Principal Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Principal Engineer jobs in South Carolina are concentrated in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville, where defense contracting, advanced manufacturing, and energy infrastructure drive steady demand for senior technical talent. Employers like Boeing, Michelin, and Bosch have deep roots in the state and regularly hire principal engineers across systems, mechanical, and software disciplines. The role sits at the top of the individual contributor track, and most openings call for deep domain expertise in one of those specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 16+ Principal Engineer jobs
Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
Principal Cyber Engineer
Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
CODEX Overview
Nightwing’s CODEX (Cyber Offense and Defense Experts) division brings together an elite team of mission-focused industry experts who are well known for their ability to overcome the most advanced technical challenges. The team comprises engineers of multiple disciplines including vulnerability research, reverse engineering, CNO/CNE development, hardware emulation, system engineering, and data analytics. Our engineers do more than just work with cutting-edge technology—they ensure missions succeed for our customers. CODEX offices span the nation and offer its engineers the ability to advance their careers through mentorship, training, and an expansive technical portfolio that covers every side of cyber. If you want to be part of a collaborative team that supports challenging, meaningful work that is vital to our national security, apply today!
Principal Cyber Engineer
Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) is seeking a cyber engineer to join our team to solve real-time cyber challenges, working on site with our end users in their spaces. Applicants will join a team of developers building high impact applications for Cyber Networking Operations, with continuous and meaningful feedback from users. Applicants are expected to integrate reverse engineering results into development products and expand their knowledge of the target platforms to meet development objectives and customer requirements.
The place of performance for this work is at a Nightwing site in Greenville, South Carolina.
Technical Requirements
- Ability to obtain TS clearance is required
- Experience developing embedded applications
- Experience developing and debugging Windows or Linux kernel drivers
- At least 8 years of experience with C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems
- Familiarity with static decompilers (e.g HexRays) & disassemblers (e.g. Ghidra)
- Experience developing against or working with large open-source projects (e.g. AOSP, Linux Kernel, OpenWRT, etc)
Desired Experience
- Team or task leadership experience
- Understanding of CNE techniques and methodologies on embedded and Linux platforms
- Experience with the ARM64/ARM32 Architecture or other similar platform
- Familiarity with Atlassian products (Bitbucket, Bamboo, JIRA, etc.)
- Familiarity with version control software such as git
- Reverse engineering ARM binaries
- Developing proof-of-concept exploit software
Education Requirements
Requires a degree in a technical discipline
This position is not relocation eligible, but a signing bonus may be an option for the sufficiently qualified candidate.
ERIN Eligibility - This requisition is eligible for an employee referral award. ALL eligibility requirements must be met to receive the referral award.
At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we’ll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients.
Thank you for considering joining us as we embark on this new journey and shape the future of cybersecurity and intelligence together as part of the Nightwing team.
Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.
Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
Principal Cyber Engineer
Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
CODEX Overview
Nightwing’s CODEX (Cyber Offense and Defense Experts) division brings together an elite team of mission-focused industry experts who are well known for their ability to overcome the most advanced technical challenges. The team comprises engineers of multiple disciplines including vulnerability research, reverse engineering, CNO/CNE development, hardware emulation, system engineering, and data analytics. Our engineers do more than just work with cutting-edge technology—they ensure missions succeed for our customers. CODEX offices span the nation and offer its engineers the ability to advance their careers through mentorship, training, and an expansive technical portfolio that covers every side of cyber. If you want to be part of a collaborative team that supports challenging, meaningful work that is vital to our national security, apply today!
Principal Cyber Engineer
Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) is seeking a cyber engineer to join our team to solve real-time cyber challenges, working on site with our end users in their spaces. Applicants will join a team of developers building high impact applications for Cyber Networking Operations, with continuous and meaningful feedback from users. Applicants are expected to integrate reverse engineering results into development products and expand their knowledge of the target platforms to meet development objectives and customer requirements.
The place of performance for this work is at a Nightwing site in Greenville, South Carolina.
Technical Requirements
- Ability to obtain TS clearance is required
- Experience developing embedded applications
- Experience developing and debugging Windows or Linux kernel drivers
- At least 8 years of experience with C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems
- Familiarity with static decompilers (e.g HexRays) & disassemblers (e.g. Ghidra)
- Experience developing against or working with large open-source projects (e.g. AOSP, Linux Kernel, OpenWRT, etc)
Desired Experience
- Team or task leadership experience
- Understanding of CNE techniques and methodologies on embedded and Linux platforms
- Experience with the ARM64/ARM32 Architecture or other similar platform
- Familiarity with Atlassian products (Bitbucket, Bamboo, JIRA, etc.)
- Familiarity with version control software such as git
- Reverse engineering ARM binaries
- Developing proof-of-concept exploit software
Education Requirements
Requires a degree in a technical discipline
This position is not relocation eligible, but a signing bonus may be an option for the sufficiently qualified candidate.
ERIN Eligibility - This requisition is eligible for an employee referral award. ALL eligibility requirements must be met to receive the referral award.
At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we’ll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients.
Thank you for considering joining us as we embark on this new journey and shape the future of cybersecurity and intelligence together as part of the Nightwing team.
Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.
See All 16 Principal Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in South Carolina
Where South Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in South Carolina
A snapshot from current South Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
What South Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across South Carolina.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program required
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the South Carolina Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors preferred for civil and systems roles
- Ten or more years of progressive engineering experience in a relevant discipline
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and set engineering standards
- Experience delivering large-scale projects in defense, advanced manufacturing, or energy sectors
- Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as CAD platforms, simulation software, or systems engineering frameworks
Principal Engineer Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in South Carolina?
Most principal engineers in South Carolina hold at least a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program, followed by a master's degree in competitive specialties. For civil, structural, and many systems roles, licensure as a Professional Engineer through the South Carolina Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is expected or preferred. Candidates without a PE license typically advance through demonstrated technical leadership, deep domain expertise, and a portfolio of complex project delivery across industries like defense or manufacturing.
Which companies hire principal engineers in South Carolina?
South Carolina principal engineer roles are posted by Celanese, Shutterfly, and Zachry and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. South Carolina's defense, automotive, and aerospace manufacturing base means a wide range of large, established employers consistently open senior engineering positions throughout the year.
Which South Carolina cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Greenville, Fort Mill, and South Carolina lead South Carolina in principal engineer openings. Charleston's concentration of defense contractors and aerospace employers drives volume on the coast, Columbia's state government agencies and research institutions anchor the Midlands market, and Greenville's advanced manufacturing corridor, anchored by Michelin's North American headquarters and BMW's nearby production plant, supports strong demand in the Upstate region.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in South Carolina?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused fields. About 83% of principal engineer openings tied to South Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on or facility-bound nature of many roles. Software systems and architecture-heavy specialties within principal engineering offer the greatest remote flexibility, while roles in manufacturing, defense hardware, or site infrastructure typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in South Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an associate or staff engineer role at a South Carolina employer that promotes from within. Boeing in North Charleston, Michelin in the Greenville-Spartanburg area, and Bosch facilities in the Upstate regularly hire new graduates and early-career engineers into structured development programs. Building toward a Professional Engineer license through the South Carolina Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors signals seriousness to employers and opens doors that remain closed without it.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in South Carolina?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in South Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings posted by employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find roles that match your discipline and experience level, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 16 Principal Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer Jobs