Principal Engineer Jobs in New Hampshire
Principal Engineer jobs in New Hampshire are in active demand, concentrated in defense systems, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors that anchor the state's economy. Manchester, Nashua, and the seacoast corridor around Portsmouth and Hampton are the primary hiring centers, with established employers such as BAE Systems, Raytheon Technologies, and Dartmouth Health drawing consistent principal engineer talent. The most sought-after specialties are systems engineering, software architecture, and electrical engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Are you a highly experienced and innovative Principal Engineer passionate about pushing the boundaries of embedded systems? Do you thrive on complex technical challenges and want to lead the development of cutting-edge electronic systems that directly contribute to national security?
If so, join our growing team at BAE Systems and help us protect those who protect us. We need your expertise, vision, and leadership to shape the future of our advanced technologies.
About BAE Systems
Our employees work on the world’s most advanced electronics. Spanning air, land, sea, and space, we are developing the technology of tomorrow, delivered today. Drawing strength from our differences, we’re innovating for the future. And you can, too.
At BAE Systems, we promote a strong, collaborative culture and provide our employees with the tools, skills and training they need to succeed and grow. We are all about trust, camaraderie, and a shared ambition to lead the world in defense technologies and national security services. When you join our engineering group, you will be a key technical leader, mentoring other engineers and collaborating with Systems, Hardware, and Test engineers throughout the software development lifecycle – from Requirements Development to Design, Coding, Integration, and Testing.
We offer a flexible work environment and 9/80 work schedule. Our company is part of the community and driven to improve our future and protect our freedom.
Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Principal Engineer to assist with the development of critical embedded systems for our Precision Strike & Sensing Solutions (PGSS) business. PGSS designs, develops, and manufactures state-of-the-art seeker, guidance, and control technologies for precision munitions. In this role, your technical expertise will be assisting in executing on design, implementation, and validation of complex embedded systems, with a strong focus on FPGA-based processing and embedded Linux environments. You will be responsible for mentoring junior engineers, driving technical excellence, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality, reliable products.
This role offers a unique opportunity to tackle challenging problems, work with unique state of the art technology, and make a significant contribution to national security. You’ll enjoy flexible scheduling, an inviting and supportive culture, competitive compensation, and an excellent benefits package that includes tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees.
Job Responsibilities
- Participate in the architectural design, development, integration, and testing of complex embedded systems utilizing Xilinx FPGAs and Embedded Linux.
- Collaborate with the engineering team on standards, best practices, and design patterns.
- Collaborate with systems engineers to translate requirements into robust and efficient software solutions.
- Investigate and resolve complex technical issues, serving as a subject matter expert.
- Contribute to the development of technical documentation, including specifications, design documents, and test plans.
- Participate in the full software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, and deployment.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
- Active Secret DoW clearance.
- 6+ years of experience in embedded systems development.
- Experience with Xilinx FPGAs: including experience with Vivado, VHDL or Verilog, and embedded processor cores (e.g., MicroBlaze, Zynq).
- Proficiency in C/C++ with a strong understanding of memory management, data structures, and algorithms.
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Experience with hardware/software integration and testing.
- Experience with model-based design tools (e.g., Simulink).
- Experience with Xilinx SDSoC or Vitis.
- Security focused development experience and understanding of common vulnerabilities.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems’ game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere – from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact – for our customers and the communities we serve.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
See All 80 Principal Engineer Jobs in New Hampshire
Find roles in New Hampshire that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in New Hampshire
Where New Hampshire roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in New Hampshire
A snapshot from current New Hampshire openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BAE Systems USA53

- Fidelity Investments8

- Celestica3

- Lonza1

- Raytheon1

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software23
- Investment & Asset Management4
- Electronics & Hardware3
- Automotive2
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
What New Hampshire Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across New Hampshire.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or a closely related technical field
- Ten or more years of progressively responsible engineering experience in a relevant discipline
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and define system-level architecture
- Experience with defense, aerospace, or regulated manufacturing environments preferred by New Hampshire employers
- Proficiency with model-based systems engineering tools such as MATLAB, SysML, or equivalent platforms
- Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one for defense-sector roles in southern New Hampshire
Principal Engineer Jobs in New Hampshire: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in New Hampshire?
Reaching the principal engineer level in New Hampshire typically requires a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline followed by a decade or more of progressive technical experience. While New Hampshire does not mandate a state-issued professional engineer license for most private-sector roles, employers in defense and regulated manufacturing strongly favor candidates who hold or are pursuing a PE license through the New Hampshire Board of Professional Engineers, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice exams.
Which companies hire principal engineers in New Hampshire?
Employers hiring principal engineers in New Hampshire right now include BAE Systems USA, Fidelity Investments, and Celestica, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. New Hampshire's concentration of defense contractors and precision manufacturing firms along the Route 3 and Interstate 93 corridors means a large share of these openings call for systems or electrical engineering backgrounds.
Which New Hampshire cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
The cities with the most principal engineer openings in New Hampshire are Nashua, Merrimack, and Hudson. That distribution reflects the dense cluster of defense contractors and advanced manufacturing facilities in the Nashua-Manchester corridor, where employers such as BAE Systems and Raytheon Technologies maintain significant engineering workforces, while Portsmouth draws additional openings tied to maritime technology and government contracting along the seacoast.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in New Hampshire?
Yes, though they are less common than in purely software-focused disciplines, since many principal engineer roles in New Hampshire involve hardware, defense systems, or regulated manufacturing environments that require on-site presence. About 53% of principal engineer openings tied to New Hampshire are remote or hybrid as of July 2026. The portions of the role most amenable to remote work are software architecture, systems modeling, and technical documentation.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in New Hampshire with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through associate or junior engineer roles at New Hampshire's large defense and manufacturing employers, where structured rotational programs at companies such as BAE Systems give early-career engineers exposure to systems integration and program management. A professional engineer license application or an active pursuit of the Fundamentals of Engineering exam through the New Hampshire Board of Professional Engineers signals commitment. Moving laterally from a senior software, electrical, or mechanical engineer title into a lead engineer role is the most common stepping stone before a principal designation.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in New Hampshire?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in New Hampshire on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your discipline and experience level and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 80 Principal Engineer Jobs in New Hampshire
Find roles in New Hampshire that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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