TN Visa Principal Engineer Jobs
Principal Engineer roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under the USMCA's Engineer category, provided your offer letter specifies engineering duties and your degree is in an engineering discipline. Canadians can secure TN status at the port of entry; Mexicans apply at a U.S. consulate. No lottery, no cap for Canadians.
Find TN Visa Principal Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 5,314+ Principal Engineer jobs
See all 5,314+ Principal Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Principal Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES) is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer with a strong track record of implementing advanced power conversion technologies into aerospace-grade power supply and power conversion products.
Join our accomplished Cabin Electronics Power Team in Kirkland, WA and help us transform modern flight.
This is an on-site position that offers flexibility to work from home 2–3 days per week, depending on project needs.
Job Summary
The Principal Electrical Engineer will provide technical leadership for the design and development of in-seat power supplies and USB outlet units for commercial aircraft. You will lead the electrical design based on functional requirements, guide the engineering team through product certification, and drive technology innovation through targeted R&D activities.
This role requires extensive knowledge of power conversion technologies—including resonant converter topologies and digitally controlled power supplies—along with strong leadership, mentoring, and presentation skills. You will independently apply a high degree of creative ability, engineering skill, and judgment to solve complex problems and move programs to successful completion.
Role Objectives
- Design power supplies and outlet units that meet defined functional and certification requirements.
- Produce high-quality electrical design documentation to support development, test, and certification.
- Perform electrical simulations and trade studies to optimize designs for performance, reliability, and cost.
- Lead the electrical technical team to achieve successful product certification to DO-160, Airbus, and Boeing requirements.
- Conduct R&D activities and evaluate emerging power conversion technologies for potential integration into future products.
- Diagnose and resolve development hardware failures, implementing robust corrective design changes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the electrical design of aerospace-grade in-seat power supplies and USB outlet units for commercial aircraft from concept through certification.
- Translate functional and system-level requirements into robust electrical architectures and detailed designs.
- Propose, plan, and execute R&D activities that advance the group's power supply and power conversion capabilities, including evaluation of new technologies and topologies.
- Apply extensive knowledge of power conversion technologies, with emphasis on resonant converters and digital control techniques.
- Perform electrical simulations and trade studies using advanced tools (e.g., OrCAD, SPICE, SABER) to determine optimal design approaches.
- Stay current with industry trends in power electronics and incorporate relevant advancements into new product development.
- Ensure designs meet applicable aerospace industry standards, including DO-160 as well as Airbus and Boeing requirements.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive electrical design documentation, including schematics, design descriptions, analyses, and compliance evidence.
- Create clear, technically rigorous test procedures, test reports, and requirements documents, and present them as a subject-matter expert at internal and external design reviews.
- Prepare and present technical analyses, design justifications, and trade study results to internal stakeholders and customers.
- Lead and mentor the electrical engineering (EE) team on projects, providing technical direction and oversight to achieve performance, schedule, and certification objectives.
- Support product certification activities, coordinating closely with systems, compliance, and test teams to demonstrate requirements verification and validation.
- Troubleshoot development hardware issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective design changes.
- Support bid and proposal efforts and assist with new business and follow-on opportunities as a technical leader.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE required).
- Typically, 12 or more years of relevant experience in electrical design, with direct experience in power supply and/or power conversion product development.
- Demonstrated expertise with resonant power converter topologies and digital control of power supplies.
- Broad experience with advanced electrical engineering simulation tools (such as OrCAD, SPICE, SABER) and conducting trade studies.
- Experience designing to DO-160 and other applicable aerospace requirements, including Airbus and Boeing specifications.
- Proven ability to generate high-quality technical documents: design descriptions, requirements, test procedures, test reports, and presentations.
- Experience leading electrical engineering teams or providing technical leadership on complex product development or research programs.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- This role may involve access to items subject to U.S. export-controls laws or other applicable U.S.-government legal or contractual requirements. To assess whether any licenses, authorizations, or other exceptions are required, please indicate below whether you are a U.S. Person. If you are not a U.S. Person, the company does not guarantee and is under no obligation to seek such authorization if it would be necessary. This information is collected solely for this compliance purpose.
- An offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment background screen and drug test, including cannabis screening.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Salary range: $152,072 – $242,920 per year (midpoint: $197,496).
