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 Technical Program Manager
$127K - $175K *
Champion the execution of security and privacy initiatives, aligning cross-functional teams to reduce risks and enhance outcomes. Drive strategic planning, maintain clear communication, and prepare ex...
1 week ago
Technical Product Manager - Service Engineering
$112K - $126K *
Join us to lead strategic investments in Service Engineering and Technical Publications, driving innovation through AI technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product lifecycl...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Engineering Manager, AI Platform
$150K - $180K *
Lead and develop a high-performing Applied AI team, driving the delivery of production AI systems while ensuring security, reliability, and operational excellence in healthcare applications...
Today
Sr. Technical Project Manager - ECG Management
$105K - $158K *
Unlock potential by managing complex projects in digital healthcare, ensuring product quality and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive program success and address st...
2 weeks ago
$170K - $190K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions that enhance healthcare delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and scale critical systems, ensuring seamless in...
2 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Innovate the go-to-market systems by building AI agents and infrastructure that drive pipeline efficiency, ensuring seamless integration and reliability across sales and marketing operations...
4 days ago
$165K - $292K *
Shape the future of user experience by leading design across multiple products. In this strategic role, you will influence a team of designers, drive innovative product development, and elevate design...
Reposted today
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in accurate cost estimation for construction projects, ensuring timely completion and budget adherence. Collaborate with teams to analyze specifications and maintain high-quality stand...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate incident response capabilities by developing dashboards and alerts, optimizing cloud performance, and ensuring security compliance. Collaborate with product teams to enhance IAM needs while dr...
1 week ago
Software Engineering Program Manager
$120K - $145K *
Elevate your career by managing technical programs across global engineering teams. Drive alignment, enhance decision-making, and leverage AI to optimize workflows while supporting senior leadership i...
1 week ago
Principal AI Security Engineer
$172K - $240K *
Join a team that's redefining AI security! As a Principal AI Security Engineer, you'll lead assessments, design controls, and partner with teams to ensure safe AI adoption across the enterprise, drivi...
3 weeks ago
Principal Systems Security Engineer
$200K - $315K *
Create and implement robust security architectures across enterprise, cloud, and infrastructure environments, ensuring compliance with industry standards while guiding security initiatives and influen...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead cross-functional project execution in Medication Contracting, translating strategic priorities into actionable plans. Drive improvements, manage risks, and enhance collaboration across teams to e...
5 days ago
$160K - $180K *
Lead the charge in driving agile execution across product and engineering teams, managing digital product launches and enhancing client value through innovative solutions. Collaborate cross-functional...
2 weeks ago
Staff Technical Program Manager, Enterprise AI
$168K - $231K *
Lead enterprise-wide AI programs, driving operational frameworks and cross-functional collaboration to enhance efficiency and deliver impactful results across the organization...
4 days ago
Senior Java Software Engineer (Library of Congress)
$115K - $135K *
Lead the charge in developing high-quality software solutions, mentoring engineers, and driving process improvements. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance systems and deliver impactful results in...
Reposted 5 days ago
$150K - $200K *
Champion the resolution of complex technical issues for clients, leveraging expertise in Linux, networking, and cloud environments. Collaborate with teams to enhance service delivery and operational c...
5 days ago
$181K - $226K *
Join our dynamic team as a Software Engineer, where you'll enhance internal tools, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive improvements in cloud infrastructure and observability, all while working in...
3 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Software Development
$145K - $225K *
Lead the charge in software development, driving innovation and collaboration across teams. Oversee strategic planning and team development to enhance product quality and efficiency, while fostering a...
2 weeks ago
$130K - $252K *
Elevate your career by building and modernizing a full-stack document management platform. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design scalable solutions and mentor fellow engineers while leveraging cut...
Yesterday
Director of Construction Delivery
$220K - $340K *
Champion construction delivery excellence across global data center sites, managing GC performance and budgets of $25M+. Lead strategy, negotiate contracts, and represent construction risks to executi...
3 weeks ago
Lead Software Engineer, AI Platform
$164K - $240K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build AI infrastructure, ensure reliability and security, and guide technical direction while fostering engineer development. Lead innovative projects that e...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Program Dev/QC
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by managing diverse EV projects, ensuring successful delivery through collaboration, strategic planning, and effective stakeholder engagement. Drive project excellence while naviga...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $180K *
Innovate your career by leading product strategy and execution in AI-driven simulation and autonomy. Collaborate with customers and technical teams to transform complex needs into impactful product so...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer, P.ENG.
$120K - $130K *
Champion innovative electrical engineering solutions while leading project teams in the design and optimization of power systems. Collaborate with clients across diverse sectors, ensuring technical ex...
3 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.