Principal Engineer Jobs in El Segundo, CA
Principal Engineer jobs in El Segundo are concentrated in the aerospace and defense corridor along Sepulveda Boulevard, the El Segundo Technology Campus area, and the Douglas Street business district, with strong demand in defense systems, semiconductor design, and cloud infrastructure. Employers actively hiring include Northrop Grumman, Collins Aerospace, and CHAOS Industries. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Principal Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 3 of 906+ Principal Engineer jobs







Date Posted:
2026-11-10Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-CA-EL SEGUNDO-E04 ~ 2006 E El Segundo Blvd ~ BLDG E04Position Role Type:
OnsiteU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearanceSecurity Clearance Type:
Secret - CurrentSecurity Clearance Status:
Active and existing security clearance required on day 1At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.
Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.
This position is for a motivated Principal Electrical or Computer engineering candidate to be involved in the design, implementation, verification, and integration of a wide variety of high-performance digital ASICs and FPGAs applied to signal processing and information assurance products across Mission Systems on the Microelectronics Technology team.
What You Will Do
- Requirements capture, ASIC / FPGA digital architecture and design using RTL, timing closure, verification, and system integration
- Recommend new tools and practices for continuous improvement in the group's ASIC / FPGA design flow
- Contribute to engineering estimates for new program pursuits.
- Provide technical leadership for project design teams by breaking down work, planning activities, and reporting status
- What You Will Learn
- You will work with an experienced team to learn best practices and Collins’ engineering processes for implementing world class ASIC / FPGA solutions.
- You will get to work with cutting edge technologies developed both in house and by external vendors.
- You will learn how ASICs and FPGAs are used to implement solutions utilized in communications, security, and space-based products.
Qualifications You Must Have
- Demonstrated experience developing, coding, and simulating RTL designs using VHDL and/or Verilog.
- Experience with digital logic architecture and design, including resource utilization tradeoffs, timing analysis, and timing closure.
- Hands-on experience developing and maintaining testbenches for RTL verification using VHDL and/or SystemVerilog.
- Proficiency with ASIC and/or FPGA design, simulation, and synthesis tools, such as ModelSim, Synplify, Quartus, Vivado, or equivalent tools.
- Experience using revision control tools and methodologies, such as Git or Subversion, to manage design files and track development changes.
- Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
- Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
- U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
Qualifications We Prefer
- undefined
- Ability to work with minimal supervision, team with engineers of a variety of skills and backgrounds, and matrix into projects with aggressive schedules and frequent milestones.
- Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to document and present one's work and status
- Familiarity with best practice chip-level verification techniques and languages (e.g. constrained random, functional coverage, SystemVerilog)
- ASIC / FPGA lab validation with advanced lab equipment
- Design for Test (DFT) and manufacturability issues
- Experience with Unix, scripting, C/C++, and/or Perl
What We Offer
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
- Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
- Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
- Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
- Adoption Assistance
- Autism Benefit
- Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
- Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
- Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
- Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
- Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
This position is eligible for relocation assistance
Learn More & Apply Now!
Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.
Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.
Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.
Employee Referral Eligible
At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other - propel us all higher, again and again.
Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.
#ARTFPGA
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
Privacy Policy and Terms:
See All 906+ Principal Engineer Jobs in El Segundo
Find roles in El Segundo that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Job Market in El Segundo
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman366

- Collins Aerospace135

- CHAOS Industries116
- Raytheon96

- Radiant Nuclear58

Principal Engineer Jobs in El Segundo: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a principal engineer job in El Segundo?
Focus on El Segundo's dominant sectors: aerospace and defense, semiconductor and hardware engineering, and enterprise software for defense contractors. Employers along the Sepulveda corridor and near Los Angeles Air Force Base consistently hire at the principal level. Candidates with systems architecture experience, security clearances, or hands-on hardware design backgrounds stand out most in this market. Applying directly through company career portals for El Segundo-based divisions gives you the clearest path in.
Which companies hire principal engineers in El Segundo?
Employers hiring principal engineers in El Segundo right now include Northrop Grumman, Collins Aerospace, and CHAOS Industries, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. El Segundo is home to a dense mix of major defense primes, aerospace manufacturers, and technology companies that maintain large engineering organizations in the city.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in El Segundo?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role type. Principal engineer positions in software architecture or cloud infrastructure tend to offer more remote flexibility, while hardware, systems integration, and defense-related roles typically require on-site presence. About 11% of principal engineer openings tied to El Segundo are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common among software-focused roles at commercial technology employers in the city.
How can I get a principal engineer job in El Segundo with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in El Segundo is through a senior engineer role at one of the city's defense contractors or aerospace firms, where promotion to principal is structured and based on demonstrated technical ownership. El Segundo employers such as satellite and defense hardware companies often run early-career engineering rotations that build the cross-functional experience principal roles require. Pursuing a security clearance early is a concrete differentiator, as many El Segundo positions require one for advancement.
Related Jobs in California
See All 906+ Principal Engineer Jobs in El Segundo
Find roles in El Segundo that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer Jobs