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.
$96K - $148K *
Join a team that's enhancing mission-critical IT services by managing and supporting UNIX/Linux systems in a dynamic environment. Leverage your expertise to implement improvements and ensure robust cy...
6 days ago
Security Systems Project Manager (Non-Technical)
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and driving strategic initiatives. This role focuses on program coordination, process improvement, and project tracking within a global...
3 days ago
Senior Manager, Site Acquisition Lead
$120K - $145K *
Optimize site acquisition strategies for data center projects, leading evaluations and negotiations to secure land and power infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure feasibili...
4 days ago
Project Manager, Industrial Controls Implementation
$116K - $170K *
Join a dynamic team to drive the planning and execution of PLC updates, ensuring seamless operations across automated warehouse sites while coordinating with cross-functional partners and enhancing de...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Partner Solutions Architect, Strategic Partnerships
$115K - $194K *
Lead the technical strategy for strategic partnerships, transforming partner needs into integrations and influencing product design. Collaborate with R&D to evaluate AI models and enhance GitLab's off...
2 weeks ago
Senior Program Manager, Leader Enablement & Development
$110K - $130K *
Transform frontline manager development by leading strategic programs that enhance coaching, deal inspection, and pipeline management. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive consistent team performan...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - Sales
$110K - $130K *
Drive project success by leading multiple initiatives from inception to completion, ensuring clear objectives and deliverables while collaborating with stakeholders to achieve performance goals and ma...
Reposted 2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in optimizing high-performance storage systems for GPU clusters. You'll design, deploy, and maintain robust storage infrastructure to ensure seamless AI workloads, while swiftly troubl...
Reposted 5 days ago
Principal Should Cost Engineer (Remote)
$107K - $204K *
Transform cost engineering by leading modeling and benchmarking efforts, driving transparency in supplier negotiations across diverse products. Collaborate with teams to develop innovative cost soluti...
2 weeks ago
Manager of Transmission Line Engineering
$116K - $210K *
Manage a dynamic team to design and oversee high voltage transmission projects, ensuring compliance with standards. Collaborate across project teams while mentoring staff, managing client relations, a...
Reposted yesterday
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer (Remote)
$127K - $143K *
Drive innovative mechanical designs for district energy and low-carbon thermal systems. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, manage projects independently, and build strong client relationships...
3 weeks ago
Test Manager, Professional Services
$132K - $198K *
Elevate quality assurance practices by leading test strategy and execution for customer implementations. Collaborate with teams to enhance product quality, mitigate risks, and establish scalable testi...
Reposted 1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of product management by leading complex engagements, defining vision, and ensuring seamless collaboration across teams to deliver exceptional results and drive product success...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $170K *
Transform the future of correctional facility design by managing electrical engineering standards and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines. Lead technical reviews, oversee construction, and pro...
3 weeks ago
Senior Planner (Private Land Development)
$95K - $115K *
Inspire growth by leading land development projects, managing teams, and collaborating with clients to ensure successful outcomes while navigating regulatory standards and enhancing operational effici...
6 days ago
DSCA Senior AI/RAG Engineer (Software Development Analyst) - 30714
$160K - $175K *
Pioneer secure, scalable backend solutions as a Senior Developer, integrating AI capabilities within AWS GovCloud. Collaborate across teams to enhance enterprise applications and ensure robust securit...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $135K *
Lead the charge in developing and managing enterprise proposals and plans, ensuring compliance and quality across submissions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance win strategies and dri...
4 weeks ago
Principal AI Solutions Architect, Customer Success
$135K - $238K *
Elevate customer experiences by designing and developing cutting-edge AI-driven bot applications. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions, manage strategic projects, and leverage advanc...
Today
Principal AI Solutions Architect, Customer Success
$135K - $178K *
Unlock your potential by leading innovative AI-driven bot solutions, enhancing customer experiences through advanced digital applications. Collaborate with teams to design, develop, and deliver cuttin...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Champion innovative design solutions as a Principal Product Designer, leading UX strategy and AI experiences for a complex platform. Drive workflow transformation and mentor talent while shaping the f...
5 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - Front End/Back End (Library of Congress)
$120K - $150K *
Unlock potential by leading software engineering initiatives, mentoring junior engineers, and driving improvements in development processes. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver impactful solution...
Reposted 1 week ago
Project Administration and Correspondence Lead
$74K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee project administration and correspondence management, ensuring effective communication and compliance. Support project policies and enhance documentation workflows to dr...
4 weeks ago
Endpoint & Device Systems Engineer (REMOTE)
$95K - $115K *
Transform healthcare IT by providing expert support for endpoint and device systems. Engage in hands-on engineering, configuration, and troubleshooting to ensure operational readiness for the IHS EHR...
4 days ago
$124K - $241K *
Join a visionary team to architect cloud networking solutions, drive innovation in DPU and NIC technologies, and collaborate with global experts to redefine data center architecture from hardware to a...
Reposted 1 week ago
Aircraft Certification Engineer - Systems
$120K - $145K *
Transform aircraft certification processes by leveraging your expertise in FAA and military standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure compliance and safety for military commercial derivative...
3 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.