Principal Project Manager Jobs

Principal Project Manager jobs are open across technology, healthcare, financial services, defense, and construction, from senior PM to executive-level, with specializations in program governance, agile transformation, and enterprise portfolio management. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles279+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top citySan Diego, CA
Work type48% Hybrid
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 279+ Principal Project Manager jobs

Project Manager, Principal Associate (Social innovation - Mobility Forward Focus)
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New 9h ago
Project Manager, Principal Associate (Social innovation - Mobility Forward Focus)
Capital One
Plano, Texas
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Hybrid
Six Sigma Certification
10,000+

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Principal Project Manager (BBGN)
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New 12h ago
Principal Project Manager (BBGN)
Naval Nuclear Laboratory
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Project Management
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$106k - $166k/yr
Remote (US)
Master's degree
5,001-10,000

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Delivery Executive / Project Principal Consultant
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New 12h ago
Delivery Executive / Project Principal Consultant
SAP
Atlanta, Georgia
Account Management
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
$201k - $341k/yr
Hybrid
No degree
10,000+

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Principal Engineer, Project Engineering (Hybrid)
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New 13h ago
Principal Engineer, Project Engineering (Hybrid)
Collins Aerospace
Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
$108k - $205k/yr
Hybrid
10,000+

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Principal Sourcing Project Manager
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New 16h ago
Principal Sourcing Project Manager
Tennant Company
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Accounting
Business Analysis
Business Strategy
Revenue Operations & Enablement
$105k - $163k/yr
Master's degree in business administration
1,001-5,000

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Principal Project Manager Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Northrop Grumman53
  • Collins Aerospace14
  • Amazon12
  • HDR10
  • Mott MacDonald10

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Energy
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Aerospace & Defense

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in principal project manager jobs.

  • 8 or more years of progressive project or program management experience
  • PMP certification or equivalent program management credential
  • Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders
  • Proficiency with enterprise project management tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet
  • Experience defining or enforcing project governance frameworks at scale
  • Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, information systems, or a related field

Tips for Your Principal Project Manager Job Search

Quantify portfolio scale and delivery outcomes

Principal-level hiring managers want to see budget ownership, team size, and delivery rate data on your resume. Replace phrases like 'managed large programs' with specific figures showing scope, timeline adherence, and measurable business impact.

Distinguish principal scope from senior PM scope

Many postings blur the line between senior and principal. Target roles that explicitly mention cross-functional program ownership, executive stakeholder accountability, or setting project governance standards, those signal true principal-level responsibility, not a senior PM retitled.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists principal project manager openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Align certifications to the employer's methodology

A PMP signals rigor to traditional enterprises, while a SAFe or PMI-ACP credential resonates with agile-first tech companies. Read each posting for methodology cues before emphasizing one certification over another in your application materials.

Prepare a governance case study for interviews

Principal PM interviews often include a scenario asking how you'd establish or rescue program governance. Have a real example ready that covers how you defined accountability structures, resolved escalations, and kept executive sponsors aligned across competing priorities.

Negotiate total compensation, not just base pay

At the principal level, equity, bonus structure, and professional development budgets are negotiable alongside base. Research the full compensation architecture before your offer call so you can respond to each component with a grounded counterproposal.

Principal Project Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most principal project managers?

Northrop Grumman, Collins Aerospace, and Amazon are hiring the most principal project managers right now, with openings concentrated in California, Pennsylvania, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially strong in technology, healthcare systems, and defense contracting.

How many principal project manager jobs are remote?

About 60% of principal project manager openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broad employer flexibility at this seniority level. Program governance roles and enterprise IT delivery positions tend to have the highest share of remote or hybrid arrangements compared to construction or on-site manufacturing programs.

How do you become a principal project manager?

Start by building a foundation in project management through progressively larger engagements, moving from coordinator or PM roles to senior PM. Earn a PMP or equivalent credential, then take on cross-functional programs with executive visibility. Demonstrating that you can set governance standards, mentor junior PMs, and own end-to-end program accountability signals readiness for a principal designation.

Can you get a principal project manager role with limited experience?

It's uncommon but possible if you've led high-stakes, complex programs in a compressed timeline. Candidates who close the experience gap typically hold advanced certifications, can reference a specific program where they owned full delivery accountability, and have documented stakeholder management at the director or VP level. Targeting smaller companies or startups with flatter hierarchies can also create an earlier entry point.

What does the principal project manager interview process look like?

Most processes run three to five rounds, starting with a recruiter screen followed by a hiring manager conversation focused on scope and methodology. Expect a behavioral panel with cross-functional stakeholders, a scenario or case study assessing your governance and risk approach, and a final executive interview. Some employers also request a portfolio review or a written program plan exercise before an offer is extended.

Where can I find and apply to principal project manager jobs?

You can find and apply to principal project manager jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, industry background, and preferred location, then apply directly to each opening that fits.

See All 279+ Principal Project Manager Jobs

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