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.

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$90K - $110K *

Join a team that's shaping evidence strategies and insights in health economics and outcomes research. Lead client engagements, oversee analytics, and drive impactful decision-making in biopharma and...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $100K *

Join our dynamic team as a Technical Delivery Manager, overseeing AI-driven project delivery across diverse digital platforms. Ensure timely, high-quality outputs while leveraging innovative technolog...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$122K - $153K *

Advance impactful research initiatives by leading complex studies and managing multiple projects. Collaborate with clients and partners to generate actionable insights while mentoring colleagues and e...

Alameda, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$140K - $180K *

Join our innovative team to drive AI advancements in drug discovery, evaluating agent performance across the development pipeline. Collaborate with scientists and engineers to optimize data-driven dec...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Partner with us to drive strategic healthcare marketing initiatives. Lead client relationships, oversee peer-to-peer programs, and mentor team members to ensure compliance and achieve results while fo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in implementing Oracle Financials, collaborating with finance and IT teams to optimize processes, ensure user readiness, and drive successful adoption across the organization. Shape th...

New Hampshire, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Empower engineering teams to innovate and deliver high-quality SaaS products. Lead technical direction, enhance system architecture, and foster collaboration across teams to drive user-centric solutio...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$193K - $308K *

Join a team that's redefining statistical leadership in clinical research. Drive innovative study designs, enhance drug development effectiveness, and influence critical decisions through data-driven...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$238K - $322K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI in security. Lead the technical vision for LLMs and agentic systems, driving innovation and mentoring talent while optimizing performance across multiple pr...

California, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$157K - $205K *

Drive product strategy and execution, ensuring alignment with business goals. Collaborate across teams to oversee the full product lifecycle from ideation to market launch, optimizing for profitabilit...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $180K *

Oversee and optimize US regional clinical trials, ensuring execution and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage vendor relationships while driving process improvements in a fas...

Houston, TXRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $180K *

Unlock your potential by leading AI advancements in structural biology, evaluating agent reasoning, and ensuring scientific accuracy across molecular systems. Collaborate with engineers and scientists...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Champion the future of healthcare by leading cutting-edge ML research in NLP and clinical AI. Collaborate with experts to translate innovative ideas into impactful solutions that enhance patient outco...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$149K - $223K *

Unlock potential by leading enterprise AI solutions, bridging sales and technical teams to deliver impactful transformations. Engage with customers to architect scalable solutions, ensuring operationa...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$255K - $310K *

Lead a high-performing team to execute market access strategies, optimize payer engagement, and enhance product positioning. Drive collaboration across stakeholders to ensure effective reimbursement a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$79K - $157K *

Join a team advancing oncology clinical data analysis and review, collaborating with study teams and clients. Ensure integrity of data and reports, communicate key trends, and guide clinical strategie...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $135K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering complex automation projects, overseeing all phases from planning to closeout. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure projects meet safety, budget...

Reno, NVRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Drive team success by overseeing project delivery operations, coaching staff, and ensuring effective resource management. Collaborate with senior management to enhance clinical operations and support...

North Carolina, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$132K - $165K *

Drive innovation in oncology diagnostics by leading statistical programming efforts, ensuring data integrity and compliance for clinical trials, while managing a team and collaborating cross-functiona...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$185K - $256K *

Elevate the market growth strategy for biologics research, driving software adoption and AI use cases. Collaborate with global teams and engage with industry leaders to shape the future of molecular t...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading a high-impact engineering team focused on observability. Drive technical roadmaps, enhance platform reliability, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating with...

Seattle, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $140K *

Drive innovative media strategies for healthcare clients, leveraging audience insights and performance data. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance planning processes and deliver impactful...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $140K *

Empower global business practices by leading diverse project teams in innovative industries. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project success through effective management and integration of cut...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Drive impactful HR strategies in a dynamic global environment, collaborating with senior leaders to align people initiatives with business goals. Contribute to a newly forming team focused on growth a...

Cambridge, MARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $135K *

Lead the technology strategy for a dynamic software development team, overseeing modernization efforts and AI integration across multiple product lines. Foster innovation, accountability, and continuo...

Georgia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.