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.
$125K - $225K *
Elevate project success by leading multidisciplinary teams in nuclear design and program management, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance across all phases of construction and operations for compl...
2 weeks ago
Associate Director, Project Controls
$140K - $195K *
Elevate your career by leading diverse teams in project controls, fostering client relationships, and driving strategic initiatives in the pharma/life sciences sector. Leverage your expertise to achie...
2 days ago
$130K - $150K *
Innovate by designing and automating workflows that enhance revenue operations, streamline GTM processes, and eliminate manual tasks. Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to optimize lead management a...
6 days ago
$120K - $140K *
Drive efficiency by automating GTM processes, enhancing lead management, and integrating systems. Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to eliminate manual tasks and improve data accuracy, ensuring a s...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - Data Focused
$130K - $140K *
Contribute to the development of a modern platform by building features, connecting systems, and improving data usability. Engage with stakeholders and troubleshoot to deliver reliable software as par...
Reposted today
Senior Technical Program Manager
$130K - $150K *
Lead the charge in driving program delivery and portfolio management for a dynamic Security team, ensuring effective execution of enterprise initiatives while fostering cross-functional collaboration...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $145K *
Strategize initiatives to enhance workforce alignment and Agile practices, driving high performance in IT services for federal clients while fostering a collaborative culture and supporting strategic...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead the development and operation of a cutting-edge Security Observability & Data Platform, enhancing endpoint security, threat detection, and incident response while driving innovation in security s...
Reposted today
Product Engineer II - Web Services
$79K - $133K *
Elevate progress at the forefront of ArcGIS Hub by transforming customer workflows, communicating priorities, and enhancing geospatial collaboration through innovative product management...
Reposted today
$190K - $267K *
Shape the future of app advertising by enhancing backend systems for conversion signals. Drive MMP integrations, SKAN processing, and App CAPI to ensure reliable app installs and in-app events for adv...
1 week ago
$113K - $170K *
Lead the charge in transforming customer integrations by driving technical discovery, scoping complex implementations, and ensuring successful onboarding for high-stakes accounts. Collaborate closely...
2 weeks ago
Data Center Electrical Engineer - Design
$320K - $405K *
Design and oversee the electrical architecture for cutting-edge data centers, ensuring robust power distribution and integration of advanced technologies. Collaborate with partners to enhance prefabri...
4 days ago
Oracle EPM Senior Project Manager
$120K - $145K *
Lead Oracle Cloud EPM projects, ensuring timely delivery and high quality. Collaborate with stakeholders and manage resources to achieve project objectives, fostering team success and effective commun...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Transform complex data systems by designing and implementing scalable solutions that enhance analytics and drive business intelligence in a collaborative, Agile environment focused on healthcare compl...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in overseeing rebar project execution from setup to completion, ensuring effective contract management, coordination, and communication with customers and project teams to deliver succ...
1 week ago
Member of Technical Staff, Platform Engineer (New Stealth Startup)
$200K - $350K *
Transform complex AI research into scalable, reliable systems. Collaborate across teams to architect and enhance backend services, ensuring robust infrastructure for model training and data collection...
1 week ago
Senior Principal Should Cost Engineer (Remote)
$132K - $251K *
Optimize cost modeling and benchmarking for complex assemblies, driving transparency in supplier negotiations across various defense products. Lead should cost assessments and develop models to enhanc...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Field Service - North Dakota
$96K - $124K *
Join a team that's committed to resolving complex technical issues for customers. You'll drive personalized support, streamline problem resolution, and improve service processes, all in a fast-paced...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$121K - $208K *
Transform operational efficiencies by designing and deploying high-performance integration solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance user experiences and ensure data integrity across multi-t...
1 week ago
Principal Information Security Engineer
$60K - $211K *
Advance security engineering by defining strategies, solving complex challenges, and building scalable solutions. Collaborate with leaders to enhance security across enterprise environments while ment...
4 weeks ago
$103K - $153K *
Deliver a robust frontend architecture for a mature web UI, enhancing performance and usability. Collaborate with UX designers and set coding standards while ensuring security and analytics integratio...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Developer & Design UX (Front End) (REMOTE)
$110K - $130K *
Champion user-centric design and development by leading UI/UX strategies and building intuitive applications within a low-code environment. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance digital experiences...
Yesterday
Senior Project Manager, Client Services
$110K - $130K *
Drive client satisfaction as a Senior Project Manager, overseeing eDiscovery projects, managing budgets, and consulting on best practices. Lead teams, enhance workflows, and ensure timely delivery whi...
1 week ago
Principal Ai Engineer (Remote in CT)
$150K - $180K *
Innovate enterprise-grade AI systems by defining and executing technical strategies for machine learning operations and intelligent platforms, ensuring scalable and secure AI services across cloud arc...
Reposted 2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate healthcare delivery by developing AI solutions that enhance operations and resident experiences. Collaborate with teams to automate processes and improve clinical decision-making in senior ca...
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.