H-1B Visa Principal R&D Engineer Jobs
Principal R&D Engineer jobs typically qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, or a closely related technical field. Employers sponsor H-1B status for up to three years, extendable to six, covering R&D roles across industries from aerospace to biotech.
Find H-1B Visa Principal R&D Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 515+ Principal R&D Engineer jobs
See all 515+ Principal R&D Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Principal R&D Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Sr. Principal R&D Engineer
Posting Start Date: 10/27/26
Job Location(s): Richardson
If you are looking for a challenging and exciting career in the world of technology, then look no further. Skyworks is an innovator of high-performance analog semiconductors whose solutions are powering the wireless networking revolution. Through our broad technology expertise and one of the most extensive product portfolios in the industry, we are Connecting Everyone and Everything, All the Time.
At Skyworks, you will find a fast-paced environment with a strong focus on global collaboration, minimal layers of management, and the freedom to make meaningful contributions in a setting that encourages creative thinking. We are excited about the opportunity to work with you and glad you want to be part of a team of talented individuals who together are changing the way the world communicates.
Requisition ID: 78941
Description
We are seeking a distinguished semiconductor technology leader with a unique blend of deep theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and strategic vision. This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing our device technology roadmap, ensuring successful development, release, and adoption of cutting-edge solutions.
Responsibilities
Key Qualities and Attributes
- Minimum of a BSEE and 5-10+ years' work experience
- Strategic, analytical, and innovative mindset
- Strong communication skills for technical and executive audiences
- Collaborative and influential across technical and business domains
- Highly adaptable and resourceful in dynamic environment
Critical Thinking and Decision-Making
- Exceptional ability to separate noise from truth at all stages of technology development and introduction
- Data-driven approach to risk assessment and decision-making
Strategic Vision Across Technology Lifecycle
- Strategic thinker from conception to release to adoption, ensuring alignment with market needs and long-term business objectives
Required Experience and Skills
- Technical Depth and Breadth
- Strong theoretical foundation in semiconductor physics and device engineering
- Extensive hands-on experience in developing and releasing advanced device technologies, particularly GaN, with complementary expertise in GaAs, InP, and other compound semiconductors
- Cross-Functional Influence
- Proven ability to interact and influence diverse groups, including:
- R&D Device Development
- Integration and Operations
- RF Modeling and Circuit Design
- Reliability Engineering
- Business Development, Marketing, and Sales
- Capable of delivering detailed technical talks for engineering teams and strategic overviews for business stakeholders
Desired Experience and Skills
- Hands-On Resourcefulness
- Comfortable bridging strategy and execution:
- Writing software
- Analyzing complex datasets
- Setting up new test systems and performing measurements
- Thrives in both leadership and technical roles
- Industry Leadership and Recognition
- Established reputation in the device technology community:
- IEEE reviewer
- Conference chair/co-chair
- Committee member
- Frequent invited speaker
- Demonstrated thought leadership and contribution to advancing semiconductor technologies
The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is currently USD $135,900 - $295,000 per year. Starting base pay will depend on relevant experience and skills, training and education, business needs, market demands, the ultimate job duties and requirements, and work location. Skyworks has different base pay ranges for different work locations in the U.S. Benefits include access to healthcare benefits (including a premium-free medical plan option), a 401(k) plan and company match, an employee stock purchase plan, paid time off (including vacation, sick/wellness, parental leave), among others. Employees are eligible to participate in an incentive plan, and certain roles are also eligible for additional awards, including recognition and stock. These incentives and awards are based on individual and/or company performance.
Skyworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Skyworks strives to create an accessible workplace; if you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@skyworksinc.com.
Apply now
Job Title: Sr. Principal R&D Engineer
Posting Start Date: 10/27/26
Job Location(s): Richardson
If you are looking for a challenging and exciting career in the world of technology, then look no further. Skyworks is an innovator of high-performance analog semiconductors whose solutions are powering the wireless networking revolution. Through our broad technology expertise and one of the most extensive product portfolios in the industry, we are Connecting Everyone and Everything, All the Time.
At Skyworks, you will find a fast-paced environment with a strong focus on global collaboration, minimal layers of management, and the freedom to make meaningful contributions in a setting that encourages creative thinking. We are excited about the opportunity to work with you and glad you want to be part of a team of talented individuals who together are changing the way the world communicates.
Requisition ID: 78941
Description
We are seeking a distinguished semiconductor technology leader with a unique blend of deep theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and strategic vision. This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing our device technology roadmap, ensuring successful development, release, and adoption of cutting-edge solutions.
