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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$190K - $240K *

Shape the future of product management by leading the vision and roadmap for innovative solutions in the Human Data Trial lifecycle, collaborating closely with engineering and mentoring junior team me...

New Haven, CTRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Innovate LLM-powered systems and workflows, enhancing claims automation and customer guidance. Lead end-to-end product delivery, ensuring security and quality while collaborating with cross-functional...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Drive AI-native software development by architecting systems, guiding AI agents, and ensuring quality. Collaborate closely with users to transform business needs into reliable, efficient solutions whi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$96K - $144K *

Lead the charge in delivering exceptional customer service and technical support at assigned medical equipment sites, ensuring compliance with contracts and fostering strong client relationships throu...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Advance next-gen forecasting by developing core architecture for in-core data assimilation in Earth system models. Collaborate with scientists and engineers to enhance model capabilities and ensure ro...

College Park, MDRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$144K - $170K *

Join a team that's leading the charge in renewable energy construction. Oversee multiple utility-scale projects, ensuring timely and cost-effective execution while managing contractors and stakeholder...

Charlottesville, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$85K - $105K *

Champion customer success by leveraging data solutions to drive impactful results. Collaborate with clients to optimize their experience, ensuring seamless implementation and maximizing the value of o...

Chicago, ILRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$172K - $188K *

Lead the charge in clinical data programming by designing, building, and maintaining data collection systems. Collaborate with teams to ensure data integrity and support clinical development through a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $173K *

Drive integration strategies to enhance silicon photonic fabrication, collaborating with foundries to evolve processes from development to production while ensuring robust performance and reproducibil...

RemoteRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Elevate your career by providing expert support in molecular diagnostics, driving product implementation, and fostering strong relationships with clinical laboratories to ensure successful adoption an...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$86K - $165K *

Join us to lead the proposal lifecycle, collaborating with cross-functional teams to create compliant, high-quality proposals that drive business success. Your organizational skills will be key in man...

Iowa, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Unlock potential by driving renewals and expansion within top-tier enterprise accounts. This senior role demands strategic navigation of complex organizations, fostering executive relationships, and l...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$83K - $120K *

Join our team as a Cold Storage Specialist to drive sales growth in cold storage solutions. Collaborate with customers and sales teams to identify opportunities, provide expertise, and develop strateg...

California, USRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $90K *

Join a team that's dedicated to strategic program execution and risk mitigation. As a key analyst, you'll prepare and evaluate initiatives, collaborate across functions, and drive project success thro...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing clinical research through statistical expertise. Collaborate with medical professionals to design, analyze, and report on clinical studies, ensuring complianc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$184K - $287K *

Unlock the potential of AI by developing agentic insights infrastructure that transforms data into actionable recommendations for leadership, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery in a collaborative e...

Santa Clara, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Champion the architecture of Enterprise AI, guiding a senior remote team in building robust solutions across AI gateways, Kubernetes, and multi-service systems while mentoring engineers and engaging w...

Austin, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $155K *

Oversee complex project delivery, ensuring alignment with client goals and financial control. Lead cross-functional teams, manage risks, and drive proactive actions for successful outcomes using estab...

Toronto, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$78K - $131K *

Inspire growth by partnering with leaders to design impactful learning experiences that enhance performance across teams. Drive initiatives that empower employees to achieve their goals and improve pr...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$128K - $188K *

Drive your career with impactful technical sales in the medical device sector. Lead customer engagements, identify new business opportunities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance pr...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$172K - $202K *

Shape the future of AI-driven compute architecture by delivering innovative insights and strategies. Collaborate with industry leaders to analyze market trends and provide actionable advice that drive...

Irving, TXRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$128K - $226K *

Unlock potential by leading the delivery of APIs and integrations that enhance healthcare tools. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure reliable, user-friendly solutions that drive business grow...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$138K - $165K *

Drive GitLab's Secret Detection and Vulnerability Research efforts to shape security product outcomes. Own the detection lifecycle, ensure content quality, and leverage AI to enhance operational effic...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead clinical trial operations, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality data while managing complex projects and teams. Collaborate across departments to meet client expectations and maintain complia...

Austin, TXRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing complex global Oncology/Hematology trials, ensuring project delivery aligns with quality, time, and cost expectations while fostering effective communication and collaborat...

North Carolina, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.