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.

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$180K *

Drive the development of a cutting-edge platform, enhancing integrations and architecture for payroll and HR systems. Collaborate closely with a small team to ensure a successful launch and ongoing im...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

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

$126K - $162K *

Drive project success by leading design and construction phases, managing teams, and ensuring client satisfaction in commercial and mission-critical environments. Collaborate with stakeholders to deli...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead the IT workstream in executing complex business separations and transformations, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating critical activities to ensure successful outcomes in a dynamic e...

Dallas, TXRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$141K - $177K *

Join us to shape the future of cybersecurity by leading product vision and strategy for our innovative Autonomous and Continuous pentesting platform, driving impactful solutions that enhance security...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$198K - $258K *

Lead the charge in defining and governing architectural strategies for a secure and scalable software ecosystem across device and digital platforms, influencing cross-functional teams and senior stake...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$134K - $205K *

Explore a pivotal role in designing high-voltage transmission lines, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with engineering standards. Collaborate with clients and lead design activities to deliver...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$81K - $124K *

Lead the charge in utility planning and advisory projects, focusing on generator interconnection applications, power system studies, and advanced grid evaluations to support clients in optimizing thei...

CanadaRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $205K *

Drive modernization of nuclear power plants by leading and supporting control projects, coordinating across disciplines, and ensuring technical execution to enhance operational efficiency and client s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $236K *

Lead the charge in harnessing AI to transform customer experiences, driving enterprise solutions that enhance operational efficiency and measurable performance through strategic leadership and advance...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$466K - $500K+*

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by designing and building scalable platforms for large-scale machine learning model training, enhancing performance, and creating user-friendly experiences...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$113K - $169K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of software applications by providing technical expertise and customer solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product development and enhance...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$133K - $180K *

Shape the future of wood processing by optimizing mill operations and material flow, ensuring efficiency and sustainability. Collaborate across teams to drive modernization, execute strategic projects...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$138K - $214K *

Optimize project outcomes by leading preconstruction efforts for large-scale Data Center initiatives. Drive team performance, manage budgets, and ensure exceptional client relationships while overseei...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $175K *

Lead the charge in architecting and managing robust cloud platforms, driving modernization efforts, and automating infrastructure solutions for large-scale enterprises. Collaborate with top engineers...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$152K - $287K *

Engineer robust policy verification features for AI governance, ensuring accurate policy decisions and reliable integrations. Collaborate with security engineers to deliver production-ready components...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$172K - $225K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative fullstack solutions, guiding technical direction, and enhancing team capabilities. Collaborate across functions to deliver robust, scalable products while ment...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Elevate cloud solutions by designing, deploying, and managing scalable Azure infrastructures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal performance, security, and compliance while driv...

Texas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$148K - $201K *

Join us to shape the future of secure software delivery by developing AI-driven workflows and orchestrating complex systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create intuitive solutions that...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$199K - $235K *

Elevate your career as you design and maintain backend services that manage customer entitlements and usage workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity and deliver impa...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock your potential as a senior technical leader, guiding architecture and solution design across complex applications. Drive modernization efforts, enhance interoperability, and mentor engineers wh...

Chattanooga, TNRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $100K *

Champion innovative solutions as a System Engineer, driving client success through technology implementation and project management. Collaborate with teams to deliver projects on time and enhance clie...

Tampa, FLRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in transforming field innovations into commercial products that empower engineers. Own the developer experience, streamline workflows, and drive product strategy to enhance automation...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$86K - $137K *

Optimize project outcomes as you manage small to medium-sized initiatives. Collaborate across teams, navigate risks, and ensure timely delivery of quality solutions while enhancing communication and s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $170K *

Drive modernization of legacy systems by transforming Java/.NET services into cloud-native Python microservices. Leverage your Python skills to design APIs, integrate DevSecOps practices, and support...

Mclean, VARemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Innovate cutting-edge software solutions by leveraging advanced programming skills, designing intuitive user interfaces, and ensuring project success through Agile methodologies and technical oversigh...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

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.