Principal Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Principal Engineer jobs in North Carolina are in strong demand, with openings concentrated in defense and aerospace systems, semiconductor manufacturing, software infrastructure, and power grid engineering across a range from senior individual contributor through principal-level technical leadership. The heaviest hiring runs through the Research Triangle, Charlotte, and the Raleigh-Durham corridor, where employers like Lenovo North America, Duke Energy, and IBM have longstanding engineering footprints. The most sought-after specializations right now are embedded systems, cloud platform architecture, and electrical power systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Principal Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 67+ Principal Engineer jobs











Date Posted:
2026-09-25Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-NC-WINSTON SALEM-961 ~ 961 Pinebrook Knolls Dr ~ PINEBROOK 961Position Role Type:
OnsiteU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62Security Clearance Type:
None/Not RequiredSecurity Clearance Status:
Not RequiredAt RTX, the world largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.
Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.
We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Principal Electrical Engineer to join our team within the Seating, Engineered Components group. This role is responsible for the development and sustainment of seating controls including power supplies, seat control actuators, and associated peripherals for business class and first-class seating configurations.
This role supports all phases of the hardware development lifecycle—program pursuit, design requirements, controller design implementation, integration, verification, and factory transition for next generation seating controls.
What You Will Do:
- Lead LRU Development through all phases of design cycle
- Design and analyze Circuit Card Assemblies (CCA) for seating actuation and peripheral cabin functions. (Processors, Memory, interfaces)
- Work with lab equipment for integration testing of hardware designs
- Schematic capture of complex digital, analog, and mixed signal electrical circuit designs
- Oversight of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout
- Design to Cost (DTC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Test (DFT)
- Mentoring and delegating tasks to less experienced engineers
- Support qualification and certification of Line Replaceable Units (LRU)
- Support field returns RCCA analysis and reporting
Qualifications You Must Have:
- Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience
- Hands-on troubleshooting experience
- Experience with serial communications protocols (CAN Bus, RS-485, Ethernet)
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with team members and independently on assigned tasks
- Demonstrated ability to lead root cause analysis and drive corrective actions
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Experience in the Defense or Aerospace industry
- Requirements based development for implementation, and verification
- Demonstrated use of software tools for electrical circuit simulation and/or Printed Circuit Board layout
- Experience with aerospace regulatory and certification requirements: DO-254, DO-178, DO-160, TSO/PMA
What We Offer:
Some of our competitive benefits package includes:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
- Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Optional coverages you can buy: pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
- Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
- Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family building
- Adoption Assistance
- Autism Benefit
- Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
- Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
- Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
- Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
- Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
- And more!
Learn More & Apply Now!
At Collins Aerospace, our Interiors team is focused on innovation, safety and cost efficiency. But we don’t just get people from point A to point B. We’re committed to making air travel more comfortable, connected and secure. As a leader in aviation interior products and services, we’re helping airlines and original equipment manufacturers create a positive experience for their customers. With offices and manufacturing facilities in more than 12 states across the U.S. and more than 10 countries around the globe, we’re changing the game of aircraft interiors. Are you ready to join our team?
Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.
Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world – and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.
At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other – propel us all higher, again and again.
Apply now and be part of the team that's redefining aerospace, every day.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
Privacy Policy and Terms:
See All 67 Principal Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or a related technical field required
- Ten or more years of progressive engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and defining system-level architecture decisions
- Deep expertise in a core domain such as embedded systems, power systems, or cloud infrastructure
- Strong record of driving engineering standards, code reviews, or design governance across teams
- Experience collaborating with product, business, and executive stakeholders on technical roadmaps
Principal Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in North Carolina?
Becoming a principal engineer in North Carolina typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related field, followed by a decade or more of progressively senior engineering work. For roles in civil, structural, or electrical power engineering, licensure as a Professional Engineer through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors is often required or preferred. Software and systems principal engineers usually advance through demonstrated technical leadership rather than formal state licensure.
Which companies hire principal engineers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring principal engineers in North Carolina right now include Northrop Grumman, Collins Aerospace, and Amgen, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. North Carolina's concentration of defense contractors, energy utilities, and Research Triangle technology companies means demand is consistent across multiple sectors throughout the year.
Which North Carolina cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Raleigh, Morrisville, and Charlotte account for the largest share of principal engineer openings in North Carolina. The Research Triangle drives volume through its dense cluster of technology firms, university research partnerships, and defense contractors, while Charlotte adds significant demand from energy utilities and financial technology infrastructure teams.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than many technical fields. About 65% of principal engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on architecture, design review, and cross-team alignment rather than on-site hardware. Software platform and cloud infrastructure roles are the most likely to be fully remote, while embedded systems and power engineering roles tend to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a junior or associate engineer role and building toward principal level over time. In North Carolina, large defense and technology employers in the Research Triangle frequently hire new graduates into rotational engineering programs that build the breadth expected at principal level. Pursuing Professional Engineer licensure through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, or building a strong systems architecture portfolio, accelerates advancement from adjacent roles like senior software engineer, systems engineer, or lead developer.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and specialization, and apply directly to each opening.
See All 67 Principal Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer Jobs