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.
$139K - $208K *
Unlock potential by driving technical sales support and solutions for customers. Collaborate with sales teams to achieve targets while providing expert guidance on F5 products and services, ensuring c...
2 weeks ago
$115K - $173K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic sales team as a Solutions Engineer, where you'll leverage technical expertise to drive sales, support customers, and deliver innovative F5 solutions that bridg...
2 weeks ago
$127K - $191K *
Unlock potential by driving technical sales solutions for major service providers. Collaborate with sales teams to articulate value propositions, mentor peers, and deliver exceptional customer service...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive the commissioning process for multiple data center projects, ensuring all systems are tested and operational. Collaborate with stakeholders to meet client specifications and maintain compliance...
1 week ago
Senior Analytics Engineer, Full-stack
$100K - $250K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI software development by owning our full data stack, from ETL to business intelligence, and driving impactful data modeling and visualization efforts across...
1 month ago
$90K - $110K *
Drive excellence in estimating for telecommunications projects by leading the development of accurate, standardized cost libraries and estimates. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alig...
3 weeks ago
Senior Technical Lead / Solution Architect
$130K - $216K *
Lead the technical implementation of a large-scale platform modernization program, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and providing hands-on guidance across multiple teams and vendors for s...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Scanning Engine
$134K - $199K *
Elevate your career as you design and operate large-scale cloud services for a cutting-edge scanning engine. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and mentor engineers in a dy...
3 weeks ago
$104K - $156K *
Unlock your potential as a Solutions Engineer, driving sales success by leveraging technical expertise to address customer challenges and deliver F5 solutions. Collaborate with sales teams to achieve...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Identity Platform
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's redefining identity management across diverse platforms. You'll architect secure authentication and authorization systems, ensuring seamless access for users and organizations while...
2 weeks ago
Lead Proposal Developer - Water & Environment
$93K - $126K *
Help us lead complex proposals and interviews, enhancing our proposal practices while mentoring colleagues and driving strategic improvements across the organization. Your expertise will shape our app...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager - Implementation
$90K - $110K *
Join a team that's redefining financial advisory through innovative AI solutions. As a Project Manager, you'll lead complex implementations, enhance client engagement, and collaborate on cutting-edge...
4 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Contribute to roadmap development by collaborating cross-functionally to define and drive innovative product features that enhance customer experiences and grow partner relationships, ensuring timely...
Reposted today
$137K - $220K *
Drive impactful product strategies and lifecycle management for Broadband FTTx and DCOM Products, connecting market insights to business execution while collaborating across teams to enhance customer...
4 days ago
Project Manager, OSP Construction & Engineering
$77K - $126K *
Take ownership of managing construction projects, ensuring timely, on-budget delivery while collaborating with vendors and adhering to guidelines. Drive process improvements and maintain comprehensive...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in coordinating a dynamic technical team, ensuring seamless delivery across multiple workstreams while aligning development efforts with strategic program goals. Drive efficiency and f...
1 week ago
$110K - $120K *
Unlock your potential as a Solutions Engineer, guiding sales teams with expert network security advice, conducting training sessions, and supporting customer needs while driving professional services...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Director, Engineering - New Energy Systems
$177K - $283K *
Lead the charge in developing next-gen energy systems, focusing on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Drive technical strategy and system architecture from concept to deployment, shaping a sustainab...
4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Tax Engineering
$191K *
Deliver innovative backend solutions for tax reporting and compliance, ensuring accuracy and scalability across all Coinbase products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive system design an...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance a leading practice management platform. Collaborate with engineers and designers to build innovative solutions, leveraging modern technologies in a fast-paced, agile env...
4 days ago
$130K - $160K *
Elevate cloud security and reliability by leading DevOps practices across teams. You'll optimize AWS and GCP environments, enhance CI/CD pipelines, and ensure cost-effective engineering tools, driving...
1 week ago
Staff Engineer, Security Operations
$225K - $281K *
Lead detection and response strategy, building systems and automations to enhance security. Collaborate with teams to set standards, mentor engineers, and manage complex incidents, ensuring effective...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Champion innovation in our remote Engineering team by building and shipping web-based software products. Collaborate with experienced engineers to solve user challenges and enhance our offerings in th...
Yesterday
Senior Software Engineer - Full Stack
$110K - $270K *
Innovate software solutions that enhance the delivery of critical treatments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design scalable applications, mentor junior engineers, and drive product direct...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager-MEP Building Automation Controls
$110K - $130K *
Partner with us to lead multiple real estate projects in financial services, managing planning, execution, and closeout with a focus on MEP systems and automation. Your strategic insight will drive su...
Reposted 1 week 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.