Responsibilities
Key Qualities and Attributes
- Minimum of a BSEE and 5-10+ years' work experience
- Strategic, analytical, and innovative mindset
- Strong communication skills for technical and executive audiences
- Collaborative and influential across technical and business domains
- Highly adaptable and resourceful in dynamic environment
Critical Thinking and Decision-Making
- Exceptional ability to separate noise from truth at all stages of technology development and introduction
- Data-driven approach to risk assessment and decision-making
Strategic Vision Across Technology Lifecycle
- Strategic thinker from conception to release to adoption, ensuring alignment with market needs and long-term business objectives
Required Experience and Skills
- Technical Depth and Breadth
- Strong theoretical foundation in semiconductor physics and device engineering
- Extensive hands-on experience in developing and releasing advanced device technologies, particularly GaN, with complementary expertise in GaAs, InP, and other compound semiconductors
- Cross-Functional Influence
- Proven ability to interact and influence diverse groups, including:
- R&D Device Development
- Integration and Operations
- RF Modeling and Circuit Design
- Reliability Engineering
- Business Development, Marketing, and Sales
- Capable of delivering detailed technical talks for engineering teams and strategic overviews for business stakeholders
Desired Experience and Skills
- Hands-On Resourcefulness
- Comfortable bridging strategy and execution:
- Writing software
- Analyzing complex datasets
- Setting up new test systems and performing measurements
- Thrives in both leadership and technical roles
- Industry Leadership and Recognition
- Established reputation in the device technology community:
- IEEE reviewer
- Conference chair/co-chair
- Committee member
- Frequent invited speaker
- Demonstrated thought leadership and contribution to advancing semiconductor technologies
The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is currently USD $135,900 - $295,000 per year. Starting base pay will depend on relevant experience and skills, training and education, business needs, market demands, the ultimate job duties and requirements, and work location. Skyworks has different base pay ranges for different work locations in the U.S. Benefits include access to healthcare benefits (including a premium-free medical plan option), a 401(k) plan and company match, an employee stock purchase plan, paid time off (including vacation, sick/wellness, parental leave), among others. Employees are eligible to participate in an incentive plan, and certain roles are also eligible for additional awards, including recognition and stock. These incentives and awards are based on individual and/or company performance.
Skyworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Skyworks strives to create an accessible workplace; if you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@skyworksinc.com.
Apply now
See all 515+ H-1B Visa Principal R&D Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Principal R&D Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Principal R&D Engineer
Align your credentials to SOC codes
Principal R&D Engineer roles map to multiple SOC codes depending on discipline. Pull your occupation's O*NET profile to confirm the degree fields DOL associates with that code before your employer files the LCA, since a credential mismatch can trigger an RFE.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Search Migrate Mate to find employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history for engineering and R&D roles. Companies that file regularly have established internal processes, which shortens the time between offer and petition submission significantly.
Verify your worksite LCA coverage early
If your R&D role involves multiple lab locations or client sites, each worksite needs its own certified LCA. Raise this with your employer before the offer stage so they can account for additional DOL filings without delaying your start date.
Use OFLC Wage Search to anchor salary conversations
Run your job title and worksite ZIP through the OFLC Wage Search to find the prevailing wage for your SOC code and experience level. Knowing the Level III or Level IV wage tier before negotiations prevents offers that USCIS would flag during LCA review.
Request premium processing before project deadlines
Principal R&D roles often carry hard project launch dates. Ask your employer to file Form I-907 for premium processing so USCIS adjudicates your I-129 petition within 15 business days, giving you a confirmed start date you can commit to.
Document specialized expertise in your support letter
An employer support letter for a Principal R&D Engineer should detail the specific technical domain, the advanced degree requirement, and duties that go beyond general engineering. Vague letters invite RFEs; concrete descriptions of proprietary methods and specialized knowledge strengthen specialty occupation arguments.
H-1B Visa Principal R&D Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal R&D Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Principal R&D Engineer positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, or a directly related technical field, which satisfies USCIS's specialty occupation definition. The key is that the employer's job description must tie the role's core duties to that specific degree requirement, not treat the degree as a general preference.
How do I find employers actively sponsoring H-1B visas for R&D engineering roles?
Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history in engineering and research disciplines. Because Principal R&D Engineers are senior contributors tied to long product cycles, companies in aerospace, semiconductor, biotech, and advanced manufacturing tend to sponsor most consistently. Filtering by role and industry on Migrate Mate helps you focus your applications accordingly.
What happens to my H-1B status if my employer restructures or eliminates my R&D program?
If your employer terminates your position, your H-1B status ends and you enter a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsoring employer, change status, or leave the country. A new employer must file a fresh I-129 petition before your grace period expires. USCIS requires the new petition to be received, not just mailed, within that 60-day window.
Can my employer transfer my H-1B to a different R&D lab or worksite?
Not automatically. Each worksite where you work for more than 30 days requires its own certified LCA listing the correct prevailing wage for that location. If your employer moves your work to a new city or facility, they must file and receive DOL certification for the new worksite LCA before you begin working there, or they risk a wage and hour violation.
How does H-1B cap selection affect my job search timeline as an R&D engineer?
The H-1B cap and selection rules have changed recently, so the specific mechanics you may have read about elsewhere could be outdated. Check USCIS for current registration timelines. One important strategy for R&D roles: target universities, national laboratories, and nonprofit research institutions, since those employers are cap-exempt and can file year-round without entering the annual selection process.