Principal Scientist Jobs

Explore Principal Scientist jobs on Ladders, where professionals can find vetted opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Principal Scientists lead complex research, guide scientific strategy, and turn deep technical expertise into discoveries, products, and business impact.

What Does a Principal Scientist Do?

Principal Scientists provide senior-level scientific direction within organizations such as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, technology firms, manufacturers, and research institutions. They design and oversee research programs, interpret complex data, develop new methods, and communicate findings to technical and executive stakeholders. Depending on the organization, they may also mentor scientists, manage collaborations, and help set long-term research priorities.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers typically seek extensive experience in a relevant scientific discipline, a strong record of research or technical achievement, and the ability to lead projects across teams. Commonly valued skills include experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, subject-matter expertise, project leadership, and clear communication. Many positions require a Ph.D. or other advanced degree, though requirements vary by field and employer.

Principal Scientist Salary and Career Outlook

Compensation varies based on specialty, experience, location, and employer. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying at least $100,000, making it a useful place to explore senior-level Principal Scientist roles. Career paths may lead to scientific leadership, research director, vice president of research, or other executive and technical leadership positions.

Find Principal Scientist Jobs on Ladders

Search Principal Scientist openings by specialty, location, and other preferences to identify roles aligned with your experience. Review each listing for its responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation details, then apply directly to opportunities that match your career goals.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$71K - $109K *

Engage with enterprise customers as a Senior Technical Support Specialist, providing expert guidance on complex compliance workflows and integrations. Drive resolution of critical issues while ensurin...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Deliver impactful project leadership by guiding cross-functional teams through all phases of clinical research, ensuring compliance, effective communication, and timely project milestones that enhance...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$143K - $215K *

Drive growth in the Materials Science Electron Microscopy sector by leading a dynamic sales team, managing channel partners, and enhancing customer relationships to achieve exceptional results and mar...

Massachusetts, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing complex technical projects across IT, Security, and Compliance. Engage with customers to translate technical needs into actionable plans while ensuring seamless internal co...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$127K - $159K *

Lead a dynamic Data Engineering team to develop innovative data solutions, supporting essential healthcare operations. Drive operational effectiveness, compliance, and collaboration while enhancing da...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$87K - $108K *

Empower customer success by providing expert technical support for bioprocessing products. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues, enhance product knowledge, and ensure a positive experience fo...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by managing diverse EV projects, ensuring successful delivery through collaboration, strategic planning, and effective stakeholder engagement. Drive project excellence while naviga...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$170K - $200K *

Unlock potential by leading advanced analytics and experimentation initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and deploy machine learning solutions, driving data-driven decision-ma...

San Antonio, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$180K - $215K *

Lead the design and development of AI-driven acquisition systems, creating automated workflows and optimizing audience targeting to enhance customer engagement and retention in a data-rich environment...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advancing AI safety research by defining impactful agendas, mentoring teams, and driving real-world change through innovative projects and collaborations with governments and AI lab...

Berkeley, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$162K - $243K *

Lead a dynamic team in managing complex clinical research trials, ensuring strategic execution and client satisfaction. Drive project success through effective communication, budget oversight, and qua...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$162K - $243K *

Lead a dynamic team in managing complex clinical research trials, ensuring project execution aligns with strategic objectives. Drive process improvements and maintain client relationships while overse...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$189K - $246K *

Pioneer AI-driven product capabilities by translating complex challenges into actionable solutions that enhance user trust and drive measurable outcomes through collaboration across diverse teams...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$191K - $249K *

Shape the future of AI-driven audit solutions by leading product strategy and execution for innovative workflows in indirect tax. Drive impactful change while collaborating with cross-functional teams...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative modeling approaches for power utilization across large-scale infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance decision-making and optimize re...

Menlo Park, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Champion global labeling strategy for innovative therapies, leading complex initiatives from development to post-approval. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and high-quality...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Pioneer innovative AI solutions by leading model architecture and data analysis. Collaborate with engineers and domain experts to transform large datasets into impactful applications, shaping the futu...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $185K *

Shape the future of political polling by leading innovative research projects, translating complex data into actionable insights, and collaborating with teams to enhance campaign strategies and messag...

Chicago, ILRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$140K - $185K *

Drive technical excellence by developing standards and processes for commissioning, ensuring consistent execution across projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workforce capabili...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $350K *

Elevate your career by driving the development of advanced AI models, overseeing pretraining processes, and optimizing training systems to ensure successful outcomes in a collaborative, innovative env...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$78K - $107K *

Contribute to impactful healthcare analytics by designing and executing rigorous outcomes studies. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate complex data into actionable insights that enha...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$196K - $240K *

Join a team that's driving drug substance technology transfer and operational excellence across CDMO sites. Lead manufacturing oversight, ensure compliance, and foster cross-functional partnerships to...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $145K *

Lead campaign strategy and execution for oncology pharma marketing, driving performance optimization and cross-functional collaboration. Own end-to-end campaign management, ensuring alignment with bus...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$143K - $179K *

Lead cross-functional initiatives, optimizing governance and operational readiness for programs. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance portfolio execution, reporting, and PMO capabilities, driving...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$138K - $165K *

Elevate your career by leading complex product initiatives across technical domains. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive strategic direction into actionable plans, ensuring measurable out...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Principal Scientist do?question toggle

    A Principal Scientist leads advanced research or technical programs, sets scientific direction, analyzes results, and shares findings with stakeholders. Responsibilities may also include mentoring colleagues and coordinating cross-functional teams.

  • What qualifications are commonly required for Principal Scientist jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary by specialty, but employers often look for extensive relevant experience, a strong record of scientific or technical work, and advanced expertise. Many roles require a Ph.D. or another advanced degree, along with research leadership and communication skills.

  • How much do Principal Scientists earn?question toggle

    Pay depends on factors such as field, location, experience, and employer. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for compensation information.

  • Where do Principal Scientists work?question toggle

    Principal Scientists work across industries including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and academic or independent research.

  • How can I find Principal Scientist jobs on Ladders?question toggle

    Browse Principal Scientist listings on Ladders and use available search filters to narrow opportunities by location, specialty, or other preferences. Review each listing for its requirements and compensation details.