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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$274K - $371K *

Lead the early phase clinical development of innovative therapeutics, collaborating across teams to design and execute trials. Your expertise will directly influence strategy, protocol development, an...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $237K *

Lead the charge in managing and optimizing global financial systems, ensuring seamless integration and governance across applications. Drive strategic initiatives and collaborate with cross-functional...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$154K - $242K *

Elevate your career by leading site monitoring activities across clinical studies, ensuring compliance, quality, and timely delivery while developing high-performing teams and driving innovative monit...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $165K *

Drive innovative fraud risk management solutions by leveraging advanced machine learning and data analytics. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance model development and mentor junior data scientist...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$165K - $289K *

Transform customer engagement by leading integration strategies and solutions, leveraging AI technologies to enhance business outcomes and drive satisfaction on the ServiceNow platform through expert...

Vienna, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $175K *

Transform investment research by evaluating and integrating diverse datasets, enhancing AI-driven workflows, and driving strategic content initiatives to elevate platform value and user experience...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$130K - $163K *

Shape the future of AI in our organization as a strategic leader driving enterprise-wide adoption and integration of AI technologies, enhancing productivity and delivering measurable results through i...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $132K *

Take ownership of multiple projects across various phases in financial services, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and stakeholder satisfaction while leading cross-functional teams and drivi...

Dallas, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Elevate product execution by translating client needs into actionable requirements, collaborating with engineering and data science teams to deliver standardized measurement solutions across various c...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$132K - $237K *

Join a dynamic team to architect and implement global security compliance frameworks, driving enterprise-wide initiatives and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards across complex cloud environmen...

Cambridge, MARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$285K - $320K *

Transform your career by leading commercial forecasting and strategic market analytics. Collaborate with executives to drive insights, shape narratives, and influence decisions that impact the company...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$197K - $240K *

Join us to define and own the product strategy for Wallets, shaping the future of stablecoin and payment solutions. Collaborate across teams to drive customer adoption and business impact through inno...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Lead Oracle Cloud EPM projects, ensuring timely delivery and high quality. Collaborate with stakeholders and manage resources to achieve project objectives, fostering team success and effective commun...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$147K - $220K *

Champion transformative health solutions by managing key client relationships, driving sales, and collaborating across teams to enhance Verily's impact in Life Sciences. Leverage expertise to unlock n...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$108K - $130K *

Lead product security and compliance initiatives, ensuring clients meet regulatory standards across diverse sectors. Drive client engagement, deliver assessments, and enhance cybersecurity resilience...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$179K - $293K *

Drive regulatory strategies for In Vitro Diagnostics and Digital Health, overseeing development, submissions, and commercialization. Collaborate with stakeholders and lead health authority meetings to...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Transform compensation and rewards at scale, ensuring fairness and clarity across global teams. Collaborate with leadership to design and implement effective pay structures, cycles, and equity guideli...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $140K *

Provide technical leadership in electrical and controls engineering for industrial projects, ensuring high-quality design and integration of systems while collaborating with clients and teams to drive...

Atlanta, GARemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$155K - $180K *

Drive successful delivery of complex, multi-year programs in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage scope, budget, and timelines while ensuring client satisfaction an...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of autonomous driving by designing and implementing advanced behavior planning systems. Collaborate with experts to tackle complex challenges in dynamic environme...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$100K - $120K *

Engage with top Salesforce talent to build a robust expert network. Collaborate with delivery teams to match consultants with projects, ensuring optimal fit and timely staffing. Drive community growth...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$143K - $196K *

Lead the charge in driving procurement compliance and strategic initiatives, collaborating across functions to optimize processes and ensure adherence to regulations while supporting business goals an...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of protective intelligence by building and owning a comprehensive program that integrates threat assessments, investigations, and operational processes, ensuring security while enabli...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $225K *

Drive the design and delivery of innovative AI-driven applications. Oversee the full development lifecycle, ensuring scalability and reliability in multi-tenant enterprise solutions while collaboratin...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$125K - $150K *

Unlock your potential as a senior technical leader in utility substation engineering, driving quality standards and innovative solutions for complex projects while mentoring a growing team and collabo...

Austin, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.