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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$175K - $204K *

Champion innovative software solutions by leading engineering teams, driving strategic initiatives, and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. Oversee technical execution and ensure alignmen...

Portland, MERemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $175K *

Empower teams by leading innovative technology solutions through Agile project management. Drive strategic initiatives, manage remote teams, and facilitate technical discussions to ensure successful p...

Mclean, VARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$201K - $309K *

Elevate security standards by leading the development of innovative software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate robust security measures, ensuring the integrity of applica...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$202K - $253K *

Shape the future of cardiometabolic care by driving backend architecture and cross-functional collaboration. Lead technical direction, mentor engineers, and deliver scalable solutions that enhance mem...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $383K *

Join us to lead the contracts function in a dynamic Federal contracting environment. Oversee a team of 20+ professionals, develop strategies, and negotiate complex contracts while fostering strong rel...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$118K - $216K *

Innovate and drive growth by designing and executing high-velocity monetization experiments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform hypotheses into impactful Android features, leveraging...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$159K - $210K *

Unlock potential by leading cloud security architecture and posture management across multi-subscription environments. Drive automation, establish guardrails, and collaborate with teams to ensure secu...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $170K *

Champion innovative structural engineering solutions for federal facilities. Lead design, review, and oversight of construction projects, ensuring compliance with codes and standards while enhancing s...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $165K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead the design and development of complex software systems. Drive technical direction, mentor peers, and ensure high-quality, scalable solutions that align with business go...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$170K - $190K *

Shape the future of data engineering by leading architectural improvements, enhancing data quality, and driving technical initiatives across diverse business domains. Collaborate with stakeholders to...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$165K - $253K *

Join a dynamic team to lead complex instrumentation and controls engineering projects in nuclear power. Drive innovation, ensure compliance, and enhance safety through digital upgrades and strategic c...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $175K *

Drive the expansion of PMO services in the utility sector, leading a multidisciplinary team while fostering executive relationships and enhancing project delivery. Leverage extensive industry expertis...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $125K *

Lead and coordinate engineering projects, ensuring technical quality and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions while managing resources, schedules, and bu...

Huntsville, ALRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$77K - $108K *

Innovate high-performance AI network fabrics for accelerated computing. Engage with clients to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring optimal configurations for GPU clusters and data-center infrastructu...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$107K - $204K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of advanced materials modeling tools for gas turbine engines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing processes and drive innovatio...

East Hartford, CTRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Transform the construction services landscape by leading a dynamic CEI program, ensuring compliance and quality in roadway and bridge projects while fostering strong partnerships with VDOT and local a...

Richmond, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Transform the construction landscape in Virginia by leading a dynamic CEI program. Oversee roadway and bridge projects, foster client relationships, and mentor a dedicated team to ensure excellence in...

Norfolk, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Build a transformative construction services program in Virginia, overseeing CEI services for roadway and bridge projects. Lead a dedicated team, foster client relationships, and drive strategic growt...

Virginia Beach, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$217K - $303K *

Lead the charge in evolving a cohesive design system for Android, enhancing UI architecture and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build reusable components and improve accessibil...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of construction services by leading a dynamic program, overseeing roadway and bridge projects, and fostering strong partnerships with VDOT and local agencies while mentoring a skilled...

Culpeper, VARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$180K - $225K *

Transform the future of auto claims by designing AI agents that enhance decision-making and streamline processes. Join a dynamic team to build innovative solutions that improve efficiency and accuracy...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$187K - $220K *

Unlock potential by designing and building AI-powered solutions to enhance enterprise IT operations, collaborating directly with customers and driving impactful product features across backend and aut...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in strategic growth and relationship development for a portfolio of EPE clients. Drive business development, uncover opportunities, and enhance client engagement to expand EPE’s footpr...

Austin, TXRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$90K - $100K *

Contribute to the development and integration of mission-critical systems, applying systems engineering principles to ensure high reliability and security. Collaborate across teams to support the enti...

Pittsfield, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$137K - $245K *

Shape the future of physical operations by driving AI-powered product innovation. Collaborate across teams to identify customer needs, prototype solutions, and deliver impactful products that enhance...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.