- Quarterly Profit Sharing Bonus eligible.
- Factors such as experience in comparable roles, skill set, training, education, certifications, other qualifications, market conditions, and business needs influence the actual salary offered. It is not typical to be hired at or near the top of the range.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Health & Well-Being: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, plus optional critical illness, accident prevention, and hospital indemnity coverage.
- Financial Security: 401(k) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
- Work–Life Balance: Flexible hybrid work arrangements for eligible positions, Employee Assistance Program, and a supportive culture encouraging balance.
- Generous PTO: Starting at 120 hours annually, plus 12 paid holidays per year.
Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world's aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For over 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, militaries, completion centers and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics. The Company's strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities that provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
INTRODUCTION
Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES) is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer with a strong track record of implementing advanced power conversion technologies into aerospace-grade power supply and power conversion products.
Join our accomplished Cabin Electronics Power Team in Kirkland, WA and help us transform modern flight.
This is an on-site position that offers flexibility to work from home 2–3 days per week, depending on project needs.
Job Summary
The Principal Electrical Engineer will provide technical leadership for the design and development of in-seat power supplies and USB outlet units for commercial aircraft. You will lead the electrical design based on functional requirements, guide the engineering team through product certification, and drive technology innovation through targeted R&D activities.
This role requires extensive knowledge of power conversion technologies—including resonant converter topologies and digitally controlled power supplies—along with strong leadership, mentoring, and presentation skills. You will independently apply a high degree of creative ability, engineering skill, and judgment to solve complex problems and move programs to successful completion.
Role Objectives
- Design power supplies and outlet units that meet defined functional and certification requirements.
- Produce high-quality electrical design documentation to support development, test, and certification.
- Perform electrical simulations and trade studies to optimize designs for performance, reliability, and cost.
- Lead the electrical technical team to achieve successful product certification to DO-160, Airbus, and Boeing requirements.
- Conduct R&D activities and evaluate emerging power conversion technologies for potential integration into future products.
- Diagnose and resolve development hardware failures, implementing robust corrective design changes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the electrical design of aerospace-grade in-seat power supplies and USB outlet units for commercial aircraft from concept through certification.
- Translate functional and system-level requirements into robust electrical architectures and detailed designs.
- Propose, plan, and execute R&D activities that advance the group's power supply and power conversion capabilities, including evaluation of new technologies and topologies.
- Apply extensive knowledge of power conversion technologies, with emphasis on resonant converters and digital control techniques.
- Perform electrical simulations and trade studies using advanced tools (e.g., OrCAD, SPICE, SABER) to determine optimal design approaches.
- Stay current with industry trends in power electronics and incorporate relevant advancements into new product development.
- Ensure designs meet applicable aerospace industry standards, including DO-160 as well as Airbus and Boeing requirements.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive electrical design documentation, including schematics, design descriptions, analyses, and compliance evidence.
- Create clear, technically rigorous test procedures, test reports, and requirements documents, and present them as a subject-matter expert at internal and external design reviews.
- Prepare and present technical analyses, design justifications, and trade study results to internal stakeholders and customers.
- Lead and mentor the electrical engineering (EE) team on projects, providing technical direction and oversight to achieve performance, schedule, and certification objectives.
- Support product certification activities, coordinating closely with systems, compliance, and test teams to demonstrate requirements verification and validation.
- Troubleshoot development hardware issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective design changes.
- Support bid and proposal efforts and assist with new business and follow-on opportunities as a technical leader.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE required).
- Typically, 12 or more years of relevant experience in electrical design, with direct experience in power supply and/or power conversion product development.
- Demonstrated expertise with resonant power converter topologies and digital control of power supplies.
- Broad experience with advanced electrical engineering simulation tools (such as OrCAD, SPICE, SABER) and conducting trade studies.
- Experience designing to DO-160 and other applicable aerospace requirements, including Airbus and Boeing specifications.
- Proven ability to generate high-quality technical documents: design descriptions, requirements, test procedures, test reports, and presentations.
- Experience leading electrical engineering teams or providing technical leadership on complex product development or research programs.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- This role may involve access to items subject to U.S. export-controls laws or other applicable U.S.-government legal or contractual requirements. To assess whether any licenses, authorizations, or other exceptions are required, please indicate below whether you are a U.S. Person. If you are not a U.S. Person, the company does not guarantee and is under no obligation to seek such authorization if it would be necessary. This information is collected solely for this compliance purpose.
