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.
$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
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in overseeing high-impact projects, driving strategic initiatives, and fostering strong customer relationships while ensuring alignment with business objectives and delivering measurab...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Transform custom manufacturing workflows by bridging CAD/CAM solutions with client needs. Collaborate with Sales to deliver tailored demos, support technical validations, and represent the brand at in...
6 days ago
$80K - $120K *
Optimize your career by leading software testing initiatives, developing test plans, and ensuring high-quality deliverables in a dynamic, remote environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to...
6 days ago
Fire Protection/Plumbing Engineer II
$83K - $104K *
Join our dynamic team to enhance your plumbing and fire protection design skills while collaborating on diverse commercial projects. Contribute to construction documents and specifications, ensuring q...
4 weeks ago
Senior Director, Global SME Solutions Architecture
$244K - $409K *
Drive the development of a global SME organization, leading regional teams to enhance technical selling and product direction. Transform ambiguity into structure while mentoring leaders and collaborat...
3 weeks ago
Senior/Staff DevOps Engineer, Federal
$180K - $240K *
Join us to build and operate secure infrastructure for federal and partner environments. This hands-on role focuses on Kubernetes, infrastructure as code, and production support, ensuring reliable dep...
4 days ago
$67K - $115K *
Unlock potential by driving the design and implementation of fire alarm and life safety systems. Collaborate with sales and operations teams to ensure compliance with codes while managing project spec...
Yesterday
Project Manager/Program Director, Transportation Engineering
$157K - $283K *
Lead the charge in managing large-scale transportation engineering projects, overseeing all phases from initiation to completion. Leverage your expertise to drive project success and ensure compliance...
Today
$112K - $187K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Software Engineer, driving innovation in cloud technology. Collaborate across disciplines, mentor peers, and lead impactful projects that enhance our product suite whil...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Lead large-scale automation projects, guiding teams through all phases with a focus on customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and financial management in a collaborative environment...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$113K - $191K *
Shape the future of IoT by developing firmware for cutting-edge devices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and deliver real-tim...
3 days ago
Software Engineer (Contractor)
$110K - $130K *
Build innovative technology solutions for Equity Portfolio Management. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance functionality and maintain high software quality, while leveraging modern practices and...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Data Sources Team
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's dedicated to designing and implementing cloud-based solutions using Python. Collaborate on optimizing performance and ensuring robust testing practices while working with cutting-ed...
2 days ago
Staff Software Engineer - Core Edge Processing
$156K - $196K *
Optimize core processing systems by writing and reviewing production code, enhancing reliability and performance. Lead initiatives to improve transaction routing and authorization, while mentoring eng...
3 weeks ago
Protection and Controls Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Contribute to innovative energy solutions by leading electrical design projects, mentoring engineers, and ensuring high-quality standards in protection and controls engineering. Collaborate with teams...
5 days ago
Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$84K - $129K *
Champion innovative solutions in instrumentation and control systems for power plants. Collaborate with engineers to design, troubleshoot, and enhance digital systems, ensuring project success and cli...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion power system analysis by conducting modeling for transmission planning studies, ensuring compliance with NERC standards, and delivering high-quality technical reports while managing multiple...
2 weeks ago
Aftermarket Sr. Mechanical Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your engineering career by leading innovative conveyor and sortation projects. Drive technical solutions from concept to execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operati...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager Product
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of product development by leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with business goals and quality standards...
2 weeks ago
$200K - $225K *
Transform the future of cloud commerce by leading the design and evolution of scalable, resilient systems that enhance platform reliability and drive innovation across teams and products...
1 week ago
Lead Transmission Line Engineer 1 - Grid
$118K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to design high-voltage transmission lines, mentor peers, and ensure compliance with engineering standards. Leverage your expertise to deliver innovative solutions and enhance clien...
1 week ago
$108K - $130K *
Drive the design, deployment, and maintenance of cloud infrastructure, enhancing developer experience and operational reliability. Collaborate on CI/CD improvements and lead small-scale projects while...
2 weeks ago
Senior Full Stack Software Engineer
$144K - $189K *
Lead the development of large-scale product features, ensuring robust, secure, and maintainable code. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to influence product strategy while mentoring junior engin...
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.