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.
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
$125K - $150K *
Pioneer the success of large-scale construction projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards. Lead diverse teams, manage client relationships, and drive strategic planning while overseeing...
1 week ago
Senior Product Manager - Inference Platform
$228K - $285K *
Pioneer advancements in AI inference platforms, driving strategy and execution across cross-functional teams to enhance scalability and reliability for enterprise customers. Lead product initiatives f...
1 week ago
LEAD PROJECT MANAGER - PUB SEC
$88K - $121K *
Manage logistics for a complex federal program, ensuring timely, secure delivery of assets. Lead project activities, coordinate with stakeholders, and maintain compliance while building strategic rela...
2 weeks ago
Customer Quality Engineer - Integration
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in ensuring quality and compliance for mechanical and electrical systems. Collaborate across teams to uphold standards, conduct inspections, and drive continuous improvement in mission...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in managing enterprise restaurant technology deployment projects, ensuring successful delivery through effective cross-functional collaboration and communication with stakeholders, whi...
4 days ago
$150K - $185K *
Lead the development of innovative AI products that empower job seekers with evidence-based coaching and actionable insights, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to shape impactful...
3 weeks ago
$84K - $105K *
Drive project success by managing client relationships and leading implementation strategies. Collaborate with teams to assess needs, develop plans, and ensure timely delivery while navigating challen...
1 week ago
$84K - $105K *
Deliver exceptional client engagement by managing project success, assessing needs, and developing strategic plans. Lead cross-functional teams to ensure timely and budget-compliant implementations wh...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineering Manager (R37)
$101K - $206K *
Join a team that's redefining AI product development by leading high-performing engineering teams. Drive innovation and collaboration across functions to deliver scalable AI solutions, while fostering...
3 weeks ago
Director of Engineering, Data Labs
$252K - $300K *
Unlock potential by leading the technical strategy for Data Labs, guiding engineering teams to innovate AI training solutions, and shaping the future of model evaluation and deployment in a rapidly ev...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $180K *
Innovate with us as you lead technical delivery for enterprise data integration and migration projects, focusing on Higher Education and Salesforce ecosystems. Drive solution architecture, manage team...
3 weeks ago
Systems Engineering Lead/Manager - KSA C4I
$161K - $299K *
Transform the future of C4I systems as a Systems Engineering Manager, leading design initiatives and managing a team to ensure alignment with customer requirements. Drive modernization efforts through...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Project Control Engineer (remote)
$74K - $130K *
Drive financial excellence by managing program life cycles, collaborating across departments, and ensuring accurate projections and reporting to meet business objectives and mitigate risks...
6 days ago
$75K - $110K *
Unlock potential by leading enterprise network transformations with SASE and SD-WAN solutions. Mentor engineers, manage complex projects, and deliver exceptional managed services while ensuring client...
Yesterday
$105K - $128K *
Empower your career by supporting a vital contact center platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize integrations and enhance customer experiences across voice, SMS, and email channe...
3 weeks ago
Senior Staff Product Success Architect
$171K - $300K *
Lead the charge in scaling AI adoption through strategic engineering, tackling complex deployments, and mentoring talent. Shape the future of the GAIL program by enhancing tooling, standards, and cust...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in managing projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver results on time while effectively co...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate preconstruction processes by leading project planning, coordination, and execution. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment on scope, budget, and timelines while managing cost estima...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Staff Platform Engineer
$215K - $307K *
Lead the charge in designing and evolving global cloud infrastructure, leveraging deep Azure expertise to build secure, scalable systems that enhance enterprise SaaS platforms and improve developer ex...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, ML Enablement
$164K - $246K *
Elevate your career by architecting scalable ML infrastructure that powers model training and serving. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workflows and drive innovation in machine lear...
3 weeks ago
$126K - $171K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative project management solutions for large law firms. Drive implementations, manage resources, and ensure client satisfaction while navigating complex challenges a...
3 weeks ago
Senior Staff Engineer, Weapons Physical Integration (R6364)
$170K - $260K *
Transform aircraft capabilities by integrating weapons and payloads. Collaborate with design teams to create innovative solutions, ensuring compliance with military standards while supporting testing...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer II - Cloud-Native Agent Harness (Mecatl)
$157K - $192K *
Develop and enhance a cloud-native agent harness, ensuring secure, reliable, and efficient operations. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver features, fix bugs, and innovate using AI throughout t...
Today
Senior Team Lead -3D Modeling & Virtual Simulation
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of 3D modeling and virtual simulation. Lead daily operations, provide technical direction, and ensure project success while collaborating with Government stakehol...
2 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.