Principal Jobs in California

Principal jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in K-12 public school districts, charter networks, and private schools across a state with one of the largest student populations in the country, with openings ranging from assistant principal to district-level leadership. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area generate the greatest volume of postings, where large employers such as Los Angeles Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, and Aspire Public Schools maintain ongoing hiring needs. The most in-demand specialties are instructional leadership, special education administration, and Title I school leadership. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles776+
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring93
Work type46% Hybrid
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 776+ Principal jobs

HNTB Corporation
Managing Principal, Building Structures
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HNTB Corporation
Added 1d ago
Managing Principal, Building Structures
HNTB Corporation
Los Angeles, California
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Structural Engineering
$208k.38 - $346k.06/yr
Bachelor's degree in interior design
1,001-5,000

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
Principal VLSI Engineer
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
Added 1d ago
Principal VLSI Engineer
Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
Sunnyvale, California
Construction Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
$174k - $353k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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HP
Business Strategy Principal – HP Solutions Strategy – SW
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HP
Added 1d ago
Business Strategy Principal – HP Solutions Strategy – SW
HP
Palo Alto, California
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$131k - $205k/yr
Master's degree in business administration
10,000+

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Abbott
Principal Software Architect Pleasanton, CA / Sunnyvale, CA
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Abbott
Added 1d ago
Principal Software Architect Pleasanton, CA / Sunnyvale, CA
Abbott
Pleasanton, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
$131k - $261k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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Abbott
Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist – Vascular (on-site)
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Abbott
Added 1d ago
Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist – Vascular (on-site)
Abbott
Temecula, California
Business Operations
Compliance & Risk
Project Management
$87k - $173k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in biology
10,000+

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See All 776+ Principal Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Principal Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Principal Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Northrop Grumman
    Northrop Grumman151
  • Intuit
    Intuit45
  • Palo Alto Networks
    Palo Alto Networks17
  • Baker Tilly Canada
    Baker Tilly Canada16
  • Oracle
    Oracle14

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software21
  • Education7
  • Electronics & Hardware6
  • Accounting & Auditing5
  • Banking & Financial Services4

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in principal jobs across California.

  • Valid California Administrative Services Credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing
  • Master's degree in educational leadership, administration, or a closely related field
  • Minimum five years of certificated teaching experience in a K-12 setting
  • Demonstrated experience leading curriculum development and instructional coaching
  • Strong knowledge of California Education Code and state accountability frameworks
  • Experience managing school budgets, staff evaluations, and community stakeholder engagement

Principal Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a principal in California?

To become a principal in California, you must earn a California Administrative Services Credential through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The path requires a master's degree in educational leadership or administration, completion of a CTC-approved school administration preparation program, and a valid California teaching credential with teaching experience. Many candidates complete their preparation through California State University programs or university-based administrative credential programs before applying to open positions.

Which companies hire principals in California?

Employers hiring principals in California right now include Northrop Grumman, Intuit, and Palo Alto Networks, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large urban school districts, charter management organizations, and independent private schools are among the most consistent sources of principal openings throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most principal jobs?

San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara have the most principal openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to the sheer size of LAUSD and the dense concentration of charter schools, while San Diego and the Bay Area see steady demand driven by large unified school districts and growing charter networks anchored in those metros.

Are there remote principal jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. About 60% of principal openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the fundamentally on-site nature of school leadership. The portions of the role most amenable to remote work include district-level administrative roles, online school leadership positions, and education consulting or program director roles that fall under the principal title.

How can I get hired as a principal in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing an assistant principal role while completing a California Administrative Services Credential program. Large California unified districts such as Sacramento City Unified and Long Beach Unified regularly hire assistant principals from current teacher-leader and department chair pipelines. Serving as an instructional coach, dean of students, or curriculum coordinator within a California district builds the administrative record that hiring committees look for when filling a first-time principal opening.

Where can I find and apply to principal jobs in California?

You can find and apply to principal jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from school districts, charter networks, and private schools across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your credential level and preferred region, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 776+ Principal Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Principal Jobs