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 12, 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

$75k – $240k

Top Companies

GOOD360, HDR, The Parlor Magazine, Riveron, GAP Solutions, Inc., BMO +41 more

Job Types

98% Full Time, 2% Contract

Top Locations

Washington, CA, Alexandria, Arlington

Work Model

72% On-Site, 22% Hybrid, 6% Remote

Experience Levels

32% principal, 20% Staff, 18% manager

We found 9,620 staff engineer jobs currently hiring in locations including Washington, CA, Alexandria. Salaries range from $75k to $240k based on experience, location, and company size. Work arrangements include On-Site (72%), Hybrid (22%), Remote (6%). Top employers include GOOD360, HDR, The Parlor Magazine and 44 other companies.

Companies Hiring for Staff Engineer Jobs

GOOD3602 jobs

HDR2 jobs

The Parlor Magazine2 jobs

Riveron1 job

GAP Solutions, Inc.1 job

BMO1 job

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

Career Path & Salary Progression

Lead

$80k–$90k

7 jobs

Staff

$129k–$175k

10 jobs

Director+

Salary varies

4 jobs

Latest Jobs Added

Lead Graphic Designer

GOOD360

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Staff Engineer Jobs

Companies Hiring for Staff Engineer Jobs

Career Path & Salary Progression

Latest Jobs Added

Lead Graphic Designer

Technology and Innovation - Lead to Cash Delivery Lead (Salesforce)

Army Logistics SME

Team Lead - Technology

Business Development Manager - Transportation and Infrastructure

Quality Control Inspector

Post-Doctoral Fellow (SRI) - Biological Sciences - Temporary Full-time

Customer Care Representative, Wholesale Customer Centre - Victoria

Staff Privacy Analyst - HYBRID

Head of Financial Planning Analysis

Interim Vice President – Finance Integration project

Shop Mechanic

Science Writer (Infectious Diseases)

Principal Structural Geologist

Team Lead, LED Screen Motion Gfx Designer

Lead Graphic Designer

Industrial Wastewater Program Lead - Oil, Gas and Chemicals Practice

Principal Full Stack Web Developer (Remote)

Project Manager Engineering (F/H)

Team Lead - Cloud DevOps Engineer

Workers' Compensation Analyst III Claims Adjuster

School Social Worker

Principal Front End Engineer

Business Development Manager, National East (Independent Contractor)

CBRN Technical Architect

Sales Development Representative

Executive Admin Asst IV, Chief of Schools (INTERNAL ONLY)

Head of Public Relations

Continuity of Operations Specialist

Director, Innovation

Director, Structured Finance

Project Manager with Security Clearance

Head of Human Resources

Lead Policy Analyst (Hybrid)

Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Project Manager

Lead Software Engineer, Full Stack (Python, Java, AWS, CI/CD, GenAI)

Assistant Director Of Digital Media And Partnerships job at in Washington, DC

Industrial Wastewater Program Lead - Oil, Gas and Chemicals Practice

Early Career or Mid-Career Principal Investigator

Talent Acquisition Operations Program Manager

Vice President, Head of Product

Program Manager, Law Enforcement Operations

Photojournalism Fellow

Community Reporter Fellow

VP, Finance Data & Digital Enablement

National Contract Logistics Quality & Regulatory Manager

Communications Program Manager

Program Manager, Marketing

Director, Solutions Architecture – National Security, Worldwide Public Sector

Summer Delivery Driver & Shop Labourer

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