Principal Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin
Principal Engineer jobs in Wisconsin are concentrated in advanced manufacturing, engineering services, and energy sectors, with demand across senior individual contributor and technical leadership roles. Milwaukee, Madison, and the Fox Cities corridor are the busiest hiring markets, anchored by established employers such as Rockwell Automation, Kohler, and Oshkosh Corporation. The most in-demand specialties include controls and automation engineering, mechanical systems design, and electrical infrastructure. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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About Pierce, an Oshkosh company
At Pierce Manufacturing, we build trucks that protect people and communities around the world. To our team, there is no room for anything less than providing the absolute best. Since 1913, building truck bodies on Model T Ford chassis in an old converted church has evolved to creating highly customized, carefully designed and engineering pumpers, aerials, tankers and rescue units that have no equal. Today, you'll find more than 30,000 Pierce apparatuses on the road that are making a difference in people's lives, every day. To us, every step in the process of building our trucks is personal. From innovation and expertise, to the customization and service. Our trucks are designed to perform under the toughest conditions.
Principal Engineer - Cost Estimation R43695
The Principal Engineer - Cost Estimation will deliver cost estimates for new and existing parts by gathering and analyzing market data to include raw materials, purchased components, and manufacturing processes required to complete costing. The role will work side-by-side with engineers, sourcing and suppliers.
YOUR IMPACT
These duties are not meant to be all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned.
Provide estimates for proposal development, current production cost reductions, and new product development design to cost initiatives.
Identify and build cost model drivers to assist in design and purchasing activities.
Analyze supplier quotations and identify cost drivers (materials, labor, overheads, tooling, logistics, profit margins).
Participate in cost negotiation process to influence cost reduction and cost avoidance.
Consult with and advise product development engineers on economic alternatives for their design and suggest trade-offs.
Interface directly with supplier engineers to develop mutually agreed upon should cost models to understand cost drivers for use in pricing negotiations ongoing cost reduction activities.
Present ideas and solicit feedback to help support individual or team project assignments.
Participate on councils to share project results, present ideas, and solicit feedback to help support individual or team project assignments.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with five (5) or more years of experience within Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing, Cost Estimating, or a related field.
Experience with Computer Aided Cost Estimation (CACE) tools
Ability to travel 10%.
STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS:
Hands-on mechanical aptitude
Supply chain or Engineering experience within the manufacturing industry.
Advanced understanding of Cost Accounting
Knowledge of manufacturing sequence of events and Bill of Materials
Ability to read Engineering drawings and interpret GD&T
Ability to effectively communicate.
Strong time-management and prioritization skills, able to multi-task and prioritize competing requirements and meet deadlines.
Experience and proficiency with various web-based software applications including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.
- OSK1917
#LI-BB1
Pay Range:
$82,900.00 - $134,300.00The above pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target pay for the position across all U.S. locations. Within this range, individual pay is determined by various factors, including the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education and skills, as well as the equity of pay among team members in similar positions. Beyond offering a competitive total rewards package, we prioritize a people-first culture and offer various opportunities to support team member growth and success.
Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at corporatetalentacquisition@oshkoshcorp.com.
Oshkosh Corporation is a merit-based Equal Opportunity Employer. Job opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.
Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporation's legal duty to furnish information.
Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.
See All 26 Principal Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in Wisconsin
Where Wisconsin roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in Wisconsin
A snapshot from current Wisconsin openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Wisconsin Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across Wisconsin.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering with at least ten years of progressive technical experience
- Professional Engineer (PE) license issued or recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
- Deep expertise in a core discipline such as mechanical, electrical, controls, or systems engineering
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and drive complex technical programs
- Experience with product lifecycle management, design validation, and engineering change control processes
- Strong communication skills for presenting technical decisions to senior leadership and external stakeholders
Principal Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin employers expect a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and many years of progressively senior technical work before promoting or hiring at the principal level. Obtaining a Professional Engineer license through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams, strengthens candidacy considerably. Specializations in high-demand areas like automation, systems integration, or infrastructure engineering accelerate the path.
Which companies hire principal engineers in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin principal engineer roles are posted by Milwaukee Tool, Pierce Manufacturing, and Enerpac Tool and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Wisconsin's deep manufacturing and industrial base means that engineering-intensive companies across automation, energy, defense, and industrial equipment sectors are consistent sources of principal-level openings.
Which Wisconsin cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Madison, Milwaukee, and Brookfield account for the largest share of principal engineer openings in Wisconsin. Milwaukee draws the most postings because of its concentration of industrial manufacturers and engineering firms, while Madison's technology and university-linked employers anchor demand there, and smaller markets like Appleton and Oshkosh reflect the strong manufacturing presence of Fox Valley anchors such as Oshkosh Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in Wisconsin?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused fields because principal engineering work in Wisconsin often involves hardware, production systems, or on-site collaboration. About 63% of principal engineer openings tied to Wisconsin are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with hybrid arrangements being more typical than fully remote. The portions of the role most amenable to remote work include technical documentation, design review, and architectural planning.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in Wisconsin with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an associate or staff engineer role at a large Wisconsin manufacturer or engineering firm and building toward principal through demonstrated project ownership. Companies such as Rockwell Automation, Briggs and Stratton, and Johnson Controls hire entry and mid-level engineers into rotational or development programs in Wisconsin. Building a PE license, contributing to cross-functional projects, and moving laterally from roles such as project engineer or systems engineer are the most effective ways to reach principal-level consideration.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Wisconsin?
Migrate Mate lists current principal engineer openings in Wisconsin sourced from active employers across the state. Search the available roles to find positions that match your discipline, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 26 Principal Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer Jobs