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 Manager, Solutions Engineering
$279K - $333K *
Shape the future of customer engagement by leading a dynamic Solutions Engineering team. Drive strategic initiatives, foster collaboration across departments, and deliver innovative AI-driven solution...
4 days ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Central Utilities and District Energy
$120K - $155K *
Join a team that's leading the design and implementation of central utility systems. You'll manage complex projects, mentor engineers, and drive innovation in energy solutions for diverse facilities...
4 weeks ago
Senior AI Product Engineer, Backend
$125K - $225K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in AI by developing scalable backend systems in Go, Python, and Java. Tackle complex challenges while enhancing distributed architectures to empower high-performa...
Reposted 4 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Transform technical leadership by overseeing Oracle architecture and AI delivery. Play a key role in building a high-performing team while engaging with customers and partners to drive innovative solu...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing seamless integration solutions using Boomi and Intapp. Collaborate with project teams to design, optimize, and deliver effective results, while ensuring data security and...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
GCP Cloud Engineer/Architect (Remote)
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by designing and optimizing secure GCP environments, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver modern cloud solutions that support federal cloud modernization initiatives...
5 days ago
Principal Product Engineer - Imagery & Remote Sensing
$120K - $193K *
Drive innovation in remote sensing technology through advanced geospatial analysis. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance ArcGIS capabilities using imagery from various platforms, leveraging m...
Reposted today
Environmental Consulting Project Director
$202K - $289K *
Champion growth in environmental services by leading business development, managing complex projects, and fostering client relationships in the power industry. Leverage your expertise to navigate regu...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Support our Energy Resources team by conducting EMT studies and developing power system models. Collaborate with leadership to enhance staff expertise and deliver high-quality advisory services to cli...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of energy through advanced EMT modeling and power system studies. Collaborate with leadership to deliver innovative solutions and provide expert guidance to clien...
2 weeks ago
Principal Transmission Line Engineer (Remote)
$155K - $210K *
Advance your career by leading high voltage transmission line projects, utilizing PLS-CADD software. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and serve as a client-facing exp...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Develop and maintain core financial platforms, ensuring reliability and data integrity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement scalable solutions and enhance platform performance in a re...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $175K *
Elevate your career by managing innovative IT projects, leading Agile teams, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance system solutions. Drive client satisfaction through effective project delive...
Reposted 3 days ago
$110K - $175K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative technology solutions by managing Agile projects, guiding teams through the full development lifecycle, and ensuring high client satisfaction through effective...
3 days ago
Integrated Program Planner Stf - E4
$111K - $206K *
Join a team that's driving mission success through innovative program planning. Collaborate across functions to develop and maintain schedules, ensuring on-time, in-budget delivery of complex projects...
1 week ago
Principal Technical Program Manager - Computer Vision
$180K - $220K *
Drive the strategy and roadmap for enterprise-scale Computer Vision solutions, collaborating with internal teams to define requirements and ensure successful adoption of AI models across product portf...
3 weeks ago
Security Engineer, Infrastructure Security
$120K - $145K *
Join us to enhance the security posture of our production platform. As an Infrastructure Security Engineer, you'll drive remediation efforts, build security frameworks, and collaborate with teams to p...
1 week ago
Sr Software Development Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's dedicated to solving complex software challenges. As a Sr. Software Engineer, you'll design, build, and maintain robust applications while collaborating across teams to enhance our...
Reposted today
$144K - $200K *
Shape the future of enterprise technology by leading transformative consulting engagements. Collaborate with C-level executives to drive strategic initiatives in AI, cloud, and analytics, ensuring imp...
6 days ago
Senior Director, Dedicated Infrastructure & Platforms
$279K - $349K *
Drive the strategy and execution of dedicated infrastructure engineering, leading a high-performing team to enhance enterprise SaaS offerings, ensure compliance, and deliver exceptional customer exper...
1 week ago
$130K - $145K *
Lead the charge in developing precise cost estimates for major infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide technical advice and value engineering throughout all design...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer (Customer Platform)
$135K - $160K *
Innovate your career by leading the development of backend systems and APIs that empower customer interactions. Collaborate across teams to drive technical solutions and mentor engineers, ensuring sea...
2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer (Customer Platform)
$205K - $231K *
Join a team that's redefining software supply chain security. As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll lead backend system design, API development, and cross-team collaboration, driving impactful solution...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer
$121K - $145K *
Champion innovative solutions by building custom software for partners, engaging stakeholders, and defining architectural roadmaps. Drive efficiency and customer success through collaborative developm...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Program Structure & Trust
$150K - $180K *
Join us in shaping the future of enterprise compliance! As a key engineer, you'll design and deliver a robust org model that empowers complex security structures, ensuring seamless integration for our...
4 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.