Principal Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
Principal Engineer jobs in New Jersey are in strong demand, concentrated in pharmaceuticals, defense systems, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing, with openings at every level from senior engineer through distinguished technical fellow. The most active hiring markets are Newark, Princeton, and the Route 1 corridor, where employers such as Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, and Verizon have deep and lasting engineering footprints. Systems architecture, embedded software, and process engineering are consistently among the most sought-after specialties in New Jersey listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 67+ Principal Engineer jobs
Sr Staff - Principal CQE/PQE
About the Role
The Sr. Staff Customer and Product Quality Engineering works with both our customers and internal teams seamlessly from NPI (New Product Introduction) to high-volume mass production hyperscale / AI Server Systems for global marquee customers. Reporting to Sr. Manager of Product and Customer Quality, the Sr Staff CQE/PQE will act as an escalation point for our customer and lead our customer quality and product quality engineers who serve as the customer’s advocate in driving resolution of issues and continuous improvement. The team is responsible for resolving customer quality issues and ensuring our customer is delighted, while root causing the problem and corrective action to its source including design, process, materials/suppliers, and/or test.
What You’ll Do
- Interface with key customers and suppliers to ensure customer satisfaction and customer scorecard expectations are met
- Provide day-to-day guidance and escalation points to customer and product quality engineers
- Successfully drive resolution of customer issues within agreed-upon service level agreement
- Mitigation of quality issues that impact the customer and internal operations
- Identify systematic/process improvements involving customer quality excursions by working with multiple cross-functional teams including manufacturing, supplier, and design/sustaining engineering
- Strive to build a continuous improvement mentality to develop and ensure a data-driven proactive quality culture
- Work with customers to clearly define factory build report expectations including frequency of reports, expected data, and response to excursions Host quality-related customer visits and audits Be an advocate for the customer through excellent knowledge of ZT manufacturing process, timely follow through, and customer focus
What You’ll Bring
- An Engineering BS degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, or similar field and 8+ years of experience, preferably in the Computer or Electronic Manufacturing industries (alternatively an MS and 6 + years experience).
- Experience /certification in Lean / Six Sigma is strongly desired
- Track both internal and external customer quality issues across multi-functional teams including Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Suppliers to timely and meaningful resolutions.
- Must be capable of effectively interfacing at all levels of the organization including the executive level both internally and with the customer
- Strong leadership skills with proven ability to drive complex issues to closure in a timely manner and clearly communicate status updates and the results
- Manage quality issue diagnosis, root-cause determination, and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions with the appropriate team(s)
- Review failure analysis and corrective action reports through well-managed customer-facing communications
- Communicate customer feedback regarding quality and reliability performance against customer requirements and help the company incorporate into our strategic goals
- Project planning and leadership experience
- Possess relationship management abilities; strong customer-facing skills
- Experience in working within a global organization is a plus
- Demonstrated success working in dynamic organization while leading a team through objectives with multiple priority levels
- Experience in leading and mentoring less-experienced team members
- Experience creating win-win scenarios with multiple stakeholders/interests to gain buy-in to meet quality objectives
- Excellent data diagnostic & analytical skills
- Knowledge of database/reporting systems, strong Excel skills
About ZT Systems
At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, you’ll get to do work you are proud of alongside smart, passionate people. Every day, there are opportunities to collaborate with the best in the industry to design, build, and deliver impactful solutions to world-class customers. Along the way, you will gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment that’s challenging, rewarding, and career-defining.
A culture built around our values we work hard and think fast. We view challenges as opportunities—to do better, push harder, and be faster than we were the day before. When we fail, we learn from it and move on together. And when we succeed, we use the momentum to go even further. We create value with everything we do, building the foundation of today—and transforming the future of tomorrow.
Join ZT Systems and help us build technology infrastructure that connects the world.
What We Offer
At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, we believe that investing in our people is key to our continued growth and innovation. When you join our team, you’ll gain access to a comprehensive and inclusive benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and professional development—both now and in the future.
Compensation & Financial Security
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-based annual bonus eligibility
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Tuition reimbursement for eligible education programs
Health & Wellness
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with access to leading providers
-Mental health resources and employee wellness support programs-
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
Time Away & Work-Life Balance
- Paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays
- Parental leave and family care support programs
Growth & Purpose
- Structured training programs and on-the-job learning opportunities
- Matching gifts and volunteer programs to support causes you care about
These benefits are available to eligible employees and are designed to grow with you as your career evolves. Full benefits and eligibility varies by work location.
ZT Group Int’l. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. ZT Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Please be aware that certain positions may require the applicant to either 1) be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or 2) be eligible to obtain an export control license or license exception from the Bureau of Industry and Science & U.S. Department of Commerce. All offers of employment will be conditional subject to the foregoing.
Sr Staff - Principal CQE/PQE
About the Role
The Sr. Staff Customer and Product Quality Engineering works with both our customers and internal teams seamlessly from NPI (New Product Introduction) to high-volume mass production hyperscale / AI Server Systems for global marquee customers. Reporting to Sr. Manager of Product and Customer Quality, the Sr Staff CQE/PQE will act as an escalation point for our customer and lead our customer quality and product quality engineers who serve as the customer’s advocate in driving resolution of issues and continuous improvement. The team is responsible for resolving customer quality issues and ensuring our customer is delighted, while root causing the problem and corrective action to its source including design, process, materials/suppliers, and/or test.
