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.
$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
Staff Product Manager, AGSE Service
$135K - $160K *
Transform the future of autonomous ground support equipment by leading product strategy and roadmap development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and reliability...
2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Designer 2 - Nuclear Power
$85K - $130K *
Drive the design and modification of power plant electrical systems, collaborating with multi-disciplined teams to create detailed diagrams and wiring drawings. Engage in field data gathering and ensu...
6 days ago
$205K - $250K *
Lead the charge in resource geology by developing geological models and ensuring compliance with international standards. Oversee technical reports and mentor teams while driving business development...
4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineering - Autonomy Build & Integration
$115K - $164K *
Elevate your software engineering career as you lead projects, enhance CI/CD workflows, and mentor team members, ensuring high quality and reliability in our autonomous driving technology initiatives...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Partner Integrations
$229K - $260K *
Transform the integration landscape by architecting robust connections between NodeZero and key security platforms, ensuring reliability and observability while mentoring engineers and driving technic...
1 week ago
Assistant Commissioning Project Manager
$87K - $115K *
Transform critical facilities by providing technical leadership in commissioning projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance, manage schedules, and execute testing for complex electr...
4 days ago
Senior Technical Program Manager
$125K - $150K *
Transform complex customer implementations into seamless successes by owning the delivery lifecycle, driving technical discussions, and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction from kickoff to go-live. Your...
5 days ago
Outside Sales Engineer (Direct Channel) - Linear Technologies
$95K - $115K *
Drive strategic growth by developing key customer relationships and expanding market presence through effective technical sales strategies and solutions in the automation industry...
1 week ago
$83K - $124K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, enhancing software delivery and operational stability for enterprise applications while collaborating with cross-functiona...
1 week ago
$105K - $158K *
Manage the successful delivery of healthcare IT projects, coordinating stakeholders and ensuring compliance with standards while driving customer engagement and adoption across acute care environments...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager - Network Delivery
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee the delivery of cutting-edge telecommunications and network infrastructure for data center operations, ensuring seamless connectivity and project execution across multip...
2 weeks ago
Senior Geomechanics Engineer (CAN)
$130K - $180K *
Optimize geomechanical solutions for mining projects by integrating data, developing models, and providing technical recommendations. Collaborate with a diverse team to enhance project outcomes and me...
4 weeks ago
Onboarding Engineer Technical Lead
$75K - $90K *
Elevate your career by leading a team of Onboarding Engineers, driving project efficiency, and enhancing processes. Foster collaboration and accountability while ensuring high-quality service delivery...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in harmonizing product transfers, ensuring compliance and quality across global assignments while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance efficiency and product integrity...
Reposted 2 days ago
$120K - $150K *
Elevate your career by designing and delivering innovative video solutions across diverse sectors. Collaborate with teams to create scalable architectures that enhance broadcast, streaming, and cloud...
4 weeks ago
$86K - $126K *
Join our dynamic Engineering team to lead civil design projects, focusing on stormwater management and erosion control. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality solutions while...
2 weeks ago
Solutions Architect, Enterprise
$224K - $326K *
Serve as a technical leader for large customers, guiding AI cloud strategies. Connect business priorities with scalable architecture while managing executive engagements and navigating complex decisio...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Supplier Quality Engineer- Mechanical
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of supplier quality in mechanical engineering by overseeing the quality assurance of critical components and systems. Collaborate with suppliers to ensure compliance, execute testing...
Today
Control System Engineer - (Strong Delta V experience)
$93K - $156K *
Explore new horizons as you design and implement advanced control systems, ensuring optimal performance and customer satisfaction while collaborating with diverse teams to deliver innovative solutions...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Autonomy Actions Sustaining
$172K - $229K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of autonomous vehicle software by diagnosing and deploying solutions. Join a dynamic team to enhance capabilities and resolve complex challenges in a high-stakes e...
3 weeks ago
Horizontal Engineer - Structural / Bridge
$100K - $130K *
Drive the design and analysis of transportation structures, ensuring compliance with AASHTO standards while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on projects across Colorado and Arizona...
3 weeks ago
Senior Full Stack Engineer, Customer & Cardholder Experiences
$116K - $145K *
Innovate and enhance user experiences by designing and developing robust software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful projects while mentoring junior engineers and...
4 weeks ago
Lead Civil/Structural Construction Specialist 2 -- Field Assignment
$134K - $205K *
Drive civil and structural construction excellence by managing on-site activities, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, and collaborating with diverse teams to meet project milestone...
5 days ago
Senior Software Engineer (Python / AI Insurance SaaS)
$200K - $225K *
Drive the design and delivery of innovative AI-driven applications. Oversee the full development lifecycle, ensuring scalability and reliability in multi-tenant enterprise solutions while collaboratin...
Reposted 2 days 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.