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.
$110K - $130K *
Empower innovation by designing and developing scalable cloud-native applications. Collaborate across teams to enhance Workforce Management and Customer Experience solutions using modern technologies...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of cloud-native applications by designing and developing scalable solutions that enhance Workforce Management and Customer Experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliv...
3 weeks ago
DevOps Forward Deployed Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Join us to architect and automate cloud-native infrastructures while engaging directly with clients. Leverage your expertise in AI and DevOps to drive strategic solutions that align technology with bu...
2 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Join a dynamic team to architect and deliver a cloud-native maintenance planning tool, driving modernization efforts and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution an...
5 days ago
$95K - $149K *
Lead the charge in delivering complex product development projects by managing cross-functional teams, ensuring customer satisfaction, and driving operational excellence from initiation to delivery in...
4 weeks ago
Staff+ Software Engineer, Memory & Search
$405K - $485K *
Join us to design and build innovative memory and search experiences that enhance user interaction across platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful products that prioritiz...
2 weeks ago
Lead Software Engineer - Digital Platforms
$165K - $195K *
Transform the web ecosystem by leading technical strategy and architecture across WordPress and Drupal platforms. Engage hands-on with coding while mentoring engineers and managing stakeholder expecta...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Sustainability Engineer - Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing
$110K - $130K *
Innovate your career with a key role supporting the global launch and technical operations of radiopharmaceuticals, driving compliance, quality initiatives, and collaboration with CDMOs while leading...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Lead Systems Architect, High-Speed Modems
$141K - $224K *
Optimize advanced high-speed communications modem solutions for space and terrestrial applications. Lead system architecture, manage requirements, and provide technical direction across multidisciplin...
3 weeks ago
Senior Platform Software Engineer
$150K - $200K *
Lead the charge in modernizing backend capabilities and AWS infrastructure, ensuring secure, reliable software development at scale. Collaborate with teams to enhance platform usability and drive prod...
5 days ago
Senior Product Manager (Modeling & Simulation)
$125K - $150K *
Lead product strategy and execution for a suite of wargaming tools, collaborating with users and engineers to transform complex technical capabilities into impactful solutions in high-stakes environme...
2 weeks ago
Sr. QA Test Engineer (Quality Assurance)
$95K - $130K *
Transform the quality assurance landscape by leading manual and automated testing efforts, ensuring enterprise applications meet high standards for reliability, usability, and performance while collab...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Mobile
$190K - $230K *
Pioneer innovative mobile solutions by architecting and building a robust app experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful features while leveraging AI tools to enhance dev...
Today
$160K - $200K *
Champion innovation as a Senior Software Engineer, driving full-stack solutions and leveraging AI tools to enhance IT lifecycle management. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver impactful softwar...
1 week ago
Senior Transmission Line Engineer 1 - Grid
$84K - $129K *
Drive the design and development of high-voltage transmission lines, overseeing project teams and ensuring compliance with engineering standards while collaborating with clients and vendors to deliver...
1 week ago
Director of Engineering, Data Products
$223K - $290K *
Lead the technical strategy for data products, driving clinical data capabilities and insights. Collaborate with teams to optimize data ingestion processes and implement AI-assisted development workfl...
Reposted today
Sr. Manager, Virtual Design & Construction
$120K - $145K *
Drive innovation by leading the Virtual Design & Construction function, defining enterprise strategy and standards, and enhancing digital delivery for data center projects across the organization...
Reposted today
Senior Staff Software Engineer, Content Intelligence
$144K - $241K *
Lead the charge in architecting and enhancing AI systems that empower global journalism. Drive technical direction, ensure system scalability, and mentor engineers while shaping the future of content...
2 weeks ago
Software Architect / Technical Advisor
$120K - $145K *
Contribute to architectural guidance and technical support across diverse projects. Collaborate with teams to evaluate solutions, adapt to evolving technologies, and communicate findings effectively t...
Today
Configuration Management (CM) Engineer
$90K - $110K *
Grow your career with a pivotal role in configuration management, ensuring system stability and compliance. Collaborate across teams to track changes, maintain documentation, and support deployments i...
1 week ago
Sr. Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
$165K - $225K *
Unlock your potential by designing and operating robust Kubernetes infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-performance, reliable systems that support enterprise-scale AI...
5 days ago
AI Workflow Project Manager - Electrical Engineering Automation
$98K - $164K *
Transform electrical engineering workflows by leading AI-driven automation projects. Manage multiple scopes, ensuring timely delivery and quality outputs while collaborating with cross-functional team...
1 week ago
$98K - $163K *
Shape your career by providing Tier III IT Systems support across enterprise technologies. Collaborate on projects, resolve complex challenges, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring operational e...
Today
Senior Quality Assurance Engineer
$90K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring software quality by developing and executing comprehensive tests. Collaborate with peers to enhance testing methodologies and mentor teammates in a dynamic and...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$63K - $111K *
Drive impactful construction solutions by coordinating design services, ensuring compliance with specifications, and collaborating with experts to enhance project quality and efficiency in a dynamic e...
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.