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.
Senior Systems Simulation Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of embedded systems and simulation technologies. Collaborate globally to tackle complex technical challenges, enhance product reliability, and support innovative...
Today
$150K - $180K *
Champion the development of an AI platform by leading a team to architect and build essential systems for AI-driven applications, ensuring reliability and scalability while collaborating with cross-fu...
4 weeks ago
$151K - $176K *
Lead the charge in ensuring compliance and optimization for next-gen satellite communications by translating complex regulations and providing technical guidance across multidisciplinary teams, drivin...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Product Manager, Applied AI
$153K - $213K *
Drive efficiency by automating internal processes, enhancing productivity across teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, implement AI solutions, and ensure measurable impact on w...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer (Insurance Tech)
$245K - $270K *
Shape the future as a hands-on engineer, architecting systems and driving best practices while crafting innovative solutions that leverage AI to enhance customer value and modernize legacy platforms...
Reposted 2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in transforming engineering processes for Jama, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and technical excellence. Drive integration, training, and support while managing a divers...
6 days ago
$88K - $154K *
Champion the successful execution of field projects, ensuring adherence to budget, timeline, and quality standards while leading teams and coordinating with stakeholders in a dynamic environment...
5 days ago
Principal Software Engineer - (Reston or Cambridge)
$169K - $304K *
Join a team that's driving technical innovation by architecting scalable systems for public sector cloud platforms. Lead engineering excellence and mentor teams while ensuring reliability and resilien...
Yesterday
$125K - $155K *
Join our dynamic team as a Senior Solutions Engineer, where you'll leverage your technical expertise to drive pre-sales activities, engage with clients, and deliver tailored solutions that enhance bus...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform the future of automation by leading innovative robotic solutions. Drive design, compliance, and manufacturing processes while mentoring a high-performing team in a dynamic, growth-stage envi...
2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Consumer 360
$154K - $227K *
Join a dynamic team as a technical leader, driving scalable software solutions and mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to enhance engineering practices and deliver innovative AI-driven appli...
1 week ago
Senior Engineering Consultant - Equity Due Diligence
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading complex commercial real estate due diligence projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide technical guidance and client leadership, ensuring high-quality d...
1 week ago
Software Engineer II- ECM Specialization
$56K - $114K *
Drive the development and support of innovative ECM solutions in an Agile environment, focusing on workflow automation and integration with enterprise applications. Collaborate with cross-functional t...
6 days ago
Senior Director, Client Operations
$192K - $266K *
Drive best-in-class travel support through strategic leadership and operational excellence. Oversee lodging, flights, and customer advocacy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and exception...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Partner Integrations
$199K - $235K *
Unlock potential by designing and maintaining integrations that connect NodeZero with key security platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance reliability and observability, ensuring seamless user ex...
Today
$148K - $256K *
Shape the future of data engineering by architecting scalable, cloud-native data platforms on Azure and Databricks. Influence the organization’s data practices to leverage AI-driven insights, driving...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform project outcomes by leading the estimating team, ensuring accurate cost assessments, and identifying value engineering opportunities. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver comprehensive p...
2 weeks ago
$146K - $282K *
Engineer high-quality software solutions, mentor team members, and drive architectural decisions in an AI-driven environment, ensuring excellence and collaboration across product development...
3 weeks ago
$160K - $175K *
Elevate process safety standards by leading complex hazard analyses and compliance audits. Collaborate with diverse clients, mentor engineers, and drive project success while ensuring high-quality ser...
Today
Lead Electrical Engineer, Datacenter
$138K - $184K *
Lead the charge in designing resilient electrical systems for mission-critical facilities. Collaborate with teams to oversee full-cycle electrical design, ensuring high availability and operational ex...
Yesterday
$135K - $150K *
Unlock your potential by leading high-stakes proposals for public agencies in the rail and transit sector. Drive strategy, mentor teams, and craft compelling narratives to elevate project pursuits and...
4 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager - Client Group
$230K - $250K *
Innovate with us to lead a talented engineering team, driving technical strategy and cross-functional collaboration. Shape impactful systems in billing and enrollment while fostering a culture of owne...
1 week ago
$95K - $135K *
Transform the future of financial products by building end-to-end experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions that enhance user interactions and drive business...
1 week ago
$160K - $170K *
Elevate data engineering excellence by designing and implementing complex data solutions, mentoring engineers, and collaborating across teams to drive impactful data initiatives and architectural inno...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior People Business Partner, Engineering
$115K - $194K *
Unlock your potential as a strategic partner to senior Engineering leaders, driving organizational change and fostering a high-performance culture across global teams in a fast-paced tech environment...
2 weeks 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.