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 Full-Stack Software Engineer
$159K - $164K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of enterprise applications by designing and maintaining robust web solutions in Azure Government Cloud, leveraging full-stack technologies to enhance user experie...
2 weeks ago
Traveling Construction Project Engineer
$76K - $142K *
Manage construction projects across varying locations, ensuring adherence to deadlines, budgets, and technical requirements. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project goals while nav...
Reposted yesterday
$102K - $120K *
Lead high-impact proposal efforts globally, managing complex RFIs and RFPs. Drive collaboration, ensure quality, and optimize strategies for proposal submissions in a fast-paced, deadline-focused envi...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Platform Engineer (ServiceNow)
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer the administration and development of core business systems, focusing on ServiceNow. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable solutions that enhance operations, service, and...
Reposted 1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive your career with impactful Terafina implementation projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to customize solutions, manage integrations, and support clients through all project phases...
Reposted 1 week ago
Director of Engineering, Webapp & AI Attack
$290K - $340K *
Lead and inspire engineering teams to develop cutting-edge web and AI security solutions. Drive strategy, execution, and organizational health while fostering a culture of innovation and accountabilit...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate enterprise AI initiatives by partnering with clients to drive strategic solutions. Leverage your expertise to engage senior leaders, design impactful demos, and accelerate deal cycles, ensurin...
3 days ago
$82K - $172K *
Innovate your career as you design and maintain mission-critical software for defense financial systems. Lead a growing team, integrate AI capabilities, and ensure compliance in both classified and un...
1 week ago
Senior Global Product Manager, Enabling Technologies
$120K - $145K *
Lead strategic product initiatives in advanced surgical technologies, driving development and commercialization efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance orthopedic outcomes and proc...
3 weeks ago
General Engineer - Direct Hire - SME
$88K - $105K *
Lead investigations into pipeline incidents, ensuring safety and compliance. Collaborate with federal and state agencies to analyze failures and share insights, enhancing national pipeline safety thro...
Today
Senior Engineering Manager, Payments Platform
$253K - $298K *
Lead transformative initiatives by leveraging AI and engineering excellence to redefine compliance operations. This role focuses on building high-performing teams and designing scalable solutions that...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior Architect (Mission Critical)
$118K - $147K *
Drive high-stakes architectural design for complex technology projects, ensuring innovative solutions from concept through execution while collaborating with leading global firms in a multidisciplinar...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Project Manager, Hydrogen Systems (Pre-Construction & Permitting Focus)
$86K - $135K *
Lead the charge in optimizing pre-construction workflows for hydrogen systems. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to ensure timely project execution and regulatory compliance, driving efficiency an...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate our software engineering capabilities by designing and building modern, cloud-native data pipelines. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure seamless project delivery and advocate for best pr...
3 weeks ago
Senior Underground Transmission Line Engineer 2 - Grid
$100K - $152K *
Transform underground transmission line engineering by designing systems up to 500kV. Lead project teams, conduct cost analyses, and ensure compliance with industry standards while collaborating with...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock your potential as a Project Manager, leading complex, cross-functional projects. Oversee multiple initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence while mentoring team members and enh...
3 weeks ago
$171K - $209K *
Shape the future of technology solutions by leading architecture design, ensuring compliance, and driving innovation across cloud and infrastructure. Collaborate with teams to enhance application mana...
2 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Lead the development of innovative Generative AI solutions, overseeing end-to-end processes from design to deployment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance enterprise systems and ensure...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in optimizing project management processes for a VHA client team. Utilize your expertise to enhance strategic planning, decision-making, and execution while collaborating with senior s...
3 weeks ago
$119K - $202K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions that enhance our proprietary technology platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality applications while optimiz...
1 week ago
$102K - $231K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions that enhance customer experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality applications while optimizing performance...
3 weeks ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (Full-Stack)
$250K - $400K *
Shape the future of AI by partnering with customers to design and deliver innovative data solutions. Collaborate with a senior team to tackle complex challenges and transform vague requests into actio...
5 days ago
Team Lead, Engineering - Time & Attendance
$160K - $187K *
Transform the Time & Attendance engineering team by leading technical delivery, fostering collaboration, and driving platform modernization to enhance healthcare workforce solutions and ensure data ac...
1 week ago
Technical Project Manager - Engineering Team Lead
$150K - $175K *
Join us to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in delivering complex IT modernization projects for the U.S. Department of State, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with mission objective...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer III - Developer Platform & AI Enablement
$102K - $136K *
Join a team that's transforming healthcare by developing essential tooling and AI capabilities for engineers. This role spans software development, architecture, and collaboration in an Agile environm...
Reposted 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.