What You’ll Do
- Interface with key customers and suppliers to ensure customer satisfaction and customer scorecard expectations are met
- Provide day-to-day guidance and escalation points to customer and product quality engineers
- Successfully drive resolution of customer issues within agreed-upon service level agreement
- Mitigation of quality issues that impact the customer and internal operations
- Identify systematic/process improvements involving customer quality excursions by working with multiple cross-functional teams including manufacturing, supplier, and design/sustaining engineering
- Strive to build a continuous improvement mentality to develop and ensure a data-driven proactive quality culture
- Work with customers to clearly define factory build report expectations including frequency of reports, expected data, and response to excursions Host quality-related customer visits and audits Be an advocate for the customer through excellent knowledge of ZT manufacturing process, timely follow through, and customer focus
What You’ll Bring
- An Engineering BS degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, or similar field and 8+ years of experience, preferably in the Computer or Electronic Manufacturing industries (alternatively an MS and 6 + years experience).
- Experience /certification in Lean / Six Sigma is strongly desired
- Track both internal and external customer quality issues across multi-functional teams including Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Suppliers to timely and meaningful resolutions.
- Must be capable of effectively interfacing at all levels of the organization including the executive level both internally and with the customer
- Strong leadership skills with proven ability to drive complex issues to closure in a timely manner and clearly communicate status updates and the results
- Manage quality issue diagnosis, root-cause determination, and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions with the appropriate team(s)
- Review failure analysis and corrective action reports through well-managed customer-facing communications
- Communicate customer feedback regarding quality and reliability performance against customer requirements and help the company incorporate into our strategic goals
- Project planning and leadership experience
- Possess relationship management abilities; strong customer-facing skills
- Experience in working within a global organization is a plus
- Demonstrated success working in dynamic organization while leading a team through objectives with multiple priority levels
- Experience in leading and mentoring less-experienced team members
- Experience creating win-win scenarios with multiple stakeholders/interests to gain buy-in to meet quality objectives
- Excellent data diagnostic & analytical skills
- Knowledge of database/reporting systems, strong Excel skills
About ZT Systems
At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, you’ll get to do work you are proud of alongside smart, passionate people. Every day, there are opportunities to collaborate with the best in the industry to design, build, and deliver impactful solutions to world-class customers. Along the way, you will gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment that’s challenging, rewarding, and career-defining.
A culture built around our values we work hard and think fast. We view challenges as opportunities—to do better, push harder, and be faster than we were the day before. When we fail, we learn from it and move on together. And when we succeed, we use the momentum to go even further. We create value with everything we do, building the foundation of today—and transforming the future of tomorrow.
Join ZT Systems and help us build technology infrastructure that connects the world.
What We Offer
At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, we believe that investing in our people is key to our continued growth and innovation. When you join our team, you’ll gain access to a comprehensive and inclusive benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and professional development—both now and in the future.
Compensation & Financial Security
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-based annual bonus eligibility
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Tuition reimbursement for eligible education programs
Health & Wellness
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with access to leading providers
-Mental health resources and employee wellness support programs-
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
Time Away & Work-Life Balance
- Paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays
- Parental leave and family care support programs
Growth & Purpose
- Structured training programs and on-the-job learning opportunities
- Matching gifts and volunteer programs to support causes you care about
These benefits are available to eligible employees and are designed to grow with you as your career evolves. Full benefits and eligibility varies by work location.
ZT Group Int’l. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. ZT Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Please be aware that certain positions may require the applicant to either 1) be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or 2) be eligible to obtain an export control license or license exception from the Bureau of Industry and Science & U.S. Department of Commerce. All offers of employment will be conditional subject to the foregoing.
See All 67 Principal Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- JPMorganChase10
- BAE Systems USA8
- Verizon5
- ZT Systems4
- SciTec3
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field
- Ten or more years of progressive engineering experience including technical leadership responsibilities
- Demonstrated ability to define architecture and drive engineering standards across multiple teams
- Deep expertise in at least one domain such as systems, software, or mechanical engineering
- Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders including product, operations, and senior leadership
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting technical direction to non-engineering audiences
Principal Engineer Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in New Jersey?
Reaching a principal engineer title in New Jersey typically requires a bachelor's or advanced degree in an engineering discipline followed by a sustained record of technical leadership. For roles in civil or structural engineering, you will need a Professional Engineer license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. In software, defense, and pharmaceutical sectors, licensure is not required, but domain depth and the ability to lead architecture decisions across an organization are the defining qualifications employers look for.
Which companies hire principal engineers in New Jersey?
Employers hiring principal engineers in New Jersey right now include JPMorganChase, BAE Systems USA, and Verizon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New Jersey's pharmaceutical corridor along Route 1 and its defense and telecom presence in the northern part of the state make it one of the more consistently active markets for senior technical hiring on the East Coast.
Which New Jersey cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Jersey City, Wayne, and Basking Ridge have the most principal engineer openings in New Jersey right now. Newark and the northern suburbs attract engineering leadership roles tied to telecommunications and financial technology firms headquartered there, while Princeton and the Route 1 corridor are driven by the pharmaceutical, biotech, and defense contractors concentrated in that stretch of central New Jersey.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, and more than many senior technical roles allow. About 95% of principal engineer openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on architecture, code review, and cross-team alignment rather than on-site presence. Roles in software and cloud infrastructure are the most remote-friendly, while positions in defense, advanced manufacturing, and lab-based pharmaceutical engineering are more likely to require regular on-site work.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a junior or associate engineer role at one of New Jersey's large pharmaceutical, defense, or telecommunications employers and building toward the principal level through internal promotions. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Lockheed Martin run structured early-career engineering programs that place new graduates on teams where principal engineers mentor them directly. Earning a Professional Engineer license from the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, or completing a relevant graduate degree at a New Jersey research university, meaningfully strengthens a candidate's trajectory toward senior technical leadership.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's major hiring markets and industries. Search the listings for roles that match your engineering discipline and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 67 Principal Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer Jobs