What does a staff engineer do?

A staff 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 staff engineer?

Total compensation for staff engineer roles ranges from $180k to $320k+, including base salary, equity, and bonuses. FAANG and top startups pay at the upper end.

How do I become a staff 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 Jun 4, 2026

Staff Engineer Jobs

Staff Engineer roles represent the top of the individual contributor or management ladder. These positions combine deep technical expertise with organizational influence, commanding $180k–$320k+ in total compensation at leading tech companies.

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Salary Range

$61k – $440k

Top Companies

Lyft, Capital One, Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo, Zimmerman Associates, Inc., Pok Pok, The North West Company +39 more

Job Types

94% Full Time, 6% Contract

Top Locations

Washington, McLean, Baltimore, Bethesda

Work Model

84% On-Site, 10% Hybrid, 6% Remote

Experience Levels

32% manager, 18% Staff, 14% Director+

We found 9,620 staff engineer jobs currently hiring in locations including Washington, McLean, Baltimore. Salaries range from $61k to $440k based on experience, location, and company size. Work arrangements include On-Site (84%), Hybrid (10%), Remote (6%). Top employers include Lyft, Capital One, Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo and 42 other companies.

Companies Hiring for Staff Engineer Jobs

Lyft5 jobs

Capital One2 jobs

Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo1 job

Zimmerman Associates, Inc.1 job

Pok Pok1 job

The North West Company1 job

+39 more companies hiring. Sign up to see all.

Career Path & Salary Progression

Lead

$61k–$71k

6 jobs

Staff

$65k–$85k

9 jobs

Director+

$170k–$190k

7 jobs

Latest Jobs Added

Lead Software Engineer - Full Stack

Capital One

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Staff Engineer Jobs

Companies Hiring for Staff Engineer Jobs

Career Path & Salary Progression

Latest Jobs Added

Lead Software Engineer - Full Stack

Restaurant Server & Bartender

Lead Regulatory Data Specialist

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

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

Senior Product Manager, Growth

Director Regulatory, Environmental & Permitting

Principal / Senior Principal Production Operations

Underground Mine Manager

Business Development Manager

Chief Engineer, Hypersonics Integration & Technology

Middle Market Technology Underwriter/ Account Executive Officer

Marketing Director, Brand and Creative

Project Manager (BI & SaaS) - Remote - Contract

Project Manager (18 Months Contract)

Telecommunication Engineering / Project Lead

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER LIEUTENANT (Environmental Compliance and Safety Officer

Program Manager - Community & Social Services

Senior Environmental Scientist/Project Manager

Senior Product Manager - Aviation

Director of Accounting

Lead Infant /Toddler Educator

Project Manager- Furniture

Director, Education Project

Customer Success Executive - Cell & Gene Therapy

Director, Cloud Security Architecture & Engineering

Director of Downstream Process Development > Joboolo FR

JD Store Management - Tyson's Corner Center, McLean, VA

Interim Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis

Head of Engineering

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