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.
$140K - $170K *
Transform integration capabilities by developing APIs and systems while fostering collaboration among stakeholders, engineers, and non-technical teams to support mission success through innovative tec...
Reposted 2 days ago
$155K - $210K *
Lead complex programs and strategic client engagements, driving technology transformation and sustainable business value. Act as a trusted adviser to C-level stakeholders, shaping program vision and e...
3 weeks ago
$190K - $267K *
Unlock potential by developing robust software solutions that enhance compliance and security programs. Collaborate across teams to automate processes, streamline workflows, and ensure timely risk man...
Today
Senior Principal Software Engineer
$243K - $318K *
Elevate your career by providing technical leadership across Dev AI platforms. Shape architectural strategies, drive cross-organizational initiatives, and enhance engineering quality while collaborati...
2 weeks ago
$126K - $176K *
Lead the charge in managing complex data center projects, ensuring safety, quality, and timely delivery. Collaborate with diverse teams to foster relationships and drive strategic improvements while e...
6 days ago
$125K - $175K *
Lead and optimize project management efforts, ensuring safety and efficiency while fostering strong relationships with clients and teams. Drive strategic improvements and mentor diverse teams to achie...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $175K *
Elevate project outcomes by leading diverse teams, ensuring safety, and driving effective communication. Leverage your expertise in construction management to enhance processes and foster strong clien...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, Data Engineering & Analytics
$87K - $140K *
Empower your career by tackling complex technical challenges as a Senior Engineer. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design scalable solutions, mentor peers, and drive innovation in a dynamic...
5 days ago
Director, Features System Engineering
$220K - $290K *
Accelerate the development of autonomous systems by leading systems engineering strategies, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring rigorous safety and performance standards throughout the produ...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $144K *
Lead the charge in designing and implementing advanced building automation systems for critical infrastructure projects, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance while managing teams and...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Data Platform
$246K - $339K *
Champion the evolution of our Data Platform by architecting scalable solutions for large-scale data migrations, empowering teams with self-service storage capabilities, and ensuring reliability across...
4 days ago
Sr. Process Engineer - Semi Conductor
$88K - $154K *
Advance your career by leading process engineering for semiconductor projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards while mentoring...
Today
Senior Engineer - Water Structures
$160K - $200K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative water infrastructure solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance community services through resilient engineering practices, ensuring complia...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Water Structures
$160K - $200K *
Shape the future of water infrastructure by leading innovative design and analysis for critical facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver resilient solutions that enhance communi...
1 week ago
Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - AI & Developer Platform
$115K - $185K *
Lead the charge in transforming developer workflows and API architecture for enterprise AI applications. Collaborate with engineering teams to eliminate friction and enhance the developer experience a...
1 week ago
$144K - $195K *
Innovate and lead the design of identity management solutions, ensuring security and integration across platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance user experience and manage critical issues in a dyn...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Champion the growth of a self-directed engineering team, shaping processes, technical direction, and compliance in a fast-paced, regulated environment. Balance hands-on coding with leadership to drive...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading complex engineering initiatives across Microsoft 365 collaboration services, ensuring secure, reliable solutions while mentoring engineers and enhancing platform health thr...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer II - Agentic SDLC
$170K - $185K *
Champion innovative software solutions by leading complex projects, mentoring engineers, and driving technical excellence across teams. Collaborate on strategic initiatives to enhance reliability and...
1 week ago
Principal Software Engineer - Loom
$209K - $273K *
Drive innovation by owning customer-facing products end to end, leading technical strategy, and shaping product direction. Collaborate across teams to build AI-native experiences that enhance user eng...
1 week ago
$131K - $205K *
Shape the future of electric power projects by providing expert development support, technical evaluations, and engineering design reviews. Collaborate with clients to optimize project outcomes while...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer Team Lead, Behavior Safety & Metrics
$240K - $330K *
Transform autonomous driving evaluation by leading initiatives that bridge model performance and real-world outcomes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop metrics and tools that enhance...
Today
Engineering Manager, Developer Infrastructure
$130K - $160K *
Transform your career by leading a high-impact Developer Infrastructure team. Drive technical strategy, enhance developer experience, and foster a culture of growth and accountability while collaborat...
3 weeks ago
Senior Director, Software Engineering
$145K - $190K *
Lead the charge in designing and optimizing scalable data pipelines using Azure, PySpark, and Airflow. Collaborate with teams to ensure data quality and performance while mentoring engineers and drivi...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer (Technical Leadership) - Central Growth
$175K - $210K *
Innovate and lead the technical vision for large-scale product systems, driving cross-functional initiatives and engineering excellence while mentoring teams to enhance growth and impact across multip...
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.