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 2, 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

$48k – $269k

Top Companies

CGS Federal (Contact Government Services), Robert Half, Sherpa 6, Inc., Travere Therapeutics, Global Partners, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada +41 more

Job Types

94% Full Time, 6% Contract

Top Locations

Washington, CA, Arlington, Alexandria

Work Model

88% On-Site, 12% Hybrid

Experience Levels

36% manager, 18% principal, 14% Staff

We found 9,620 staff engineer jobs currently hiring in locations including Washington, CA, Arlington. Salaries range from $48k to $269k based on experience, location, and company size. Work arrangements include On-Site (88%), Hybrid (12%). Top employers include CGS Federal (Contact Government Services), Robert Half, Sherpa 6, Inc. and 44 other companies.

Companies Hiring for Staff Engineer Jobs

CGS Federal (Contact Government Services)2 jobs

Robert Half2 jobs

Sherpa 6, Inc.2 jobs

Travere Therapeutics1 job

Global Partners1 job

Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada1 job

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

Career Path & Salary Progression

Lead

Salary varies

6 jobs

Staff

Salary varies

7 jobs

Director+

$65k–$85k

3 jobs

Latest Jobs Added

Director, Global Compensation

Travere Therapeutics

2w ago

Assistant Store Manager

Global Partners

2w ago

Principal, Audit and Assurance

Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada

2w ago

Law Clerk (5795) with Security Clearance

Three Saints Bay, LLC

2w ago

SAP SuccessFactors Business Development Manager- 100% REMOTE

GP Strategies Government Solutions Inc

2w ago

Also searching for: sde, swe, developer, programmer, software engineer, software developer

601–650 of 9,620 jobs

2w ago

Director, Global Compensation

Travere Therapeutics·Washington, District of Columbia, US

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Staff Engineer Jobs

Companies Hiring for Staff Engineer Jobs

Career Path & Salary Progression

Latest Jobs Added

Director, Global Compensation

Assistant Store Manager

Principal, Audit and Assurance

Law Clerk (5795) with Security Clearance

SAP Business Development Manager- 100% REMOTE

Senior Construction Project Manager

Project Manager (Software Consulting)

Plumber 4 - Washington, D.C. with Security Clearance

Sales Manager / Business Development Manager

Project Manager, Media Operation

Senior Project Manager

Project Manager - General Contracting

Event Security Guard - Nationals Park

Director - Early Childhood Education

Python Developer (AWS and Cap Market/Financial)

Lead Product Manager – AI & Strategic Initiatives

Lead Financial Analyst

Senior FOIA Disclosure Product Manager with Security Clearance

IT Project Manager with Security Clearance

Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Program Manager - Standards Development, LNG & Downstream

Program Manager, Digital Customer Success

Intermediate Brand and Website Project Manager

Recruiter II (Onsite)

CTO Clean tech

Director of Digital Product & Growth

AVP Real Estate Strategy & Operations

Tax Staff - Public

Full-Time Store Manager Trainee

Data Scientist Principal

Project Manager with Security Clearance

Dealer Development Manager, SecureDrive - Alberta (Business Development,

Director/Senior Director of Compliance

Risk Manager

Project Manager

Lead hand/labourer - Carpenter

Group Chief Technology Officer Reston, VA, USA

Lead Data Scientist

Chief of Party, USDA Food for Progress, Bolivia

Executive Advisor - Power & Utilities

Lead Full Stack Engineer- Secret Clearance Required with Security Clearance

Vice President of Hospitality & Logistics

Chief Compliance Officer at Silver Spring, MD

Reconstruction Project Manager - Entry Level

Vice President, Software Engineering & Platform Management

is hiring: Hybrid Remote Drupal Web Developer & UI Designer (DC)

Apprentice Electrician 309 Level 4 & 5

Team Lead, Senior Software Engineer

Auto Mechanic/Technician-B & Up-MD Inspector License a Plus- +/yr (WALDORF)

Project Manager Internal

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