How to hire a principal process engineer

How to hire a principal process engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step principal process 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 process engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new principal process engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a principal process engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a principal process engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A principal process engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, principal process 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 process engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Principal Process Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Principal Process Engineer	Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.	$44-82
   Manufacturing Engineering Internship	A manufacturing engineering intern is responsible for assisting the manufacturing engineers on the plant's daily operations, analyzing the manufacturing process and procedures, and recommending strategic solutions to maximize productivity and minimize costs. Manufacturing engineering interns shadow the production staff, inspect the tools and equipment of the manufacturing, analyze the quality control documentation, and perform related administrative tasks to familiarize themselves with the plant structure... Show more	$19-32
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Process Engineering
   • Continuous Improvement
   • Engineering Design
   • RF
   • Process Control
   • Process Improvement
   • Principal Process
   • Technical Support
   • Sigma
   • Data Analysis
   • Process Equipment
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • Process Design
   • SPC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage customer complaint resolution, root cause analysis, maintaining conformance for ISO certification.
   • Utilize SolidWorks 3D modeling in the development of new designs and components.
   • Generate detailed manufacturing process descriptions to meet FDA and global documentation requirements for medical device manufacturing.
   • Develop a method to get AutoCad isometric drawings relevant to relief valve transferred electronically to the relief valve sizing package.
   • Develop and refine device life models base on first-principles material degradation effects within ring laser gyro electronics.

   More principal process engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your principal process engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A principal process engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, principal process engineers' average salary in alaska is 37% less than in arizona.
   • Seniority. Entry-level principal process engineers 46% less than senior-level principal process engineers.
   • Certifications. A principal process engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a principal process engineer's salary.

   Average principal process engineer salary

   $126,348yearly

   $60.74 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level principal process engineer salary

   $93,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average principal process engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Arizona	$160,745	$77
   2	Texas	$154,295	$74
   3	Washington	$152,604	$73
   4	California	$152,473	$73
   5	Massachusetts	$139,720	$67
   6	Connecticut	$129,604	$62
   7	Oklahoma	$128,516	$62
   8	Missouri	$125,212	$60
   9	Utah	$122,699	$59
   10	Minnesota	$122,580	$59
   11	Colorado	$121,722	$59
   12	Ohio	$119,813	$58
   13	Illinois	$118,897	$57
   14	New Hampshire	$115,095	$55
   15	New York	$108,819	$52
   16	Pennsylvania	$108,645	$52

   Average principal process engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Google	$163,661	$78.68	40
   2	Micron Technology	$146,376	$70.37	72
   3	Amazon	$142,904	$68.70	626
   4	BNY Mellon	$141,735	$68.14
   5	Texas Instruments	$139,404	$67.02	41
   6	Occidental Petroleum	$139,365	$67.00	7
   7	SAP	$136,100	$65.43	70
   8	Moderna	$135,231	$65.01	2
   9	Abiomed	$134,177	$64.51
   10	Conexant	$133,763	$64.31
   11	AbbVie	$131,486	$63.21	55
   12	Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates	$131,149	$63.05
   13	United Therapeutics	$129,907	$62.46
   14	Technip USA Corporation	$129,829	$62.42
   15	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$129,759	$62.38	33
   16	CPS Recruitment	$129,517	$62.27
   17	Randstad North America, Inc.	$128,706	$61.88
   18	Lummus	$128,653	$61.85
   19	Nunhems U.S.	$128,421	$61.74	17
   20	EnLink Midstream Partners, LP	$128,257	$61.66

4. Writing a principal process engineer job description

   A good principal process engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a principal process engineer job description:

   Principal process engineer job description example

   Are you looking for a change from your current role? Ready to get more involved in the fast-growing energy transition sector? Know that you can make a difference and accomplish more? Come join us!
   
   This role will report to the Technical Director and will be a pivotal part of the foundation of our growing team.
   
   The Lisbon Group provides services within three primary core competencies: Engineering, EPC project execution and management, and Operations Services. We use our recognized expertise in upstream, midstream and LNG production facilities to provide full multi-disciplinary engineering services, EPC Contracting, and operational services. We are a learning organization and take the lessons learned from the projects we complete to continuously improve each of our core competencies.
   What You Will Do Deliver hands-on engineering services including developing and maintaining internal standards and work practices, taking accountability of process engineering deliverable production, and ensuring quality across multiple projects Develop and take ownership for project Basis of Designs (BoD) Develop and manage key process philosophies (relief and blowdown, isolation for maintenance, emergency isolation, operation and controls, sparing and training) Generate and assume accountability for PFD, PID’s, UFD’s, DPDT, C&E and associated core documents Create and maintain corporate process engineering calculations and standards (e.g. relief valve sizing, line sizing, application of margin, simulation standards, etc.) Support specification and procurement of equipment such as rotating equipment and heat exchangers, air-cooled exchangers, vessels, filters, plate fin exchangers, and columns Develop and approve equipment datasheets Produce engineering report and technical note writing
   Minimum Qualifications We are an engineering and EPC contractor- a career dedicated to engineering contracting and EPC project execution is required to be successful. 15+ years related offshore and onshore upstream, midstream, or LNG facility experience with engineering contractor (required) Bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering or related field (required) Proven ability and interest in generating, checking and approving core engineering deliverables described above in a timely / professional manner (required) Experience developing and owning engineering reports, creating and documenting, engineering calculations, summary reports and PowerPoint slide decks (required) A proven ability to guide, coach and support the development of senior-level through graduate-level process engineers (required) Strong written and verbal communication skills (required) Ability to interact effectively with vendors and clients (approximately 90% of your work involves internal interaction - 10% external) International experience - we execute work across the globe (beneficial) Field experience including construction, commissioning, start-up, and operational support (beneficial)
   What’s In It for You? Direct access to the leaders of the company as you work to make important decisions on project and client strategies The ability to directly influence engineering standards, project success and project delivery Set a course for a career in the fast-growing energy transition sector: be a part of the growth of The Lisbon Group, build your brand and continued career growth in the Energy and Energy Transition Sectors Rare ability to support projects across their life cycle: end-to-end visibility from feasibility, execution and operations
   Pay/Benefits On-site (Houston or Seattle) Competitive compensation 401(k) Lisbon Group covers 100% of employee (employee only) insurance premiums for the following healthcare benefits: Health, Dental, Vision Flexible schedule Short-term disability Long-term disability Optional Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave
   Job Type: Full-time
   Schedule: Monday to Friday (though making self-available after hours when necessary)
   We'd love to speak to you if you think you'd be a good fit!
   Who We Are Our Mission is Simple: We exceed customer expectations by providing exceptional engineering services and technologies. Located in Houston and the Pacific Northwest, we engineer fit-for-purpose solutions that maximize value. Our dedicated staff of industry leading professionals provide consistent customer-centric and market driven solutions. We’re currently a privately held company. Our Values: Global Expert. Trusted Partner. It’s not simply a tag line. It’s what we believe in as a business and as individuals. Our client’s partner with to us for technical expertise and industry-specific knowledge, our track record of successful delivery, and our flexibility and creativity.
   EEO/AA Information: Lisbon Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right principal process engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your principal process engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit principal process 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 process 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 process engineer

   Once you've selected the best principal process 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new principal process engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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