Principal Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Principal Engineer jobs in Maryland are concentrated in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, Annapolis, and the suburban technology hubs of Montgomery and Howard Counties, where defense, cybersecurity, and systems engineering anchor demand at the senior and staff levels. Employers such as Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory maintain a lasting presence and consistently recruit principal engineers across software, systems, and hardware disciplines. The market is among the most active in the Mid-Atlantic, with openings at every seniority tier from recently promoted senior engineer to distinguished principal. 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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join our Manufacturing Operations Engineering Organization as a Principal Industrial Engineer based out of Linthicum, MD.
What You’ll Get to Do:
Monitor labor performance and develop plans for improvement
Monitor capital resource loading and develop plans for capacity management
Coordinate facility capital plan execution
Define and document process designs (product routings)
Use and maintain models for standard work assignments
Lead Continuous Improvement activities (e.g. 5-S, VSM, 6-Sigma)
May establish or assist in establishing accident prevention measures
May manage training programs for personnel concerning all phases of production operations
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering or other related STEM field with 5 years of experience in Operations Engineering or Manufacturing; Master’s degree in Science, Engineering or other related STEM field with 3 years of experience in Operations Engineering or Manufacturing
Experienced technical work in a manufacturing or production environment
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance
U.S. Citizenship required
Preferred Qualifications:
Active/Current U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance
Advanced degree (MS) in Industrial or Systems or Mechanical Engineering
Professional experience in Industrial engineering
Experience with SAP or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
Experience in defense, aerospace, or automotive industries
Technical experience working in a production environment
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
#MPR
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00 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 137+ Principal Engineer Jobs in Maryland
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Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman65

- Envision Innovative Solutions5

- Themis Insight4

- GliaCell Technologies4

- Leidos3

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Medical Devices
- Aerospace & Defense
- Electronics & Hardware
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical discipline
- Ten or more years of progressive engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership
- Active or current eligibility for a U.S. security clearance, required by many Maryland defense and federal contractors
- Deep expertise in a primary discipline such as software architecture, systems engineering, or embedded systems
- Proven record of defining technical direction and mentoring engineers across multiple project teams
- Experience collaborating with government or federal agency stakeholders, common in Maryland's contractor ecosystem
Principal Engineer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in Maryland?
Principal engineer is a seniority designation rather than a state-licensed title in Maryland, so there is no Maryland-specific engineering license required for software or systems principal engineer roles. Candidates pursuing roles at defense contractors or federal agencies typically hold a bachelor's or master's in engineering or computer science and accumulate deep technical experience over many years. Those working in licensed professional engineering domains can obtain a Professional Engineer license through the Maryland State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, which adds credibility for infrastructure and civil disciplines.
Which companies hire principal engineers in Maryland?
Employers hiring principal engineers in Maryland right now include Northrop Grumman, Envision Innovative Solutions, and Themis Insight, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Maryland's dense concentration of defense contractors, federal agencies, and research institutions means hiring is especially active among large government-adjacent employers anchored in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
Which Maryland cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Baltimore, Annapolis Junction, and Fort Meade hold the most principal engineer openings in Maryland. The concentration reflects the dominance of defense contractors, federal agency partners, and technology firms clustered along the I-270 technology corridor and around Annapolis Junction, with Baltimore's anchor institutions and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory driving demand in the eastern part of the state.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 39% of principal engineer openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the strong software and systems architecture emphasis in the state's tech sector. The roles most likely to offer full remote flexibility are those in software architecture and cloud platform engineering, while positions requiring access to classified facilities or laboratory hardware tend to remain on-site.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is to enter through an associate or mid-level engineering role at one of Maryland's large defense or technology employers and build toward the principal level over time. Employers such as Northrop Grumman and Leidos run structured new-graduate programs that place candidates into team-based rotations with mentorship tracks. Lateral moves from senior software engineer, systems engineer, or lead developer roles are the most common door into principal-level consideration. Pursuing a Professional Engineer license from the Maryland State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors strengthens candidacy in regulated engineering disciplines.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your discipline and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No sign-up is required to see and apply to the openings.
See All 137+ Principal Engineer Jobs in Maryland
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