Staff Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Staff engineer jobs in North Carolina are in steady demand, with strong concentrations in semiconductor manufacturing, defense and aerospace systems, and enterprise software development that draw candidates from entry-level through principal-level roles. The largest hiring activity is in the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill), Charlotte, and the Triad region around Greensboro and Winston-Salem, where employers like IBM, Lenovo, and Red Hat maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specializations in North Carolina right now are platform engineering, embedded systems, and distributed systems architecture. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 57+ Staff Engineer jobs
New as of 01/01/2026:
Your well-being matters from the start — benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.
Position Description
Catawba County is recruiting a highly self-motivated engineer for an entry-level Staff Engineer position designed to introduce the individual to the field of civil and environmental engineering, particularly in solid waste, stormwater, water and wastewater, infrastructure, and air quality. The Staff Engineer will work in a team environment and report directly to the Engineering Supervisor. This collaborative approach will help the new graduate become familiar with basic concepts, including fieldwork and testing, erosion and sedimentation control inspections and plan review, modeling, and engineering reporting.
Expected hiring range is $65,541.42 - $81,926.77 based on qualifications.
Responsibilities
- Project construction oversight (landfill, and/or water/sewer)
- Perform scheduled field inspections for sedimentation and erosion control small site permits
- Record inspection results from the field into the SmartGov or similar software system
- Provide communication and guidance to owners/contractors as needed for compliance
- Perform field work associated with Landfill State permitting compliance
- System Modeling of water and sewer infrastructure
- Prepare technical memoranda, electronic deliverables, and/or reports
- Evaluate concrete and street paving conditions
- Calculate material quantities and generate cost estimates
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a specifically related field
Additional Requirements
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certification or ability to obtain during probationary period
- Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
- Understanding of construction means, methods, and best practices
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with the public and other internal and external professionals in a tactful, positive way
- Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying standards
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- This position is considered light work; ability to lift up to 20 pounds on a regular basis; sitting most of the time with ability to walk during onsite inspections/investigations.
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certification
- Certified Professional in Erosion and Sedimentation Control (CPESC)
As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:
Health Care
- Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
- Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
- Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
- Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.
Employee Wellness
- Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee’s children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee’s adult children (ages 18-26) or employee’s spouse if covered on the county’s health insurance.
- Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
- Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.
Work Life Balance
- Annual Leave:Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
- Sick Leave:Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
- Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
- Flexible work schedules.
- Time off for activities that support our local schools.
- Continuing educational assistance.
- Discount tickets to recreational venues.
- Employee appreciation days/activities.
- Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.
Financial Security
- Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
- 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
- Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
- Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
- Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee’s annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
- Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
- Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
- Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).
New as of 01/01/2026:
Your well-being matters from the start — benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.
Position Description
Catawba County is recruiting a highly self-motivated engineer for an entry-level Staff Engineer position designed to introduce the individual to the field of civil and environmental engineering, particularly in solid waste, stormwater, water and wastewater, infrastructure, and air quality. The Staff Engineer will work in a team environment and report directly to the Engineering Supervisor. This collaborative approach will help the new graduate become familiar with basic concepts, including fieldwork and testing, erosion and sedimentation control inspections and plan review, modeling, and engineering reporting.
Expected hiring range is $65,541.42 - $81,926.77 based on qualifications.
Responsibilities
- Project construction oversight (landfill, and/or water/sewer)
- Perform scheduled field inspections for sedimentation and erosion control small site permits
- Record inspection results from the field into the SmartGov or similar software system
- Provide communication and guidance to owners/contractors as needed for compliance
- Perform field work associated with Landfill State permitting compliance
- System Modeling of water and sewer infrastructure
- Prepare technical memoranda, electronic deliverables, and/or reports
- Evaluate concrete and street paving conditions
- Calculate material quantities and generate cost estimates
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a specifically related field
Additional Requirements
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certification or ability to obtain during probationary period
- Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
- Understanding of construction means, methods, and best practices
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with the public and other internal and external professionals in a tactful, positive way
- Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying standards
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- This position is considered light work; ability to lift up to 20 pounds on a regular basis; sitting most of the time with ability to walk during onsite inspections/investigations.
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certification
- Certified Professional in Erosion and Sedimentation Control (CPESC)
As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:
Health Care
- Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
- Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
- Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
- Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.
Employee Wellness
- Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee’s children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee’s adult children (ages 18-26) or employee’s spouse if covered on the county’s health insurance.
- Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
- Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.
Work Life Balance
- Annual Leave:Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
- Sick Leave:Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
- Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
- Flexible work schedules.
- Time off for activities that support our local schools.
- Continuing educational assistance.
- Discount tickets to recreational venues.
- Employee appreciation days/activities.
- Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.
Financial Security
- Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
- 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
- Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
- Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
- Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee’s annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
- Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
- Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
- Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).
See All 57 Staff Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Staff Engineer JobsStaff Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Staff Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Science & Research
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in staff engineer jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Seven or more years of progressive software or systems engineering experience
- Demonstrated experience leading technical design across multiple engineering teams
- Proficiency in at least one major cloud platform such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Strong background in distributed systems, microservices, or large-scale infrastructure
- Experience mentoring mid-level engineers and driving cross-functional technical decisions
Staff Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a staff engineer in North Carolina?
Becoming a staff engineer in North Carolina typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or electrical engineering, followed by several years progressing through mid-level and senior engineer roles. Unlike licensed professions such as civil or mechanical engineering, software-focused staff engineer positions do not require a North Carolina Professional Engineer license. Employers in the Research Triangle and Charlotte generally promote internally or recruit candidates with a portfolio of cross-team technical leadership and system design work.
Which companies hire staff engineers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring staff engineers in North Carolina right now include Cutera, The Hartford, and Terracon Consultants, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. North Carolina's concentration of semiconductor firms, defense contractors, and enterprise software companies headquartered in and around the Research Triangle and Charlotte makes it one of the more active staff engineer markets in the Southeast.
Which North Carolina cities have the most staff engineer jobs?
Raleigh, Charlotte, and Durham are the North Carolina cities with the most staff engineer openings right now. The Research Triangle anchors the market because of its deep cluster of technology employers, research universities, and defense contractors, while Charlotte's growing financial technology and energy sectors drive demand there, and smaller metro areas often reflect the footprint of a single large employer or a regional research institution.
Are there remote staff engineer jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than most fields. Staff engineering is predominantly a desk-based, collaborative technical role that translates well to remote and hybrid arrangements. About 86% of staff engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how widely distributed engineering organizations have become. The parts of the role most likely to be fully remote are platform, backend, and developer infrastructure work, while embedded systems and hardware-adjacent positions tend to require more on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a staff engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is progressing through associate and mid-level software engineer roles at North Carolina employers before moving toward staff-level positions. Large Research Triangle employers like Cisco, SAS Institute, and Fidelity run structured new-graduate programs that place candidates into engineering rotations. Building a portfolio of system design projects and contributing to internal platform or tooling initiatives, combined with earning cloud certifications recognized by North Carolina employers, can accelerate the path from senior to staff engineer without waiting years for an internal promotion cycle.
Where can I find and apply to staff engineer jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to staff engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and preferred location or work arrangement, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 57 Staff Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Staff Engineer Jobs