Principal Engineer Jobs in Florida
Principal Engineer jobs in Florida are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductors, software systems, and large-scale infrastructure across the full seniority range from senior engineer to staff and distinguished levels. The biggest hiring metros are Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, where anchors like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Technologies maintain major engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in Florida are systems engineering, embedded software, and RF and avionics engineering tied to the state's defense and space corridor. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Overview
The Principal Systems Engineer position is a full-time exempt position. The individual will lead and/or support engineering tasks to include; development of high-level system architecture, system requirements definition, perform system trade studies and performance assessments, and support complex aerospace system integration planning, execution and test activities. The individual will apply engineering knowledge and discipline to develop system solutions and participate in all phases of system development. The individual will report to the Program Director.
Responsibilities
- Lead and/or support the development and execution of engineering plans and documents such as; Systems Engineering Management Plans, Requirements Specifications, Test Plans and Test Procedures, and Risk Management Plans
- Lead the planning and implementation of functional analysis and requirements decomposition for a complex weapon system using MBSE tools and techniques (hierarchies, requirement diagrams, FFBDs, etc.).
- Perform engineering trade studies to support weapon system design and/or performance analysis.
- Document and present technical results to engineering leads, management and/or customers.
- Provide technical participation in engineering and program reviews, Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM), and/or working group meetings.
- Interface with other members of the engineering team to provide engineering and analytic support to system design and trade studies
- Mentor members of the engineering team in MBSE tools and methodologies as required
- Support other duties as assigned
Skills and Competencies
- BS degree in Aerospace or Systems Engineering or related field required. MS degree preferred
- At least 12 years of experience supporting DoD programs
- Experience with requirements development tools (i.e. DOORS)
- Experience with DoD systems design, architecture definition, and analysis
- Experience with Model Based Engineering tools and languages such as Enterprise Architecture, CORE, MagicDraw, UML/SysML/DoDAF (Cameo Preferred)
- Ability to operate successfully in a dynamic program environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Clearance
- Active Secret Clearance required. Top Secret Clearance preferred
Location
Largo, Florida
Travel
Required approximately 10% of the time.
Cummings Aerospace provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Cummings Aerospace complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Cummings Aerospace expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
Overview
The Principal Systems Engineer position is a full-time exempt position. The individual will lead and/or support engineering tasks to include; development of high-level system architecture, system requirements definition, perform system trade studies and performance assessments, and support complex aerospace system integration planning, execution and test activities. The individual will apply engineering knowledge and discipline to develop system solutions and participate in all phases of system development. The individual will report to the Program Director.
Responsibilities
- Lead and/or support the development and execution of engineering plans and documents such as; Systems Engineering Management Plans, Requirements Specifications, Test Plans and Test Procedures, and Risk Management Plans
- Lead the planning and implementation of functional analysis and requirements decomposition for a complex weapon system using MBSE tools and techniques (hierarchies, requirement diagrams, FFBDs, etc.).
- Perform engineering trade studies to support weapon system design and/or performance analysis.
- Document and present technical results to engineering leads, management and/or customers.
- Provide technical participation in engineering and program reviews, Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM), and/or working group meetings.
- Interface with other members of the engineering team to provide engineering and analytic support to system design and trade studies
- Mentor members of the engineering team in MBSE tools and methodologies as required
- Support other duties as assigned
Skills and Competencies
- BS degree in Aerospace or Systems Engineering or related field required. MS degree preferred
- At least 12 years of experience supporting DoD programs
- Experience with requirements development tools (i.e. DOORS)
- Experience with DoD systems design, architecture definition, and analysis
- Experience with Model Based Engineering tools and languages such as Enterprise Architecture, CORE, MagicDraw, UML/SysML/DoDAF (Cameo Preferred)
- Ability to operate successfully in a dynamic program environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Clearance
- Active Secret Clearance required. Top Secret Clearance preferred
Location
Largo, Florida
Travel
Required approximately 10% of the time.
Cummings Aerospace provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Cummings Aerospace complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Cummings Aerospace expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
See All 203+ Principal Engineer Jobs in Florida
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Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in Florida
Where Florida roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in Florida
A snapshot from current Florida openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman121
- NextEra Energy6
- Collins Aerospace5
- Rimkus4
- Renesas4
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Banking & Financial Services
- Investment & Asset Management
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
What Florida Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across Florida.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical discipline
- Ten or more years of progressive engineering experience with a leadership or staff-level track
- Demonstrated ability to define technical direction and mentor senior and mid-level engineers
- Deep expertise in at least one domain such as embedded systems, RF, avionics, or distributed software
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams across program, product, and architecture functions
- Active or eligible DoD security clearance preferred for defense and aerospace roles in Florida
Principal Engineer Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in Florida?
Becoming a principal engineer in Florida typically requires a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and a progression through senior and staff engineering roles over many years. Florida does not mandate a state license for most software or systems principal engineer positions, but roles in civil, electrical, or structural engineering require licensure through the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. For defense and aerospace roles, a DoD security clearance and domain expertise in aerospace or embedded systems significantly strengthen a candidate's path.
Which companies hire principal engineers in Florida?
Employers hiring principal engineers in Florida right now include Northrop Grumman, NextEra Energy, and Collins Aerospace, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Florida's concentration of defense primes, space technology companies, and large financial services firms in the Tampa and Miami corridors means principal engineer demand is spread across both legacy contractors and growing technology organizations.
Which Florida cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Melbourne, Tampa, and Saint Petersburg have the most principal engineer openings in Florida. Orlando and its surrounding communities drive much of the volume through defense contractors, simulation technology companies, and the aerospace supply chain tied to Kennedy Space Center, while Tampa's mix of financial services, cybersecurity firms, and defense systems operations and Miami's growing technology sector account for the remaining concentration.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in Florida?
Yes, and more than many technical fields, particularly for software and systems architecture roles that do not require physical lab or hardware access. About 45% of principal engineer openings tied to Florida are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the flexibility that senior individual-contributor roles often carry. The portions of the work most likely to remain on-site are hardware integration, classified program activity, and client-facing architecture engagements.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in Florida with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is targeting associate or mid-level engineer roles at large Florida defense and aerospace employers such as Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman, which run structured new-graduate programs that build toward staff and principal levels over time. A Florida-based internship in systems engineering, embedded software, or RF can provide the hands-on credentialing that accelerates promotion. Moving laterally from a senior engineer or technical lead role in a closely adjacent discipline, particularly with a relevant domain certification, is the other well-worn route into principal-level work in the state.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Florida?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Florida on Migrate Mate, which lists current Florida openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 203+ Principal Engineer Jobs in Florida
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