Principal Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Principal Engineer jobs in District of Columbia draw from one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated heavily in federal contracting, cybersecurity, and defense systems integration. Most hiring clusters in the District itself and nearby corridors, with major employers including Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and General Dynamics Information Technology maintaining a substantial presence here. Cloud architecture, systems engineering, and software platform development are the specializations in highest demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Principal Engineer jobs
The purpose of this position is to provide the essential administrative processes, technical knowledge and leadership as described below. This position has oversight of a specific project area and acts as a representative of the engineering discipline ensuring technical accuracy in project execution in all phases. This is a lead position on assigned projects performing engineering assignments of advanced complexity.
" Under general supervision of the Discipline Lead Engineer, serve as a Supervising Lead providing guidance/supervision to other engineers and designers
" Analyze and make independent recommendations regarding technical solutions to problems of advanced complexity in accordance with project requirements
" Develop and review specifications and design criteria
" Perform and check engineering analyses and calculations; specify materials, equipment and systems; and solve technical problems of advanced complexity
" Coordinate technical issues with other disciplines, project management, vendors and clients
" Execute work in compliance with Project Quality Plan and procedures
" Execute work in accordance with the approved project scope, cost and schedule baselines
" Develop and review estimates, schedules and progress reports including effort-hour estimating and staff forecasting
" Establish, control and report on material key quantities; provide analysis and forecasts
" Provide technical support to activities associated with equipment and material procurement and subcontracting including scopes of work, technical bid evaluations and review of vendor submittals
" Provide technical support to activities associated with construction administration including response to construction requests-for-information and field changes
" Other duties as assigned
Basic Job Requirements
" U.S. Citizenship required
" Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and minimum fifteen (15) years of work-related experience
" Working knowledge of applicable federal (including Department of Energy orders), state, and local codes and standards
" Ability to communicate effectively with audiences that include but are not limited to project management, coworkers, clients, vendors, and subcontractors
" Job related technical knowledge necessary to complete the job
" Advanced knowledge of discipline codes and standards
" Ability to perform work in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal codes, statutes and guidelines
" Ability to attend to detail and work in a time-conscious and time-effective manner " Intermediate computer and software skills to include proficiency in the use of word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet and electronic presentation programs
" Significant experience providing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services on large industrial projects
" Proficiency executing large EPC projects utilizing engineering analysis, 3D modeling and 2D computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) automation tools in a multi-discipline environment
Discipline Specific Job Requirements
" Advanced engineering knowledge in the design of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
" Development of HVAC load calculations
" Development of HVAC air flow diagrams and instrument diagrams
" Development of HVAC system sequence of operation narratives
" Sizing and specification of air handling units and other equipment
" HVAC main duct and distribution duct sizing and routing
" Development of black utility (chiller, boiler, custom AHU, air compressor and cooling tower) specifications based upon sizing data provided by Process
" Development of HVAC specifications
Preferred Qualifications
" Professional Engineer license
" Experience with design of systems, structures and components for nuclear facilities under the requirements of ASME NQA-1
" Advanced knowledge of commercial availability and cost of materials
" Demonstrated experience managing and leading large projects
" Proficiency with project set-up, development of control-level schedules, progress reporting and project close-out
" Practical field experience
" EPC project experience for the following industries:
U.S Department of Energy or other U.S. Federal Government Agency
Nuclear facilities under a nuclear quality assurance program
Manufacturing, pharmaceutical or biotechnology
The purpose of this position is to provide the essential administrative processes, technical knowledge and leadership as described below. This position has oversight of a specific project area and acts as a representative of the engineering discipline ensuring technical accuracy in project execution in all phases. This is a lead position on assigned projects performing engineering assignments of advanced complexity.
