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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$223K - $293K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of R&D transformation, leading strategic initiatives and cross-functional teams to drive measurable outcomes and enhance organizational effectiveness in a dynamic...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$268K - $402K *

Drive strategic initiatives in global medical affairs for gastrointestinal cancers, ensuring regional insights shape clinical development and evidence generation. Collaborate across teams to address h...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$68K - $113K *

Unlock new discoveries by performing molecular biology experiments, DNA sequencing, and data analysis in a collaborative lab environment. Contribute to innovative research that enhances our understand...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$100K - $130K *

Support the financial planning and analysis for Executive Leadership, encompassing budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive profitability through data-driven insi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$145K - $175K *

Join a team that's redefining legal operations in a fast-paced healthtech environment. As a key player, you'll manage complex contracts, drive compliance, and leverage technology to enhance efficiency...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Elevate your career as a Principal Technologist, leading AI compute infrastructure solutions in pre-sales. Collaborate with top-tier clients, drive innovative designs, and influence strategic engageme...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead a dynamic engineering team in developing high-quality remote software solutions. Collaborate with product managers and designers to ensure scalable applications while embracing best practices and...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$175K - $225K *

Join a team that's driving strategic HR initiatives to enhance talent, culture, and performance across a global organization. Collaborate with leadership to align people strategies with business goals...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $215K *

Drive organic growth by enhancing share of wallet within strategic accounts. Build executive relationships, execute account plans, and leverage cross-portfolio solutions to maximize revenue and custom...

Pittsburgh, PARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Help us drive engineering coordination across multiple capital projects, ensuring timely execution and alignment with project priorities. This role requires strong organizational skills and the abilit...

Mackenzie, BCRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Bring your expertise to drive continuous improvement in manufacturing operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage projects, enhance processes, and lead digital transformations in a f...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$132K - $167K *

Lead the charge in strategic talent acquisition for Commercial roles, managing complex searches and guiding senior leaders through the hiring process while leveraging data and innovative tools to enha...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $155K *

Develop and lead comprehensive benefits and compensation programs, ensuring alignment with business goals and enhancing employee experience through strategic management and continuous improvement init...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $210K *

Drive complex enterprise SaaS projects with a focus on alignment, execution, and risk management while engaging with stakeholders across all levels to ensure successful implementations and foster cont...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $190K *

Shape the enterprise architecture landscape by aligning technology across core platforms, establishing standards, and driving strategic initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$118K - $157K *

Lead the charge in enhancing EHS programs across operations, driving a culture of safety and compliance. Collaborate with site leaders to ensure regulatory adherence and continuous improvement, while...

Colorado, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$95K - $115K *

Champion clinical trial success by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring timely project execution, and maintaining high standards of quality and compliance. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive i...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$132K - $165K *

Drive the development and enhancement of innovative products and platforms, leading a dynamic engineering team to deliver secure, scalable solutions while fostering collaboration and technical excelle...

Staples, MNRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Manager in Deployed Engineering, leading hands-on deployments and building a high-performing team. Collaborate closely with customers and internal teams to dri...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Transform underwater acoustics assessments by leading modeling and monitoring initiatives. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful solutions for marine projects, ensuring environ...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$98K - $188K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of reactor physics and technology. Contribute to computational methods development, numerical analysis, and thermal-hydraulic modeling while supporting software d...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in shaping product strategy and execution for a key applications portfolio, driving innovation and growth through AI integration while mentoring a high-performing team in a dynamic hea...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Help us advance food safety by providing expert technical support for CIP applications in liquid processing environments. Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to optimize customer solutions and...

Maryland, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$114K - $165K *

Join our dynamic team to lead the development of high-performance backend solutions. Leverage your expertise in Java, microservices, and real-time data streaming to drive innovation and mentor a talen...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$223K - $235K *

Unlock potential by leading Ads Quality strategy for Sponsored Products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance ranking, relevance, and customer intent, driving significant revenue impact...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer 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.