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.
$117K - $153K *
Join a dynamic team as a Fullstack Software Engineer, driving innovative solutions by building REST APIs and customer-facing components. Collaborate remotely within Canada to enhance engineering proce...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, NeMo Helix Core Platform
$184K - $356K *
Engage in cutting-edge AI innovation by leading the development of an open-source, plugin-based platform that enhances agent optimization and efficiency for scalable AI systems. Drive technical leader...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Renewable Senior Performance Engineer
$118K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to analyze solar PV energy yield assessments for utility-scale projects. Lead performance modeling and mentor engineers while expanding expertise across various renewable energy te...
4 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineering Manager - Material Handling Equipment (MHE)
$140K - $155K *
Empower your career by leading a dynamic mechanical design team in developing innovative material handling solutions. Drive technical excellence and ensure compliance while managing projects from conc...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, NeMo Helix Core Platform
$170K - $275K *
Champion the development of advanced AI systems by designing and optimizing a flexible Agent Execution framework that integrates seamlessly with various compute environments, empowering teams to condu...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$75K - $150K *
Champion innovative solutions as a Product Owner, collaborating with teams to translate business needs into actionable plans, ensuring quality delivery and client satisfaction in a dynamic government...
Reposted 2 days ago
Lead Warehouse Design Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by leading warehouse design projects, managing engineering activities, and collaborating with teams to optimize material flow and layouts for enhanced efficiency. Ensure successful im...
Reposted today
Senior AI / ML Engineer (LLMs)
$200K - $235K *
Transform AI/ML systems by leading end-to-end development of innovative solutions. Tackle complex challenges in medical synthesis and help define and deploy advanced features that enhance user experie...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior IT Engineer, Automation
$142K - $161K *
Unlock potential by automating IT processes and workflows. In this senior role, you'll own and enhance automation systems, ensuring reliability and efficiency while collaborating with cross-functional...
4 days ago
Resident Engineer - Rail (Remote Site Locations)
$100K - $120K *
Empower our Construction Management team by overseeing rail project operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and managing contractor activities to deliver successful infrastructure outco...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Thermal-Mechanical Design for Nuclear Power applications
$134K - $257K *
Join a dynamic team as an Engineering Manager, leading thermal-mechanical design initiatives. Drive innovation in fuel product development while fostering a collaborative culture and ensuring alignmen...
Yesterday
Staff Software Engineer, Billing and Monetization
$100K - $300K *
Join our team to lead the development of robust billing and monetization infrastructure, ensuring seamless payment integrations and scalable solutions for our customers. Drive innovation in usage-base...
1 month ago
Senior Offensive Security Engineer
$160K - $305K *
Join a team that's redefining security by proactively identifying vulnerabilities across diverse environments. Collaborate with engineers to implement impactful fixes and enhance our defenses against...
4 days ago
Senior Technical Project Manager
$109K - $197K *
Lead the charge in delivering high-quality technical project management, collaborating with teams to enhance customer web performance and security. Drive integration efficiency and foster strong clien...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Product Manager
$170K - $250K *
Unlock potential by owning a product area end-to-end, collaborating with engineering and customers to drive innovation and deliver impactful solutions in a dynamic market...
6 days ago
$83K - $104K *
Empower your career by collaborating on innovative electrical designs for mission-critical facilities. Engage with senior engineers, enhance your skills, and contribute to impactful projects while wor...
Yesterday
Director, Software Engineering
$200K - $250K *
Transform your career by leading cross-functional R&D initiatives that enhance platform security and modernization. Drive impactful engineering decisions while mentoring a team of Staff Engineers to a...
Reposted today
Senior Partner Success Implementation Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Drive partner success by providing expert technical guidance, leading complex implementations, and mentoring junior engineers. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product adoption and ensure opt...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive excellence in construction oversight by ensuring safety, quality, and schedule adherence across multiple projects. Lead onsite execution and coordination while fostering a strong safety-first cu...
Yesterday
Senior Software Engineer II, Mobile - On App Ads (AI Native)
$118K - $216K *
Lead the development of innovative ad solutions for a high-traffic mobile app, enhancing user experience while driving revenue. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement AI-driven workflows...
Today
Lead Platform Engineer (Data & AI)
$155K - $175K *
Unlock potential by leading the architecture and deployment of AI and workflow platforms, driving innovation across client engagements while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operat...
3 weeks ago
Senior Substation Engineer 2 - Grid
$100K - $152K *
Accelerate your career by leading high voltage substation projects, collaborating with engineers to solve complex electrical issues, and enhancing your skills through peer learning and client interact...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Application Engineer - Solar Inverter and PCS
$95K - $115K *
Provide technical support for solar inverters and power conversion systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure optimal product application in renewable energy projects, delivering proposals and soluti...
Reposted today
Managing Engineer, Software Engineering -Remote
$120K - $193K *
Engage in architecting and designing digital products, leading teams to implement innovative software solutions while ensuring accountability for product success and performance metrics...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $125K *
Champion the development of healthcare marketing tools by guiding cross-functional teams through the product lifecycle, driving innovative features and optimizing user experiences to enhance HCP engag...
Reposted 2 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.