Principal Engineer Jobs in California
Principal Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, aerospace, semiconductors, and defense systems, with openings at every level from mid-career through distinguished staff engineer. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers like Qualcomm, Lockheed Martin, and Apple maintain deep engineering organizations. Demand is strongest in hardware systems design, software infrastructure, and embedded systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Principal Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 829+ Principal Engineer jobs
Our Mission
At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.
Who We Are
In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!
We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.Job Summary
To be updated by Recruiter
Qualifications
Compensation Disclosure
The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus.
$183,600.00 - $297,000.00/yrOur Commitment
We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.
Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship?: YesOur Mission
At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.
Who We Are
In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!
We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.Job Summary
To be updated by Recruiter
Qualifications
Compensation Disclosure
The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus.
$183,600.00 - $297,000.00/yrOur Commitment
We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.
Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship?: YesSee All 829+ Principal Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman185
- Palo Alto Networks35
- Raytheon25
- Microsoft14
- Micron Technology14
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software17
- Electronics & Hardware16
- Education3
- Automotive3
- Banking & Financial Services3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field
- 10 or more years of progressive engineering experience including technical leadership responsibilities
- Demonstrated ability to set technical direction and drive architecture decisions across large systems
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and mentoring senior and staff engineers
- Deep expertise in at least one domain such as hardware design, distributed systems, or embedded software
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for executive audiences and cross-organizational alignment
Principal Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in California?
Becoming a principal engineer in California typically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or computer science, followed by a sustained record of technical leadership at the senior engineer level. California employers generally promote into principal roles based on demonstrated scope of impact, system ownership, and influence across teams rather than a state-issued license. Civil and structural principal engineers may hold a California Professional Engineer license issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
Which companies hire principal engineers in California?
Employers hiring principal engineers in California right now include Northrop Grumman, Palo Alto Networks, and Raytheon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of major technology headquarters, aerospace primes, and semiconductor companies means demand for principal-level engineers is distributed across both large public companies and well-funded growth-stage firms throughout the Bay Area and Southern California.
Which California cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
San Diego, San Jose, and Santa Clara account for the largest share of principal engineer openings in California. The Bay Area's concentration of major technology and semiconductor headquarters drives the volume there, while Los Angeles and San Diego attract principal engineers through aerospace, defense, and hardware companies including those clustered in corridors like the South Bay and Sorrento Valley.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most engineering roles, because principal engineers focus heavily on architecture, design review, and cross-team technical guidance rather than hands-on lab or manufacturing work. About 60% of principal engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-and-collaboration nature of the role. Systems design, software infrastructure, and platform architecture positions see the highest proportion of fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for someone earlier in their career is to target senior engineer roles at California technology or aerospace employers and build toward principal through demonstrated scope expansion. Companies like Apple, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman hire new graduates and associate engineers into structured programs and promote from within. Strengthening a portfolio with open-source contributions, patents, or published system designs and earning a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists can meaningfully differentiate a candidate moving toward principal-level consideration.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across technology, aerospace, semiconductors, and other industries. Search the listings for roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 829+ Principal Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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