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.

8,015+ JobsUpdated May 29, 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

Robert Half, Sherpa 6, Inc., T-Mobile, Google, MultiCare Health System, Aldi +40 more

Job Types

94% Full Time, 4% Contract, 2% Internship

Top Locations

Washington, CA, Arlington, Reston

Work Model

84% On-Site, 16% Hybrid

Experience Levels

24% Staff, 18% principal, 18% manager

We found 8,015 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 (84%), Hybrid (16%). Top employers include Robert Half, Sherpa 6, Inc., T-Mobile and 43 other companies.

Companies Hiring for Staff Engineer Jobs

Robert Half2 jobs

Sherpa 6, Inc.2 jobs

T-Mobile2 jobs

Google2 jobs

MultiCare Health System1 job

Aldi1 job

+40 more companies hiring. Sign up to see all.

Career Path & Salary Progression

Lead

Salary varies

6 jobs

Staff

$90k–$140k

12 jobs

Director+

$75k–$80k

4 jobs

Latest Jobs Added

AVP Real Estate Strategy & Operations

MultiCare Health System

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Staff Engineer Jobs

Companies Hiring for Staff Engineer Jobs

Career Path & Salary Progression

Latest Jobs Added

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

Director of Downstream Process Development > Ontario > Joboolo FR

Principal Operations Program Manager, Global SOC

Data Scientists - Finance

Auto General Service Technician

(USA) Staff Pharmacist #1890

Principal Enterprise Account Manager, Travel & Hospitality

Lead Database & Geographic Information System (GIS) Geologist

Field Municipal Staff Engineer

Chief UAS Pilot

Technology Optimization and Platform Solutions Manager

Head of Compliance

Assistant Director of Health and Wellness

Public Policy Advisor

Sales Part-Time II (Weekends Needed!)

Telecommunications Design Engineer (TS)

Chief of Staff, Operations, Public Sector

Fire Chief

Director, Risk Reporting and Relationship Management

Project Executive - Engineering & Construction (Renewable Energy)

Full Stack Developer, Lead

Business Development Manager, Defence - Canada

ServiceNow Administrator

Project Manager and Client Account Leader — Mining & Minerals

Chief Compliance Officer

Lead Instructional Coach, Alpha - , USD

Principal AI Product Manager, Technical

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