Principal Engineer Jobs in Colorado
Principal Engineer jobs in Colorado are concentrated in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, where aerospace, defense, and technology companies maintain deep engineering workforces. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and Google have significant Colorado operations and consistently recruit principal engineers across software systems, embedded hardware, and cloud infrastructure disciplines. Colorado sits among the most active markets in the country for senior engineering talent, reflecting the density of both established defense contractors and high-growth tech firms along the Front Range. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Principal Cyber Operator/ Field Engineer to join our team in Colorado Springs, CO.
In this job, you will:
Coordinate/lead the preventative maintenance, repair, and installation of Program systems including climbing a 100 ft tower
Perform technical tasks and demonstrate problem-resolution actions for the Program systems.
Assist the Program Integrated Logistics Specialist (ILS) with logistics support such as, but not limited to, shipping, receiving, kitting, Government Furnished Property/Equipment (GFP/GFE) inventory, and import/export
Provide input to the operational analysis and quality evaluation of products and their related performance and update metrics.
Perform troubleshooting and diagnoses of malfunctions and errors to eliminate problems in minimum time.
Must be able to support after hours and on weekends as needed.
This position will involve 25-50% travel to remote sites, including foreign travel.
*Please be aware that this position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding. Furthermore, this position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future*
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 5 years of field engineering experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of field engineering experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of field engineering experience.
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance
Must be able to obtain a US Passport
Must be able to support after hours and on weekends as needed
Preferred Qualifications
Construction experience
Security + certification
Electronics background
RF background
Experience with Linux operating system
Experience writing plans, reports, and procedures
Valid/Current US Passport
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.See All 190+ Principal Engineer Jobs in Colorado
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Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in Colorado
Where Colorado roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in Colorado
A snapshot from current Colorado openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman29

- BAE Systems USA28

- Raytheon16

- CesiumAstro10

- Atom Computing6

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software15
- Science & Research5
- Aerospace & Defense2
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
- Consulting & Professional Services2
What Colorado Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across Colorado.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- Ten or more years of progressive engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership
- Proven ability to architect and own large-scale systems across the full software development lifecycle
- Experience mentoring senior engineers and driving engineering standards across cross-functional teams
- Proficiency in cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure, or embedded systems for defense and aerospace roles
- Active security clearance or eligibility for one, required by many Colorado defense and aerospace employers
Principal Engineer Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in Colorado?
Becoming a principal engineer in Colorado typically follows a path from bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or computer science through progressive roles as a software engineer, senior engineer, and staff engineer before reaching the principal level. Colorado employers in aerospace and defense frequently require or prefer candidates who can obtain a security clearance, which means a background that supports federal adjudication. No state-issued engineering license is required for software-focused principal engineer roles, though candidates targeting civil or systems engineering positions may pursue a Colorado Professional Engineer registration through the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors.
Which companies hire principal engineers in Colorado?
Employers hiring principal engineers in Colorado right now include Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems USA, and Raytheon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Colorado's concentration of aerospace primes, federal contractors, and technology companies along the Front Range keeps demand for principal-level engineering talent consistently high across both defense and commercial sectors.
Which Colorado cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Denver account for the largest share of principal engineer openings in Colorado. Denver anchors demand through its technology and corporate headquarters presence, Boulder draws heavily from the software and deep-tech startup ecosystem, and Colorado Springs reflects the significant concentration of defense contractors and military installations that generate steady principal engineering hiring.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in Colorado?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 45% of principal engineer openings tied to Colorado are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of most software and systems architecture work. The parts of the role most commonly offered remotely are pure software architecture, platform engineering, and cloud infrastructure, while principal engineers supporting defense programs with classified environments are almost always required on-site.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in Colorado with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for candidates without principal-level experience is to move into a senior engineer role first and build a record of system ownership and cross-team technical leadership that Colorado employers recognize as principal-ready. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Google all operate new-grad and rotational engineering programs in Colorado that place early-career engineers on paths toward senior and staff levels. Lateral movement from roles like solutions architect, tech lead, or staff engineer is a common entry point. Candidates who accelerate this path typically hold a master's degree, can qualify for a security clearance, or maintain a strong portfolio of open-source or systems design work that demonstrates independent technical judgment.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Colorado?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Colorado on Migrate Mate, which lists current Colorado openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your background and the location or remote arrangement you need, and apply directly to the ones that match. No sign-up is required to see the openings.
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