" Under general supervision of the Discipline Lead Engineer, serve as a Supervising Lead providing guidance/supervision to other engineers and designers
" Analyze and make independent recommendations regarding technical solutions to problems of advanced complexity in accordance with project requirements
" Develop and review specifications and design criteria
" Perform and check engineering analyses and calculations; specify materials, equipment and systems; and solve technical problems of advanced complexity
" Coordinate technical issues with other disciplines, project management, vendors and clients
" Execute work in compliance with Project Quality Plan and procedures
" Execute work in accordance with the approved project scope, cost and schedule baselines
" Develop and review estimates, schedules and progress reports including effort-hour estimating and staff forecasting
" Establish, control and report on material key quantities; provide analysis and forecasts
" Provide technical support to activities associated with equipment and material procurement and subcontracting including scopes of work, technical bid evaluations and review of vendor submittals
" Provide technical support to activities associated with construction administration including response to construction requests-for-information and field changes
" Other duties as assigned
Basic Job Requirements
" U.S. Citizenship required
" Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and minimum fifteen (15) years of work-related experience
" Working knowledge of applicable federal (including Department of Energy orders), state, and local codes and standards
" Ability to communicate effectively with audiences that include but are not limited to project management, coworkers, clients, vendors, and subcontractors
" Job related technical knowledge necessary to complete the job
" Advanced knowledge of discipline codes and standards
" Ability to perform work in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal codes, statutes and guidelines
" Ability to attend to detail and work in a time-conscious and time-effective manner " Intermediate computer and software skills to include proficiency in the use of word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet and electronic presentation programs
" Significant experience providing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services on large industrial projects
" Proficiency executing large EPC projects utilizing engineering analysis, 3D modeling and 2D computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) automation tools in a multi-discipline environment
Discipline Specific Job Requirements
" Advanced engineering knowledge in the design of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
" Development of HVAC load calculations
" Development of HVAC air flow diagrams and instrument diagrams
" Development of HVAC system sequence of operation narratives
" Sizing and specification of air handling units and other equipment
" HVAC main duct and distribution duct sizing and routing
" Development of black utility (chiller, boiler, custom AHU, air compressor and cooling tower) specifications based upon sizing data provided by Process
" Development of HVAC specifications
Preferred Qualifications
" Professional Engineer license
" Experience with design of systems, structures and components for nuclear facilities under the requirements of ASME NQA-1
" Advanced knowledge of commercial availability and cost of materials
" Demonstrated experience managing and leading large projects
" Proficiency with project set-up, development of control-level schedules, progress reporting and project close-out
" Practical field experience
" EPC project experience for the following industries:
U.S Department of Energy or other U.S. Federal Government Agency
Nuclear facilities under a nuclear quality assurance program
Manufacturing, pharmaceutical or biotechnology
See All 22 Principal Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- GuROO6
- Humana2
- Serko2
- Accenture Federal Services2
- MTSI1
Top Industries Hiring
- Insurance2
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Energy1
- Aerospace & Defense1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Ten or more years of progressive software or systems engineering experience in relevant domains
- Active or obtainable security clearance, with many District of Columbia roles requiring Secret or Top Secret
- Demonstrated experience leading technical architecture decisions across large, cross-functional engineering teams
- Proficiency in cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud in an enterprise or government context
- Strong background in agile delivery, CI/CD pipelines, and modern DevSecOps practices
Principal Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in District of Columbia?
Becoming a principal engineer in District of Columbia typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, systems engineering, or a related field, followed by years of progressively senior engineering roles. The District has no state-issued engineering license specific to software principal engineers, but many roles in the federal contracting sector require a government security clearance, which candidates initiate through their sponsoring employer. Demonstrating technical leadership on large-scale, complex systems is the most decisive factor for advancement here.
Which companies hire principal engineers in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia principal engineer roles are posted by GuROO, Humana, and Serko and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The District's deep federal contracting ecosystem means large systems integrators and defense technology firms account for a significant share of these openings.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Washington and Anacostia Anx account for the most principal engineer openings in District of Columbia. The concentration in the District itself reflects the density of federal agencies and the headquarters or major offices of large contractors, while adjacent suburban areas benefit from the same ecosystem of government-facing technology work and cleared-facility campuses.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, though they are less common than in other tech markets. About 47% of principal engineer openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with the share limited partly by security clearance requirements and classified program work that mandates on-site presence. Roles focused on cloud architecture, platform engineering, and unclassified software development are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a mid-level software or systems engineer role with a federal contractor, which provides exposure to the cleared, government-facing work that principal engineer titles in this market require. Large District of Columbia employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos run associate and new-grad programs that bring in engineers at earlier career stages. Building toward a security clearance, earning a cloud certification, and contributing to technically complex projects are the credentials that accelerate the path to principal-level consideration here.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the District. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and interests, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 22 Principal Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer Jobs