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.
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
INGENYX- Business Applications Engineer
$87K - $131K *
Advance systems management by enhancing ERP and HRIS platforms to support business growth, engaging with stakeholders, and ensuring smooth transitions with new releases in a global medical device envi...
Reposted 2 days ago
Forward Deployed Engineer (San Francisco)
$130K - $155K *
Unlock potential by driving innovative AI solutions through hands-on engineering and client collaboration. Transform complex business challenges into reliable, production-ready software while enhancin...
Reposted 3 days ago
Machine Learning Engineering Technical Leader
$256K - $333K *
Drive innovation as a Senior AI/ML Engineer, transforming concepts into scalable systems. Lead technical decisions, mentor peers, and develop hands-on solutions in a collaborative environment focused...
4 days ago
$85K *
Transform communities through innovative civil engineering design. As a key technical lead, you'll drive impactful projects across various sectors, ensuring high-quality solutions while mentoring fell...
3 days ago
Member of Technical Staff, Agentic AI Architect
$150K - $180K *
Pioneer innovative AI solutions by designing autonomous agents that enhance manufacturing workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize data pipelines and drive impactful results in a...
2 weeks ago
Principal Program Manager, Solution Sales
$170K - $222K *
Drive strategic transformation initiatives across Product, GTM, and Operations. Lead cross-functional teams, manage complex portfolios, and deliver measurable results while fostering clarity and accou...
1 week ago
$105K - $125K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of federal technology solutions. As a Technical Lead, you'll guide product development, oversee architecture, and mentor teams while ensuring compliance and secur...
1 week ago
$105K - $125K *
Engage as a Technical Lead, guiding product architecture and sprint execution while mentoring teams and ensuring compliance with VA standards. Drive technical strategy and oversee troubleshooting for...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion innovative solutions in a dynamic, remote environment, driving sales strategy and product development for public safety agencies. Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful presentations and...
6 days ago
Forward Deployed Engineer - Operational Intelligence Practice
$108K - $130K *
Unlock the potential of industrial data by developing and deploying AI solutions that drive operational excellence. Collaborate with clients to translate business needs into technical solutions, ensur...
Yesterday
Senior Underground Transmission Line Engineer 1 - Grid
$84K - $129K *
Engineer underground transmission lines up to 500kV, overseeing design, cost analysis, and project coordination. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance with standards and specifications while man...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Empower your software engineering skills by driving the development of essential features within a collaborative, agile team environment while maintaining the integrity of a diverse codebase...
Reposted today
$87K - $135K *
Drive your career forward by leading systems engineering for a cloud-based enterprise system. Engage in architecture development, integration, and modernization efforts while ensuring security and ope...
2 weeks ago
Principal Product Manager, FOCUS
$225K - $260K *
Lead the charge in defining product strategy and ecosystem roadmaps for FOCUS, driving impactful initiatives across the open source landscape while managing complex stakeholder relationships and foste...
4 days ago
$159K - $254K *
Shape the future of pay solutions by driving innovative projects in back-end systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance functionality and reliability, ensuring accurate payroll for re...
Reposted yesterday
$146K - $190K *
Shape healthcare innovation by building full-stack systems that enhance user experience, drive outcomes, and leverage AI solutions while collaborating across teams to understand business needs and exe...
Reposted today
Software Engineer (PDLC Tooling + Automation)
$100K - $167K *
Drive efficiency at the intersection of product development and customer engagement by building integrations and automations that empower teams with timely, relevant product knowledge and streamline w...
4 days ago
Senior Power Systems Architect
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's redefining power delivery solutions by engaging with customers to translate complex power architecture into innovative connector and cable designs, ensuring alignment between engine...
1 week ago
$106K - $198K *
Shape mission-critical systems by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop, integrate, and validate advanced capabilities. Drive technical planning and risk management while enhancing sys...
Today
Program Field Engineering Lead
$141K - $224K *
Join a team that's leading field engineering efforts for satellite communications systems. You'll oversee installation, integration, and operational readiness while managing dispersed teams to ensure...
3 weeks ago
$218K - $256K *
Lead the charge in shaping IT strategy and operations for a remote-first SaaS company. Drive service delivery, enhance employee technology experiences, and build a high-performing IT organization whil...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform the recruitment landscape by owning full-cycle hiring for GTM and R&D teams. Engage with stakeholders, shape strategies, and drive hiring velocity while ensuring a positive candidate experie...
2 weeks ago
$123K - $159K *
Partner with us to lead civil engineering efforts for major EPC transmission and substation projects, ensuring technical integrity and compliance while supporting the owner's project team throughout a...
Yesterday
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.