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.
$110K - $130K *
Lead the end-to-end delivery of enterprise SaaS implementations, managing budgets, timelines, and stakeholder relationships to ensure successful project outcomes and high client satisfaction...
3 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Product Security Office
$200K - $250K *
Champion product security initiatives by leading a skilled team, architecting compliance frameworks, and managing incident response to enhance trust across all products and stakeholders...
5 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - Open Source (RD217)
$148K - $201K *
Empower the development of our open source software solutions while collaborating with engineers and community contributors. Leverage your cloud native expertise to enhance mission outcomes through in...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Software Systems Engineer Principal
$160K - $200K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of program management by leveraging your software systems engineering expertise and product ownership skills to drive innovative solutions in a cloud-native envir...
1 week ago
Software Systems Engineer Principal
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of program management solutions. Leverage your software systems engineering expertise and product ownership skills to drive innovation and deliver high-quality, c...
1 week ago
$108K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing a high-performing engineering team while managing complex design projects. Foster collaboration, mentor staff, and ensure technical excellence to meet organizational goal...
5 days ago
Principal AI Transformation Consultant
$136K - $160K *
Drive transformation by partnering with architecture and engineering firms to enhance workflows through AI-enabled solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to redefine processes, ensuring operational...
6 days ago
$130K - $170K *
Transform mission-critical computational frameworks by leveraging advanced software engineering skills, optimizing performance, and ensuring high-quality documentation for scientific computing in a dy...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Empower creativity by transforming ambitious concepts into innovative digital experiences. Collaborate with designers and engineers to prototype and build interactive projects, leveraging your technic...
6 days ago
$155K - $165K *
Join a team that's redefining enterprise architecture to enhance logistics and installation management. Leverage your expertise to drive compliance and modernization initiatives while collaborating wi...
3 weeks ago
$116K - $165K *
Transform your career with a leading role in marine mechanical engineering, overseeing design and integration for commercial and governmental vessels. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure complian...
6 days ago
Technical Architect Contractor
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leveraging your Salesforce expertise to design, build, and review secure, scalable solutions. Collaborate with clients and teams to ensure seamless integrations and effective deliv...
1 week ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, Full Stack
$170K - $200K *
Shape the future of financial technology by developing seamless web applications. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create high-quality software that enhances user experience and drives strategic inn...
2 weeks ago
Principal Solutions Engineer, West
$220K - $275K *
Partner with us to drive AI transformation in customer experience. As a Principal Solutions Engineer, you'll guide clients through the design and implementation of innovative AI solutions, ensuring al...
6 days ago
Civil Engineer (Structural Specialty)
$100K - $170K *
Shape the future of correctional facility design by leading structural engineering efforts, ensuring compliance with codes and standards while overseeing construction activities and providing expert g...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive impactful solutions by maintaining and developing Finance and Procurement systems. Collaborate with teams to analyze requirements, debug SQL queries, and enhance application performance for a se...
Today
$84K - $124K *
Transform software solutions by designing, developing, and enhancing applications in an agile environment. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality, scalable systems while ensuring transparency...
1 week ago
$139K - $174K *
Lead structural design for complex projects, focusing on data centers and industrial facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring quality and compliance while mentoring junior engine...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Engineer innovative power system solutions by conducting EMT studies and developing models. Collaborate with leadership to enhance team expertise and deliver quality advisory support to clients in the...
3 weeks ago
Application Engineer (Technical Sales) - Defense
$108K - $181K *
Create impactful technical solutions in military electrification projects. Collaborate with defense clients and provide expertise throughout the proposal process, ensuring compliance and mission effec...
Reposted 1 week ago
$100K - $170K *
Lead the charge in developing and maintaining electrical engineering standards for correctional facilities. Oversee design reviews, ensure compliance, and provide technical expertise to enhance system...
3 weeks ago
Senior Principal Engineer - AI/ML
$166K - $228K *
Engineer cutting-edge AI/ML infrastructures and lead cross-functional teams. Drive market research and innovative strategies to optimize server system designs, ensuring high performance and quality ac...
Reposted 1 week ago
$140K - $165K *
Create innovative solutions as a Software Engineer, shaping a greenfield platform. Collaborate with teams to automate processes, build data infrastructure, and deliver impactful tools while enjoying a...
Yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Drive the design and development of innovative software solutions while mentoring junior engineers. Leverage extensive technical expertise to enhance system architecture and ensure high-quality delive...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Automation
$134K - $199K *
Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI agents and workflows that enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into scalabl...
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.