- An offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment background screen and drug test, including cannabis screening.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Salary range: $152,072 – $242,920 per year (midpoint: $197,496).
- Quarterly Profit Sharing Bonus eligible.
- Factors such as experience in comparable roles, skill set, training, education, certifications, other qualifications, market conditions, and business needs influence the actual salary offered. It is not typical to be hired at or near the top of the range.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Health & Well-Being: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, plus optional critical illness, accident prevention, and hospital indemnity coverage.
- Financial Security: 401(k) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
- Work–Life Balance: Flexible hybrid work arrangements for eligible positions, Employee Assistance Program, and a supportive culture encouraging balance.
- Generous PTO: Starting at 120 hours annually, plus 12 paid holidays per year.
Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world's aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For over 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, militaries, completion centers and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics. The Company's strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities that provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
See all 5,314+ TN Visa Principal Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new TN Visa Principal Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Engineer
Align your credentials to the TN Engineer category
Your degree must be in an engineering field, not computer science or a related discipline. If your Canadian or Mexican credential uses a non-standard title, get a credential evaluation confirming the engineering equivalency before you start applying.
Target employers with dedicated immigration infrastructure
Large technology and infrastructure firms experienced with work visa sponsorship often maintain in-house counsel familiar with the Engineer category requirements. Prioritize companies with recent visa filings and established sponsorship experience over those hiring for the role for the first time.
Search for Principal Engineer roles using Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters open Principal Engineer positions by TN visa sponsorship history, so you spend time on employers already familiar with the process rather than educating hiring managers from scratch.
Get your offer letter drafted correctly before crossing the border
Canadians can present their TN petition directly at a U.S. land port or preclearance airport, but CBP officers have discretion. Your offer letter must specify the engineering nature of the Principal Engineer role, your reporting structure, and the project scope, not just the job title.
Clarify scope of work when the role spans engineering and management
Principal Engineer positions often blend technical leadership with people management. USCIS and CBP scrutinize roles where managerial duties dominate. Ensure the offer letter and any supporting documents establish that engineering work constitutes the primary function.
Prepare for employer E-Verify compliance questions upfront
Federal contractors and subcontractors must use E-Verify, and some states mandate it for all employers. Confirm your prospective employer is enrolled before you negotiate an offer, since TN workers must be verified through the same system as other authorized workers.
Principal Engineer TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Engineer role qualify for TN visa sponsorship?
Yes, provided the role is grounded in engineering work and your degree is in an engineering discipline. The USMCA Engineer category covers a broad range of specializations, including software, systems, and infrastructure engineering. The offer letter must describe duties that are recognizably engineering in nature, not purely managerial or product-focused, for CBP or a consular officer to approve the status.
How does the TN visa compare to H-1B for Principal Engineer positions?
The TN visa has no annual lottery and no numerical cap for Canadians, so there is no selection risk and no wait until October 1 to start work. H-1B visa requires employer sponsorship through a lottery that runs once per year and may require premium processing to meet start dates. For Canadian and Mexican engineers with qualifying degrees and a concrete offer, TN is faster and more predictable than H-1B.
Can I find Principal Engineer roles that already support TN visa sponsorship?
Yes. Migrate Mate lets you search specifically for Principal Engineer positions filtered by TN visa sponsorship, so you can focus on employers who are already comfortable with the process. This avoids spending time with companies that have never filed a TN petition and may hesitate once they learn the requirements.
What happens if my Principal Engineer title blends engineering and management duties?
CBP officers and consular officers evaluate the primary purpose of the role, not just the title. If a Principal Engineer position involves significant people management, product strategy, or business development alongside technical work, you need documentation, such as an organizational chart and a detailed duty breakdown, that confirms engineering work is the dominant function. Roles where management is primary may not qualify under the Engineer category.
How long does TN status last for a Principal Engineer, and can it be renewed?
TN status is granted in increments of up to three years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as you maintain a qualifying job offer and continue to meet the Engineer category requirements. Canadians can renew at a port of entry or through USCIS by filing Form I-129. Mexicans must return to a U.S. consulate for each renewal. There is no lifetime limit on renewals.