salary Progression

Latest Jobs Added

Staff Software Engineer

DevOps Automation Engineer

Director of Oil and Gas

Project Manager III (One-Year Contract)

Healthcare Project Manager

Oracle Project Manager

Project Manager, Capital Projects

Influencer Account Manager

Utilities Engineering Project Manager

Job Opportunity - Technical Content Writer in Washington DC

Lead Math Instructor / Tutor

Law Firm Practice Group Director

Program Manager (Mining)

VP, Digital Product & Ecommerce

Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Lead Machinist

School Age Sports Teacher

Principal Software Engineer

Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist, Protein Design & Modeling

Director of Production Assembly

Vice President (Manager), Finance Transformation

Vice President, Brand and Market Strategy

Vice President, Brand and Market Strategy

Program Manager (5264) (Broomfield/Boulder, CO) (Top Secret)

Staff Software Engineer, Search

Residential Construction Project Manager

Start ASAP:Fulfillment Center Order Picker(Arlington)

External Business Development Manager, NSW/ACT

Lead Public Affairs Specialist

Director of Marketing

Managing Director - Chief Compliance Officer, Capital Markets Canada

Senior Project Manager (Federal Health IT)

Lead Generation and Email Automation Setup

Telecommunications Design Engineer (TS)

Lead Teacher/Assistant Teacher

Director of Marketing

Principal Associate, Underwriting, Portfolio, and Loan Management

Vice President Agriculture & Commercial Banking

Head Chef - Chinese Cuisine

Program Manager, Public Sector – State & Local

Principal Contracts Administrator

AMD Business Development Manager - CANADA

SME DevOps Engineer

Director, Institutional Business Development & Client Relationship, Western

Project Manager - Historic Restoration & Interior Construction

Drupal Web Developer / Web Designer

Business Development Manager (BDM) – Penetration Testing (Remote)

Project Manager (Learning & Development / HR) - Hybrid role - LOCALS ONLY

Program Analyst (Risk and Audit Analyst) - Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Business Analyst Murex

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