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 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
$105K - $115K *
Optimize security measures by leading technical solutions to mitigate information risks. Ensure compliance with corporate policies and oversee incident response, safeguarding all computing platforms a...
3 weeks ago
Senior Lead Electrical Engineer
$148K - $200K *
Champion innovative electrical design for mission-critical facilities. Lead complex projects, mentor teams, and enhance efficiency through technology. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project s...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower project success by managing financial coordination, stakeholder relationships, and full-lifecycle oversight. Drive effective communication and risk management while adapting to changing priori...
4 weeks ago
Project Manager (MEP Engineering)
$130K - $170K *
Shape the future of capital projects by leading multi-discipline teams to deliver complex design packages, ensuring quality and client satisfaction across diverse sectors including healthcare and gove...
2 weeks ago
$85K - $140K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative single-use product solutions through collaboration and technical expertise. Leverage your design skills to support customer needs and drive continuous improvement...
Today
$168K - $210K *
Lead the transformation of our build and deploy systems while enhancing developer efficiency, safety, and software delivery reliability. Collaborate across teams to drive technical innovation and opti...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Manager, Software Development
$95K - $135K *
Drive technical excellence and team growth by leading software development initiatives, managing resources, and ensuring project alignment with business goals while maintaining security and operationa...
1 week ago
Senior Embedded (Linux & RTOS) Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Solve complex technical challenges in embedded systems and real-time software. Collaborate with global teams to enhance IoT devices and applications, ensuring successful implementation and operation o...
Today
$70K - $117K *
Lead innovative structural engineering solutions for marine vessels, ensuring integrity and compliance with maritime standards. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational safety and performance in...
Yesterday
Lead Engineer Automation Quality
$105K - $149K *
Transform the future of automation by leading the development of innovative testing strategies and frameworks. Collaborate with teams to ensure high-quality deliverables through effective automation p...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Engineer, CNC Technical Solutions
$85K - $117K *
Play a key role in providing advanced technical support for CNC systems, optimizing performance, and collaborating with teams to enhance automation solutions. Engage with customers and partners to res...
1 week ago
$120K - $170K *
Deliver exceptional project management for complex HVAC installations, ensuring timely execution and high-quality standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive project success and resolve technica...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineering– ERCOT Modeling Team
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of energy by leading a team of engineers in power system modeling and NERC studies. Drive project success, enhance team capabilities, and support business development while ensuri...
1 week ago
Software Engineer 4 - Member, Commerce & Games Engineering
$250K - $413K *
Unlock potential by developing scalable, distributed systems that enhance our core backend services, impacting APIs, messaging, and payments. Collaborate with a talented team to solve complex challeng...
5 days ago
Head of Engineering, Insurance Division
$210K - $294K *
Shape the future of home insurance by leading engineering efforts that integrate AI into policy administration and underwriting, enhancing agent and consumer experiences while ensuring compliance in a...
5 days ago
$130K - $155K *
Lead the architectural vision for a federal spectrum data platform, optimizing integration and collaboration across teams to enhance federal spectrum management systems and support critical government...
Yesterday
$100K - $170K *
Engineer innovative mechanical solutions for DOJ/BOP facilities, providing expert analysis and support for HVAC systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance decision-making through technical docu...
3 weeks ago
Founding Senior Infra Engineer, Distributed Infra
$150K - $180K *
Manage the lifecycle of accelerator clusters, ensuring efficient capacity, reliability, and security. Collaborate across teams to enhance infrastructure, automate processes, and lead initiatives that...
3 weeks ago
21GRAMS- Senior Project Manager
$110K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining healthcare project management. Lead integrated initiatives, mentor talent, and drive excellence across diverse campaigns while fostering collaboration and innovation in a...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in shaping and expanding bridge design services across New England. Provide strategic direction, oversee project delivery, mentor staff, and strengthen client relationships to enhance...
1 week ago
Senior/Lead Software Engineer (Packet Forwarding Engines)
$120K - $195K *
Take ownership of developing and delivering software for packet forwarding engines, collaborating with engineers to design, implement, and test solutions for complex networking systems in a fast-paced...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by designing and implementing hybrid networks across AWS, OCI, and on-premises environments, ensuring secure connectivity and compliance while troubleshooting complex issues in a f...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of product design by transforming concepts into high-fidelity experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user interactions through innovative prototyping and AI-a...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Owners Engineer - Civil Structural
$110K - $130K *
Lead a team to design and oversee civil structural projects, ensuring quality and technical excellence across all phases. Collaborate with clients and mentor junior engineers while managing diverse pr...
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.