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 Virtual Design & Construction Specialist
$90K - $110K *
Oversee the coordination and management of design models across software platforms, establishing BIM standards and schedules. Review models for accuracy, identify conflicts, and support project develo...
4 weeks ago
Director of Engineering - Remote
$171K - $285K *
Transform your career by leading a high-performing engineering team to deliver innovative digital solutions. Collaborate across departments to drive technology strategy and modernize capabilities, ens...
4 days ago
Solutions Engineering Manager | DX
$179K - $234K *
Lead the charge in developing a high-performing Solutions Engineering team, driving pre-sales strategies, optimizing processes, and collaborating across functions to enhance customer success and accel...
1 week ago
Site Civil, Structural & Architectural Lead (CSLA)
$120K - $145K *
Champion the delivery of civil works and architectural projects, overseeing contractors and ensuring high-quality execution from site prep to completion. Leverage your expertise to manage complex site...
1 week ago
Methodology Engineer (Silicon)
$120K - $145K *
Transform engineering processes by developing verification tools, dashboards, and shared infrastructure. Collaborate with teams to enhance quality checks and streamline workflows, ensuring efficient s...
3 weeks ago
Principal Consultant, Advanced Grid Solutions
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of grid modernization by leading complex initiatives, integrating advanced technologies, and providing strategic advisory to utilities. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative...
1 week ago
Internal Project Manager / Risk Manager
$100K - $166K *
Champion project execution and risk management in complex energy infrastructure, driving operational efficiency and digital innovation while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance projec...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer (Secret Clearance Eligible)
$160K - $200K *
Drive the development of cutting-edge AI systems by leveraging your expertise in Go and Python. Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize and refine scalable services, ensuring high performance and u...
Reposted 4 days ago
Project Engineer - Site Design
$85K - $100K *
Lead the charge in diverse civil engineering projects, applying advanced principles to design and oversee site development. Collaborate with teams, manage project scopes, and ensure successful executi...
4 weeks ago
$103K - $181K *
Unlock your potential by leading innovative rail transit projects, managing complex CBTC systems, and ensuring compliance with industry standards while fostering a culture of continuous improvement an...
6 days ago
Principal Software Development Engineer (Java/Angular)
$144K - $288K *
Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge digital applications leveraging AI, optimizing performance across major cloud platforms while driving excellence in software engineering practices and collab...
Reposted 3 days ago
Project Manager - Building Restoration
$80K - $95K *
Lead project management efforts for building restoration, from design through completion. Drive client engagement, technical development, and ensure exceptional service delivery while managing timelin...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Project Engineer - Civil/Water Engineering
$80K - $95K *
Empower communities by managing small to mid-sized municipal water projects. Lead from inception to delivery, fostering client relationships and collaborating with a skilled team to ensure high-qualit...
Yesterday
Electrical Design Engineer (Intermediate)
$85K - $105K *
Elevate your career by leading electrical design projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with clients. This role offers the chance to enhance your expertise while contributing to impac...
1 week ago
$131K - $243K *
Join a team that's driving sustainment transformation and adoption across programs. As a Project Engineer Staff, you'll lead initiatives, coordinate projects, and enhance processes to ensure successfu...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer & Team Lead
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in software engineering excellence, guiding modernization initiatives while mentoring engineers to enhance reliability and scalability in cloud environments...
Reposted yesterday
Principal Engineer - Agentic Security Operations (remote)
$170K - $227K *
Drive innovation in cybersecurity by leading the development of agent capabilities within our Security Operations Center, enhancing threat detection, response, and operational efficiency while ensurin...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $152K *
Champion innovative data solutions by designing and implementing Azure-based platforms. Engage in hands-on engineering to build reliable, scalable data pipelines and secure network architectures, ensu...
Today
$98K - $206K *
Drive innovation as a Senior Endpoint Engineer, collaborating with a skilled team to enhance endpoint management and automation, ensuring efficient deployments and robust security for critical systems...
Today
AI Solution/Principal Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Engineer cutting-edge AI evaluation strategies and infrastructure, ensuring quality and reliability across multi-tenant systems. Collaborate with senior teams to enhance product decisions through robu...
3 weeks ago
$94K - $129K *
Unlock the potential of IT security across the Americas, managing systems and protocols to enhance regional safety. Your expertise will drive compliance and strategic initiatives, fostering a robust s...
Reposted 1 week ago
$90K - $125K *
Innovate and design scalable, cloud-native APIs while enhancing legacy systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions, leveraging AI tools and modern techn...
1 week ago
Application Engineer - Virtual Extender
$95K - $115K *
Innovate your career by developing cutting-edge virtual embedded control systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create and validate virtual electronic control units, enhancing automotive...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Program Manager, Infrastructure Programs
$130K - $170K *
Execute end-to-end digital onboarding of complex AI data center infrastructure, managing cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, stability, and optimization of high-performance systems for p...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Principal, Signal Processing Research Scientist
$132K - $251K *
Elevate your career by tackling complex RF signal processing challenges. Join a dynamic team focused on developing innovative sensor technologies for defense and intelligence applications, leveraging...
Today
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.