How to hire a principal engineer

How to hire a principal engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step principal engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a principal engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new principal engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a principal engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The principal engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A principal engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, principal engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of principal engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Principal Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Principal Engineer	Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.	$45-85
   Team Lead Engineer	A team leads engineer is in charge of spearheading and overseeing the efforts of an engineering team, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Although the duties may depend on one's industry of employment, it typically includes designing and developing systems according to project requirements, setting objectives and construction guidelines, delegating tasks, managing budgets and schedules, and monitoring the workflow, performing corrective measures as needed... Show more	$40-75
   Lead Design Engineer	A Lead Design Engineer produces design solutions that can be purchased, installed, and commissioned effectively. They are also responsible for the cost-effectiviness and safety of new designs.	$39-68

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Java
   • Architecture
   • Python
   • Software Development
   • Azure
   • Linux
   • Project Management
   • Product Development
   • Windows
   • JavaScript
   • Technical Leadership
   • DOD
   • API
   • QA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop test plans and procedures, and lead the test effort on Windows.CE porting.
   • Provide analytical direction, reasoning, and manage lipid extraction experiments done as a team.
   • Identify, develop and implement action items to manage & improve software releases and develop guidelines in JavaScript coding.
   • Lead a group of 9 engineers responsible for technology development for handling electronic packages (computer CPU) during HVM.
   • Provide consultation to the ISO team in achieving certification, and enable company to win many more deals as a result.
   • Create process control systems in LabView.

   More principal engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your principal engineer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A principal engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a principal engineer in Iowa may be lower than in California, and an entry-level principal engineer usually earns less than a senior-level principal engineer. Additionally, a principal engineer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average principal engineer salary

   $130,213yearly

   $62.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level principal engineer salary

   $95,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average principal engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$157,181	$76
   2	District of Columbia	$138,189	$66
   3	Washington	$135,775	$65
   4	Massachusetts	$130,277	$63
   5	Arizona	$128,815	$62
   6	Oregon	$127,123	$61
   7	Texas	$126,077	$61
   8	Maine	$123,943	$60
   9	Michigan	$112,330	$54
   10	Pennsylvania	$111,835	$54
   11	Florida	$111,446	$54
   12	New York	$110,946	$53
   13	Georgia	$109,641	$53
   14	Colorado	$109,246	$53
   15	Illinois	$109,235	$53
   16	North Carolina	$102,145	$49
   17	Minnesota	$102,071	$49
   18	Ohio	$99,563	$48
   19	Indiana	$96,677	$46
   20	Wisconsin	$92,543	$44

   Average principal engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Grubhub	$175,868	$84.55	6
   2	Google	$174,934	$84.10	801
   3	eBay	$173,285	$83.31	45
   4	ICE Mortgage Technology	$170,857	$82.14
   5	CrowdStrike	$170,753	$82.09	57
   6	Stitch Fix	$170,612	$82.03	9
   7	Zendesk	$168,910	$81.21
   8	Reddit	$168,051	$80.79	42
   9	PayPal	$166,656	$80.12	84
   10	Crackle	$166,257	$79.93
   11	Nike	$165,637	$79.63	42
   12	Pinterest	$165,556	$79.59	73
   13	Medallia	$165,332	$79.49
   14	Hearst	$164,614	$79.14	15
   15	RichRelevance	$164,170	$78.93
   16	Atlassian	$163,457	$78.59	66
   17	Zenefits	$162,821	$78.28
   18	Automation Anywhere	$162,168	$77.97
   19	Rivian	$162,058	$77.91	76
   20	Integral Ad Science	$162,032	$77.90	7

4. Writing a principal engineer job description

   A principal engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a principal engineer job description:

   Principal engineer job description example

   You will be responsible for developing and applying new technologies, theories and research techniques in the investigation and solutions of complex and advanced technical problems. This position will also provide technical consultation to other organizations, work in leadership positions on projects and work directly with our customers to identify and apply new refrigeration technologies in pilot testing situations. This position reports to the Leader Performance Sub-Systems NTD.
   
   Perform thermodynamic modeling and physical prototype testing for new refrigeration technologies and system architectures.
   Match new technologies to market needs and opportunities resulting in substantial business growth. Develop new specialized or leading-edge technology within the Company or industry that provides a competitive advantage. Perfect existing specialized technology. Achievements should include several patents and technical publications Evaluate Commercial Refrigeration concepts, design conceptual prototypes, build prototypes, test, and evolve the technology readiness on these concepts. Manage projects requiring multiple components and sub-systems integration within global Hussmann. Lead cross-function teams responsible for completing large system projects having strategic platform impact Handle preparation and presentation on technical evaluation of concepts to audiences of varied technical expertise.
   Qualifications:
   BS in Engineering discipline Preferable MS degree in a technical discipline 10+ years of directly related engineering experience in commercial refrigeration with an emphasis on systems design, applications and thermodynamics. Experience leading mechanical design projects adhering to department goals and standards. Expert technical understanding and design knowledge of refrigeration systems and components, including but not limited to trans-critical CO2, and new, alternate refrigerant technologies and system architectures. Knowledge and experience in governmental regulations with experience and direct interactions with agencies such as the US Dept. of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency on the development of standards and regulations. Knowledge and experience in the development and application of UL product standards and ASHRAE/ANSI/AHRI standards and methods of test for commercial refrigeration. Experience in the generation and protection of Intellectual Property related to refrigeration systems. Excellent time management and organizational skills. 25% travel (some international)
   You will be eligible for a hybrid-remote work schedule
   
   Our organization offers benefits that are the best fit for you at every stage of your career:
   
   Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Health, Dental and Vision, 401k with Company Matching Contribution, Discretionary 401k Company Contribution, Tuition Reimbursement Program, Life/Disability Insurance, Family Leave, Panasonic Employee Discounts, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Wellness Program, Identity Protection, Community Stewardship, Employee Assistance Program and more
   
   Hussmann is a subsidiary of Panasonic USA. Finding a better way has always been the Hussmann way. Since 1906, our focus on innovation has helped food retailers succeed. We hold over a 122 U.S. patents as well as 320 international patents from more than a dozen countries. We collaborate with customers across a variety of food retail segments as we work towards fulfilling a promise for better businesses, better partners, and a better world.
   
   Hussmann is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to veteran status, disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, or any other non-merit based factor.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find principal engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your principal engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit principal engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with principal engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new principal engineer

   Once you've selected the best principal engineer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new principal engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a principal engineer?