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 Full-Stack Software Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Champion the development of impactful software solutions, collaborating across teams to enhance educational tools. Take ownership of code quality and performance, while mentoring peers and leveraging...
2 weeks ago
Portfolio Manager, Technology Product Management
$161K - $242K *
Lead the charge in driving the cardiology portfolio's growth and modernization. Own strategy, adoption, cloud migration, and pricing while collaborating across teams to enhance patient outcomes and op...
4 weeks ago
Senior Workforce Solutions Engineer
$104K - $153K *
Unlock your potential by leading the technical delivery of workforce applications. Collaborate with teams to enhance productivity through automation, AI, and integrations, ensuring secure and efficien...
2 weeks ago
Program Field Integration Engineer
$141K - $224K *
Lead the design and modernization of mission-critical SATCOM systems, ensuring seamless integration and lifecycle support. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and ope...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's redefining construction technology by architecting scalable, reliable systems that integrate cutting-edge AI and computer vision. Collaborate across disciplines to drive innovation...
2 weeks ago
Senior Consultant - Senior Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Drive complex project implementations by leading cross-functional teams, managing deliverables, and ensuring compliance. Leverage Salesforce expertise to optimize processes and foster client relations...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing application performance through expert Dynatrace monitoring. Collaborate with IT professionals to analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize application performance...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager, Device Experience
$130K - $219K *
Drive the vision for Samsara device installations, enhancing user experiences and ensuring rapid, accurate setups. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize the install process, making impac...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$134K - $223K *
Join a team that's dedicated to maximizing enterprise value through strategic consulting and technical expertise. Leverage your Sprinklr knowledge to drive customer success and innovation while foster...
1 week ago
Product Owner/Application Lead
$75K - $150K *
Join us as a Product Owner/Application Lead, driving Salesforce solutions for government clients. Collaborate with architects and developers to deliver high-quality applications, ensuring client satis...
3 days ago
Senior Software Architect, Security Platform
$150K - $180K *
Transform the architecture of diverse security platforms, guiding teams through complex design challenges while ensuring scalable, secure, and maintainable systems across multiple product areas in a h...
6 days ago
R0172329 - Project Engineer, EVA Remote Observation Camera (A)
$83K *
Join us to support the EVA Remote Observation Camera project by providing design, testing, and verification expertise. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot hardware and ensure project success in a d...
3 weeks ago
$98K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering precise mechanical cost estimates, evaluating project risks, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to ensure successful project execution while mentori...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project and Portfolio Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in establishing a robust project management portfolio, optimizing planning and execution processes at the Space Weather Prediction Center. Drive continuous improvement and support lead...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer - Cloud Services
$145K - $175K *
Pioneer innovative cloud architectures and drive scalable solutions for a cloud-native platform. Collaborate with engineering leaders to enhance reliability, security, and performance while mentoring...
Today
Software Engineer (L2) - Platform Integrations
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing integration features across modern and legacy systems. You'll design APIs, deliver high-quality integrations, and collaborate with experienced engineers to dr...
3 weeks ago
$184K - $314K *
Elevate executive recruiting by leading VP-level searches, advising C-suite leaders, and shaping talent strategies. Drive high-impact hiring decisions while managing multiple confidential searches in...
Today
Solutions Engineer, Federal (U.S. Navy)
$245K - $260K *
Lead technical strategies for U.S. Navy accounts, enhancing digital performance and visibility. Collaborate with sales teams to deliver tailored solutions, addressing complex challenges in observabili...
2 days ago
Senior Sales Engineer, Data Products
$125K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining data solutions by leading technical sales efforts, collaborating with Account Managers, and driving customer success through innovative data architecture and tailored dem...
1 week ago
$85K - $150K *
Drive transformation by guiding government clients through human-centered design, focusing on stakeholder engagement and change management to foster adaptability and mitigate resistance in evolving wo...
6 days ago
$85K - $150K *
Help us guide government clients through transformative change by leveraging human-centered design and change management strategies. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance user experiences and drive...
6 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's redefining Risk and Security strategies by providing senior technical expertise, co-creating innovative solutions, and driving partner engagement to enhance commercial success and m...
6 days ago
Staff AI Engineer, Agentic Automation
$150K - $180K *
Help us drive the future of automation by owning AI agents that onboard applications and ensure self-healing workflows. You'll enhance existing systems, prioritize security, and collaborate across tea...
6 days ago
$120K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to design and optimize scalable data solutions that enhance healthcare technology platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity and drive informed dec...
Reposted 1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead the design and delivery of scalable banking features, ensuring reliability and security in real-time money movement. Mentor engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams to create high-qu...
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.