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.

11,896+ JobsUpdated Jun 4, 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

$65k – $440k

Top Companies

Lyft, Capital One, FIBERTEK, INC., Poseidon Aerospace, EIG, Amazon Web Services, Inc. +37 more

Job Types

98% Full Time, 2% Contract

Top Locations

Washington, McLean, Arlington, CA

Work Model

96% On-Site, 2% Remote, 2% Hybrid

Experience Levels

22% Lead, 22% manager, 20% Staff

We found 11,896 principal engineer jobs currently hiring in locations including Washington, McLean, Arlington. Salaries range from $65k to $440k based on experience, location, and company size. Work arrangements include On-Site (96%), Remote (2%), Hybrid (2%). Top employers include Lyft, Capital One, FIBERTEK, INC. and 40 other companies.

Companies Hiring for Principal Engineer Jobs

Lyft6 jobs

Capital One3 jobs

FIBERTEK, INC.1 job

Poseidon Aerospace1 job

EIG1 job

Amazon Web Services, Inc.1 job

+37 more companies hiring. Sign up to see all.

Career Path & Salary Progression

Lead

Salary varies

11 jobs

Staff

$73k–$94k

10 jobs

Director+

$170k–$190k

7 jobs

Latest Jobs Added

Lead Aerospace Payload Systems Engineer

FIBERTEK, INC.

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Principal Engineer Jobs

Companies Hiring for Principal Engineer Jobs

Career Path & Salary Progression

Latest Jobs Added

Lead Aerospace Payload Systems Engineer

Product Manager, Risk Tech - Claims

Director of Government Relations

AVP: Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis

Lead Software Engineer, Back End

AWS Principal Enterprise Account Manager, Travel & Hospitality

Project Manager & Lead Instructional Designer

Data Network Engineer, TS/SCI and Poly

Lead Platform Engineer (DevOps & MLOps)

Firefighter II- EMT Trainee ( ,000 Sign-on-Bonus) Written Exam & WPE Scheduled

Lead Product Marketing Manager

Staff Accountant

Temporary Talent Acquisition Specialist

Director, Digital Marketing

Director of FP&A

Executive Administrative Assistant IV

Acquisition-Business Development Manager, West- Cleaning Industry

Customer Success, Retention

Lead Systems Engineer (IWS X)

Lead Software Engineer - Full Stack

Restaurant Server & Bartender

Lead Regulatory Data Specialist

Principal Quantum Scientist

Director of Artificial Intelligence

Head of Brand

Lead Pharmacy Technician

Staff Frontend Engineer (Remote)

Compliance Third-Party Risk Management Program Manager at Washington DC

VoIP Network Engineer (Video, Voice)

Telecommunications Project Manager (TS/SCI)

Editor in Chief

Head of Advocacy and Communications

Lead Line Technician / Lineman - Muskoka, ON

DJS COMMUNITY DETENTION OFFICER I (Repost)

Director of Performance Marketing - Hotel - Remote role

Staff Growth Product Manager, Business

Staff Growth Product Manager, Business

Senior Engineering Manager, Mapping

Staff Accountant, CPA

Product Manager, Driver Earnings

Product Manager, Driver Earnings

Director of Client Relations - Nuclear

Vice President, Client Management

Lead Electrical and Instrumentation Quality Control Inspector

Senior Manager, Project Manager - Global Payment Network Product Solutions

Global Payroll Staff Accountant

Lead Forward Deployed Engineer, Frontier GenAI

Chief Science Officer

SVP, Customer Success and Operations

Assistant General Manager - GCT

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