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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$148K - $263K *

Drive the design and implementation of AI-First operational environments, architecting resilient multi-cloud networks and building autonomous orchestration layers to enhance security and efficiency ac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion innovative solutions in translational biology, driving product strategy and commercialization. Collaborate across teams to enhance offerings that accelerate research and deliver insights in l...

St. Charles, MORemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$195K - $277K *

Drive innovative clinical oncology studies by designing protocols, collaborating with teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Leverage expertise to analyze data, support publications, and mai...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $200K *

Champion commercial manufacturing excellence by leading technical operations, ensuring on-time delivery of drug products and APIs, and collaborating with regulatory teams to meet compliance and perfor...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$146K - $234K *

Transform complex challenges into innovative solutions by leveraging expertise in RF communications, machine learning, and data analytics to enhance cybersecurity and network research for government a...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$280K - $300K *

Pioneer innovative AI solutions in workforce management, leading product development from concept to deployment. Collaborate with engineers and executives to create impactful agentic products that enh...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $190K *

Shape the future of global sales strategy by leading commercial efforts, driving revenue growth, and enhancing customer engagement across diverse market segments in a dynamic, collaborative environmen...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$122K - $196K *

Transform your career by leading global capital projects and strategic initiatives. Oversee complex portfolios, drive execution, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve business objecti...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$180K - $210K *

Drive regulatory strategy and leadership in a dynamic biotech environment, ensuring compliance and advancing innovative RNA-based therapeutics through effective global regulatory submissions and stake...

North Carolina, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$102K - $153K *

Champion customer success by leveraging your technical expertise to drive revenue growth and foster strong relationships. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that a...

Virginia, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$238K - $280K *

Shape the future of AI/LLM security by leading innovative offensive strategies, defining technical vision, and driving cross-company initiatives to enhance NodeZero's capabilities in identifying and e...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $180K *

Join a team that's pivotal in driving clinical development programs, focusing on protocol-specific activities and cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful execution and monitoring of clinic...

Brisbane, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$195K - $312K *

Zillow is seeking a Principal Applied Scientist to join the Agentic AI team, focusing on developing advanced multimodal technologies for understanding homes. The role involves designing and prototypin...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Lead network engineering efforts to enhance tactical capabilities in air defense systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure secure information exchange and compliance across all phase...

Huntsville, ALRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Transform regulatory strategies for rare disease and cardio-pulmonary drug-device programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and drive successful submissions globally, supp...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Lead the Vendor Management Office, overseeing vendor governance, lifecycle management, and performance metrics. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure vendor services align with quality, compliance...

CanadaRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$122K - $196K *

Manage global PMO governance for a $150M Capex portfolio, ensuring strategic alignment and effective project delivery across regions. Drive consistency, accountability, and value realization while sup...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $189K *

Shape the future of oncology marketing by developing and executing strategic plans for innovative RAS(ON) programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive impactful initiatives and ensure su...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $275K *

Manage the delivery of GPU clusters for AI workloads by coordinating teams across engineering, networking, and operations. Develop strategies, manage risks, and ensure timely, quality launches to scal...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $135K *

Drive technical excellence and team growth by leading software development initiatives, managing resources, and ensuring project alignment with business goals while maintaining security and operationa...

Emeryville, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the creation of impactful scientific content, enhancing medical education and patient outcomes. Collaborate cross-functionally, mentor writers, and drive excellence in heal...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$175K - $222K *

Engage in architecting high-volume autonomous agent pipelines, ensuring safety, performance, and compliance. Own the generator-verifier architecture and CI/CD processes while setting engineering stand...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Champion innovative healthcare research by leading complex evaluations and business development initiatives, fostering collaboration among diverse experts to enhance Medicare and Medicaid services and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Lead and mentor a global team overseeing clinical trial supply operations. Drive compliance and operational excellence across clinical logistics activities, ensuring timely delivery of materials that...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Drive product growth through data analysis and experimentation, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user adoption and engagement. Utilize statistical methods to illuminate user journe...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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.