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.
$170K - $205K *
Drive the development of safety-critical autonomous systems, ensuring robust safety performance through hazard analysis and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Contribute to innovative solution...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Partner with us to lead and manage complex projects, ensuring client satisfaction and timely delivery through effective coordination across multiple teams and departments. Drive project success from i...
5 days ago
$150K - $280K *
Drive system architecture definition and refine requirements in a collaborative, agile environment. Engage with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with customer needs and technical solutions...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager - Water
$130K - $176K *
Lead complex water resources projects, integrating technical and commercial strategies while guiding multidisciplinary teams through planning, execution, and client engagement to ensure successful del...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by supporting turbine and generator outage activities. Collaborate with engineers and leverage your expertise in QA/QC and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance for power p...
Today
Senior Manager, EPC Estimation
$120K - $145K *
Oversee global EPC proposal processes for Battery Energy Storage Systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions while driving continuous improveme...
2 weeks ago
Lead Civil Engineer - Renewables
$111K - $150K *
Drive innovative civil engineering solutions for utility-scale solar projects. Lead design teams, mentor engineers, and ensure high-quality project execution while collaborating with clients and stake...
2 weeks ago
Principal Software Engineer - Online Experience (Remote)
$140K - $240K *
Shape the future of customer experiences by leading software architecture and development across multiple product teams. Collaborate closely with UX and engineering to deliver innovative, AI-driven so...
6 days ago
$135K - $145K *
Deliver seamless integration and Tier 3 support for secure mobile infrastructure. Collaborate with enterprise stakeholders to ensure compliance, performance, and customer satisfaction while managing c...
Reposted 5 days ago
$149K - $256K *
Lead the technical strategy for complex global opportunities, collaborating with sales teams to develop tailored solutions. Drive technical discovery, architecture design, and customer engagement to e...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in designing scalable system architectures, optimizing technical solutions, and championing enterprise standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver innovative technology solutio...
Reposted yesterday
$168K - $181K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative AWS cloud solutions for scoring capabilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system reliability and efficiency, while mentoring junior engi...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager- Cloud Operations- Fedramp
$166K - $238K *
Lead a dynamic team of engineers in cloud operations, driving reliability and automation. Collaborate across departments to optimize performance and enhance mission-critical services for government cl...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Active Sensors (LiDAR)
$135K - $160K *
Drive the development of advanced machine learning systems for autonomous trucks, leading a team in perception capabilities. Oversee the complete lifecycle from data requirements to deployment, ensuri...
3 weeks ago
Staff Engineer, Identity & Access Management (IAM)
$180K - $212K *
Pioneer innovative IAM strategies to enhance security across cloud and on-premise infrastructures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement robust identity governance and access management...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager (City and County)
$130K - $154K *
Lead complex projects to enhance organizational efficiency, manage timelines, and coordinate cross-functional teams. Drive strategic goals while ensuring compliance and fostering strong stakeholder re...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Lead OBT Implementation Manager
$185K - $210K *
Lead the charge in transforming TMC implementations by defining processes, configuring platforms, and training teams to ensure seamless transitions and rapid go-lives across multiple projects simultan...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $170K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality HVAC projects. Oversee technical coordination, manage project milestones, and ensure seamless communication among stakeholders while driving pro...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Drive engineering excellence by leading autonomous teams to deliver high-quality software solutions for U.S. defense operators, integrating AI fluency into development practices while fostering a cult...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Engage in the design and management of enterprise endpoint technologies, ensuring security and efficiency across over 1,000 devices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance endpoint perform...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $240K *
Develop innovative PCB layouts and improve product designs by collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ensure high quality and compliance throughout the engineering and manufacturing process, while...
Reposted 1 week ago
$85K - $120K *
Elevate your career by developing innovative water treatment solutions. Collaborate with teams to create technical proposals, manage projects, and ensure customer satisfaction while adhering to safety...
Today
$100K - $120K *
Help us drive growth by identifying and closing automation opportunities. Collaborate with technical teams to deliver tailored solutions, build lasting customer relationships, and exceed sales targets...
2 weeks ago
Power Engineer, Physical Electrical
$140K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to execute complex physical electrical designs for medium- and high-voltage substations and utility-scale projects, ensuring quality and compliance from concept through constructio...
Reposted today
Specialist, Software Engineering
$110K - $183K *
Innovate the future of healthcare technology by developing scalable applications that streamline specialty prescriptions. Collaborate with a skilled team to enhance user experience and drive efficienc...
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.