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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$100K - $130K *

Partner with us to design and implement secure, scalable network solutions. Leverage your expertise in networking technologies to enhance performance and reliability while collaborating with cross-fun...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$101K - $150K *

Champion client success by leading complex enterprise implementations, managing risks, and ensuring high-quality outcomes. Drive stakeholder engagement and project delivery while fostering strong rela...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $230K *

Transform the future of platform strategy by leading Dynata+ to drive growth, enhance customer success, and establish a robust ecosystem. Oversee product development, P&L management, and enterprise-wi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$100K - $140K *

Shape the future of lead management and partner relationships by owning the Salesforce Lead-to-Opportunity and PRM domains. Drive strategy, execution, and collaboration across teams to enhance convers...

California, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $160K *

Drive the future of structural engineering by leading complex capital projects, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring technical excellence across diverse markets, particularly in healthcare. Collaborat...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$140K - $252K *

Unlock potential by leading test strategies for hypervisor performance and VM quality. Collaborate with teams to design automated benchmarks and validate deployment safety, ensuring high standards acr...

Ottawa, ONRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Manage overnight SAP BW data loads, ensuring seamless execution and prompt error resolution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize performance and maintain data integrity during critical...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $184K *

Unlock potential by leading data science initiatives that drive optimization and innovation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop advanced models and frameworks, delivering actionable in...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$180K - $210K *

Lead the charge in transforming people analytics by applying causal inference and advanced statistical methods to drive strategic decisions on recruitment, retention, and compensation across the organ...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing complex clinical trials, ensuring timely delivery of clean data while maintaining quality and profitability. Collaborate with teams to meet project goals and uphold regulat...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $195K *

Elevate client relationships by managing key accounts, driving satisfaction and growth. Collaborate with internal teams to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring long-term success and measurable ROI for...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$118K - $178K *

Join a team that's driving growth through consultative sales in clinical research. Collaborate with pharmaceutical and biotech leaders to enhance global health by advancing life-changing therapies thr...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$117K - $176K *

Help us redefine clinical development narratives by leading cross-functional teams to create compelling, strategic stories that enhance customer engagement and drive successful bid defenses, ultimatel...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Drive strategic growth in the Aftermarket Parts product family, leading development, market differentiation, and sustainable strategies within the Flow Control Division while collaborating with global...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$145K - $168K *

Drive impactful medical congress operations by leading planning, execution, and cross-functional collaboration. Own vendor relationships and budgets while ensuring compliance and delivering high-quali...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$102K - $120K *

Lead high-impact proposal efforts globally, managing complex RFIs and RFPs. Drive collaboration, ensure quality, and optimize strategies for proposal submissions in a fast-paced, deadline-focused envi...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$105K - $112K *

Advance your career by managing clinical monitoring and site management processes. Ensure compliance with protocols and regulations while fostering relationships with investigational sites. Contribute...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$104K - $174K *

Champion ecosystem growth by collaborating across teams to enhance partner operations, drive strategic initiatives, and optimize performance metrics, ensuring value delivery to customers and stakehold...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$210K - $235K *

Lead the charge in managing outsourced manufacturing operations, ensuring high-quality supply of clinical materials. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence and complia...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$225K - $300K *

Champion nonclinical safety as a strategic leader, guiding toxicology initiatives across pharmaceuticals and consumer products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive regulatory compliance a...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Advance enterprise threat detection capabilities by developing high-fidelity detections across security platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance defensive posture and mentor junio...

Tennessee, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $145K *

Drive product strategy and modernization for merchant onboarding solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance risk management capabilities and ensure market-leading standards in a d...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$105K - $158K *

Manage the successful delivery of healthcare IT projects, coordinating stakeholders and ensuring compliance with standards while driving customer engagement and adoption across acute care environments...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Manage clinical operations for low to moderate complexity studies, ensuring timely delivery of clean data while adhering to quality and budget expectations. Collaborate with teams to meet project goal...

North Carolina, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Unlock potential by developing innovative deep learning models to enhance financial decision-making. Collaborate with a skilled team to translate complex data science concepts into impactful solutions...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.