Principal Engineer Jobs in Charlotte, NC
Principal Engineer jobs in Charlotte are in strong demand, concentrated in Uptown, South End, and the University City corridor across energy, banking, and enterprise technology. Employers hiring right now include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and The Hartford. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Principal Civil/Structural Engineer
Charlotte, NC
About the Charlotte Zachry Team
The Charlotte office of Zachry offers a unique opportunity to join a high-growth team at the center of critical infrastructure work across the region. Our team supports a large and expanding portfolio driven by strong, long-standing partnerships with major utility and industrial clients. This provides employees with consistent exposure to high-impact, technically challenging projects and meaningful opportunities for career growth. The environment is collaborative, fast-paced, and focused on delivering successful project outcomes while helping employees expand their technical capabilities and professional development. [Civil Stru...ngineer II | Word]
Position Overview
Zachry Engineering Corporation (ZEC) is seeking a Principal Civil/Structural Engineer to support major Power and Industrial projects in Charlotte, NC. This role serves as the senior technical authority for structural engineering, providing leadership, design oversight, and technical guidance across multiple projects from FEL/FEED through EPC execution.
The Principal Engineer will lead complex engineering efforts, drive technical excellence, mentor engineering staff, and work closely with clients, project teams, and leadership to deliver safe, economical, and constructible solutions.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from an ABET-accredited university
- 15+ years of structural engineering experience supporting Power, Energy, or Industrial facilities
- Professional Engineer (PE) license required
- Strong expertise in structural steel, reinforced concrete, and foundation design
- Thorough understanding of AISC, ACI, and applicable building codes
- Experience with STAAD.Pro, RISA, Enercalc, or similar structural analysis software
- Proven ability to lead complex technical decisions and mentor engineering teams
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
- Ability to thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Structural Engineer (SE) license
- Master's degree in Structural Engineering or related discipline
- Experience supporting large EPC and design-build projects
- Power generation, utility, chemical, or heavy industrial project experience
- Construction support and field engineering experience
Why Zachry Engineering
- Lead technical execution on large-scale Power and Industrial projects
- Influence engineering standards, design quality, and project success
- Mentor and develop the next generation of engineering talent
- Work alongside industry experts in a collaborative engineering environment
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
- Insurance
- Construction & Real Estate
Principal Engineer Jobs in Charlotte: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a principal engineer job in Charlotte?
Focus your search on Charlotte's dominant hiring sectors: financial services along Uptown and the South End corridor, energy and utilities firms clustered near the city center, and enterprise technology companies expanding in University City and Ballantyne. Candidates who combine deep system architecture experience with cross-functional leadership tend to stand out. Tailoring your application to the technical stack and domain of each employer type gives you a practical edge in this market.
Which companies hire principal engineers in Charlotte?
Charlotte principal engineer roles are posted by Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and The Hartford and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The local market includes large financial institutions headquartered downtown, major energy and utilities operators, and a growing set of mid-size technology firms scaling their engineering organizations across the metro area.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in Charlotte?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role: principal engineers in software architecture and platform engineering work remotely more often than those in infrastructure, manufacturing, or on-site systems integration. About 28% of principal engineer openings tied to Charlotte are remote or hybrid as of July 2026. Software-focused roles at Charlotte's fintech and enterprise tech employers tend to offer the most flexible arrangements.
How can I get a principal engineer job in Charlotte with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Charlotte is moving through senior engineer roles at one of the city's large financial services or energy firms, where internal promotion tracks are well-defined. Employers in University City and Ballantyne also hire engineers into lead roles on emerging platform teams, which can accelerate the path to principal. Building a record of owning complex system decisions, even on smaller projects, is what local hiring managers look for before promoting to that level.
Which industries hire the most principal engineers in Charlotte?
Charlotte principal engineer roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Technology & Software, and Banking & Financial Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Charlotte's status as a major U.S. banking hub, combined with its growing energy sector and expanding technology employer base, drives consistent demand for senior engineering talent across those fields.
Related Jobs in North Carolina
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