Discover Principal Engineer opportunities at companies seeking experienced technical leaders. Principal Engineers shape architecture, guide complex engineering work, and help teams deliver reliable, scalable products and systems. Browse vetted roles on Ladders, where listed jobs pay $100,000 or more.
A Principal Engineer is a senior individual contributor who influences technical direction across teams or an organization. Depending on the employer and discipline, the role may involve setting architecture standards, evaluating technologies, solving high-impact engineering problems, mentoring engineers, and partnering with product and business leaders. Principal Engineers often lead through expertise and influence rather than direct people management.
Employers commonly seek deep experience in a relevant engineering specialty, a record of delivering complex projects, and strong system-design and problem-solving skills. Communication, technical judgment, collaboration, and the ability to align stakeholders around a sound approach are also important. Requirements vary by industry and role; some positions emphasize software architecture, while others focus on infrastructure, hardware, data, security, or other engineering domains.
Compensation depends on factors such as location, industry, scope, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced candidates explore senior engineering roles. Review each listing for details about compensation, responsibilities, and qualifications.
Search Principal Engineer jobs to compare opportunities and identify roles that match your expertise and career goals. Explore openings across companies and engineering disciplines, and use each job description to assess technical scope, team influence, and the experience required.
Staff Engineer, Software - GenAI
$126K - $215K *
Transform AI experiences by architecting LLM-based agents that integrate with real-world tools, orchestrate tasks, and scale in production. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation and ensure high...
2 weeks ago
Technical Leader - EMF Engineer
$115K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by leading research on electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and RF exposure. Collaborate with utilities and stakeholders to develop solutions and technical guidance for emerging en...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Python
$170K - $200K *
Advance backend solutions and frontend features, collaborating across teams to build scalable systems and AI integrations, driving product growth from conception to execution...
Reposted 1 week ago
$79K - $143K *
Join a team that's redefining release engineering by optimizing CI/CD pipelines, integrating AI solutions, and ensuring high-quality software delivery through innovative automation and collaboration w...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Architect robust Kubernetes solutions to enhance cloud infrastructure. Drive multi-cloud initiatives and implement cell-based architecture for scalable, reliable services. Join a team dedicated to bui...
4 weeks ago
$84K - $131K *
Join a dynamic team to provide scientific expertise and application support, enhancing customer experiences through product demonstrations, training, and troubleshooting while collaborating with cross...
1 week ago
$72K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team as you collaborate on innovative electrical designs, progressing from basic tasks to complex projects while ensuring quality and efficiency in a supportive environment...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Servicing & Fulfillment
$166K - $193K *
Lead and mentor a team of engineers while overseeing technical excellence and driving AI innovation in operational systems. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver impactful features for post-purcha...
Reposted today
Senior Architect, Professional Services
$170K - $220K *
Shape the future of customer solutions by leading implementations and driving adoption of innovative technologies. Collaborate with teams to deliver tailored architectural designs that meet strategic...
2 weeks ago
$131K - $222K *
Shape the future of logistics by developing intelligent planning platforms that optimize freight movement. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable solutions that enhance supply chai...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager, Observability Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Unlock potential by leading a high-impact engineering team focused on observability. Drive technical roadmaps, enhance platform reliability, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating with...
1 week ago
$113K - $254K *
Drive innovation by developing scalable Python services and AI-driven solutions. Collaborate with data science teams to enhance pricing automation and improve operational efficiency in a fully remote...
5 days ago
Engineering Manager - Secure Access
$140K - $170K *
Advance your career by leading a dynamic team in developing secure access solutions. Drive technical direction, manage project delivery, and mentor engineers while balancing customer reliability with...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Champion innovative solutions by providing technical support and product development expertise to customers in the Industrial market. Collaborate across teams to enhance product performance and drive...
5 days ago
$185K - $225K *
Join a team that's at the forefront of innovative project management, collaborating with scientists and engineers to drive complex client engagements. Your expertise will ensure successful delivery an...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Help us lead complex New Product Introduction projects, driving cross-functional teams to achieve project goals in scope, schedule, and quality while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer - Performance Advisor
$220K - $240K *
Shape the future of loyalty by leading the technical execution and innovation of AI-powered features in a rapidly evolving product landscape, driving cross-functional initiatives with a focus on archi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Lead Specialist, Technical Architect
$150K - $160K *
Partner with us to shape the quality strategy for a leading exam development platform. Leverage your expertise to guide multiple Agile teams, enhance automation practices, and ensure high standards ac...
Reposted today
Software Engineer - Mercury Command
$122K - $176K *
Lead the charge in evolving a cutting-edge financial assistant, enhancing user experience through innovative features and AI integration while collaborating with cross-functional teams in a dynamic st...
1 week ago
Engineering Manager, Integrations
$146K - $195K *
Champion the growth of our Integrations team by leading the delivery of third-party integrations and platform capabilities, fostering a collaborative culture, and driving continuous improvement for im...
5 days ago
$80K - $100K *
Unlock your potential by contributing to enterprise EDI and integration projects. Collaborate with experienced engineers to design, implement, and optimize solutions, enhancing customer satisfaction a...
5 days ago
Structural Engineering Consultant 2 - Nuclear
$145K - $222K *
Lead a structural engineering team, guiding projects for nuclear facilities. Utilize your expertise in design and analysis while collaborating with clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver innov...
1 week ago
Sr. Software Engineer - Stacklok Enterprise
$189K - $231K *
Innovate and shape the future of AI platforms as a Senior Engineer, designing and building critical subsystems for enterprise Kubernetes environments. Collaborate with customers and mentor engineers t...
5 days ago
$90K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing process engineering in Life Sciences. Lead complex design projects, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and mentor junior engineers while enhancing your...
6 days ago
Security Engineer Lead, Security Foundations
$160K - $190K *
Transform security solutions across multiple domains, driving technical direction and collaboration to address high-risk items and enhance Meta's security posture company-wide. Lead cross-functional t...
1 week ago
What is a Principal Engineer?
A Principal Engineer is a senior technical individual contributor who helps set engineering direction, addresses complex problems, and influences architecture and practices across teams or an organization.
What does a Principal Engineer do?
Responsibilities vary, but may include designing systems, establishing technical standards, guiding high-impact projects, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with product and business stakeholders.
How is a Principal Engineer different from an Engineering Manager?
A Principal Engineer typically leads through technical expertise and influence, while an Engineering Manager generally focuses on people management, team operations, and delivery. Some organizations combine or vary these responsibilities.
What qualifications are commonly required for Principal Engineer jobs?
Employers often look for extensive experience in a relevant engineering discipline, a history of delivering complex projects, strong system-design skills, and effective communication and collaboration.
How much do Principal Engineers earn?
Pay varies by location, industry, specialization, and role scope. Ladders features vetted professional job listings paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for compensation details.