Principal Engineer Jobs

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.

What Does a Principal Engineer Do?

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.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Principal Engineer Salary and Career Outlook

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.

Find Principal Engineer Jobs on Ladders

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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

Sort By: Relevance

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in certifying advanced FPGA systems for aviation safety, collaborating with FAA and DERs to ensure compliance through rigorous testing and development of processes, enhancing the safet...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's enhancing data integration for the U.S. Coast Guard. As a Senior Systems Engineer, you'll lead the implementation and maintenance of the Cloud Data Pipeline, ensuring robust data sh...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$245K - $260K *

Join a team that's redefining Digital Employee Experience and Unified Observability. As a Solutions Engineer, you'll partner with sales to drive technical strategies, solve complex challenges, and enh...

Ararat, NCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$153K - $213K *

Lead the charge in building a high-throughput decision engine for innovative card products. Collaborate across teams to design scalable systems, ensuring robust performance and mentoring junior engine...

CanadaRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $150K *

Elevate product innovation by leading cross-functional teams to develop AI tools and workflows. Drive project momentum through hands-on prototyping and clear communication, ensuring alignment between...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$196K - $309K *

Join a team that's innovating core intelligence solutions for AI products. Collaborate with experts to design, develop, and optimize cutting-edge features that enhance software development and drive p...

San Francisco, CARemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$118K - $180K *

Shape the future of power generation by overseeing electrical systems' performance, reliability, and safety. Collaborate with teams to manage maintenance, troubleshooting, and improvements across dive...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$102K - $136K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead electrical controls projects, optimizing production processes and enhancing safety. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions while managi...

Alberta, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $175K *

Engineer and optimize enterprise platforms for diverse environments, ensuring seamless deployment and support. Collaborate with clients to enhance cybersecurity, compliance, and observability solution...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $155K *

Oversee complex project delivery, ensuring alignment with client goals and financial control. Lead cross-functional teams, manage risks, and drive proactive actions for successful outcomes using estab...

Toronto, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$117K - $157K *

Join a team that's transforming enterprise AI solutions through innovative design and deployment. Leverage your expertise to build secure, scalable AI platforms that enhance business processes and dri...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$174K - $224K *

Empower organizations by shaping data governance strategies that enhance security, compliance, and operational resilience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful governance solut...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead project management efforts for complex land development projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality execution. Collaborate with teams to manage scopes, schedules, and budgets while fostering c...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$94K - $123K *

Lead the charge in advancing semiconductor test solutions, focusing on Silicon Photonics. Collaborate globally to translate customer needs into innovative products, ensuring technical excellence throu...

Washington, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $160K *

Optimize patient-facing and internal tools by delivering seamless integrations and AI-driven features. Take ownership of end-to-end development in a fast-paced telehealth environment focused on men's...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Drive innovative civil engineering solutions as a senior leader, overseeing complex projects and mentoring teams. Ensure quality standards and contribute to sustainable development while positively im...

Kansas City, KSRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $149K *

Analyze and enhance IT infrastructure through secure cloud solutions, ensuring 24x7 availability. Collaborate with teams to streamline workflows, improve system reliability, and tackle complex challen...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $175K *

Champion the future of network engineering by architecting and developing high-performance networks that power AI at scale. Lead innovative solutions and mentor a talented team to enhance global netwo...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$79K - $122K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative municipal engineering solutions. You'll manage complex projects, oversee data analysis, and provide technical support while collaborating with int...

Durham, NCRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$95K - $115K *

Empower your career by leading mechanical building system projects. Collaborate with clients, mentor junior engineers, and enhance your expertise while driving innovative solutions from design to comp...

Ottawa, ONRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$145K - $175K *

Join a team that's redefining cloud solutions by architecting innovative CaaS and cloud-native technologies. Collaborate with customers to tackle complex challenges and drive successful cloud transfor...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$111K - $144K *

Drive customer success by resolving complex technical issues as a Principal Engineer. Collaborate with teams to enhance support services, ensuring seamless operations and proactive engagement for Powe...

Denver, CORemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $160K *

Unlock potential by leading transformative Salesforce solutions in financial services. As a trusted advisor, you'll architect scalable solutions, align technology with business goals, and drive best p...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $289K *

Lead the charge in transforming customer integrations by leveraging AI and advanced technologies. Collaborate with clients to design and implement solutions that enhance business outcomes and drive sa...

Vienna, VARemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate client success by managing complex projects, ensuring timely delivery, and maintaining budget integrity. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive engagement and optimize project outcomes from i...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a Principal Engineer?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.