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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$175K - $250K *

Join a dynamic team to design secure, scalable back-end services using modern technologies, mentor junior engineers, and drive impactful projects in a fast-paced environment. Collaborate across functi...

Boston, MARemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$268K - $433K *

Champion early clinical development in a dynamic team. Lead clinical research physician role for first-in-human studies, ensuring compliance and collaboration across scientific and regulatory areas to...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $150K *

Transform subscription retention strategies to drive growth and revenue. Own metrics, analyze data, and collaborate cross-functionally to enhance customer experience and optimize retention initiatives...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $110K *

Engage with clients, driving success in digital campaign execution. Become an expert in programmatic advertising processes, enhancing customer satisfaction through effective communication and collabor...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$133K - $146K *

Analyze and enhance quality processes in a dynamic environment, ensuring compliance with industry standards while collaborating cross-functionally to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement in...

Maryland, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$134K - $210K *

Engineer innovative solutions for complex Life Sciences opportunities, leading technical strategy and sales cycles. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver compelling narratives and drive i...

New York, NYRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$228K - $285K *

Shape the future of market access by leading strategic account initiatives, fostering key relationships, and driving collaboration across teams to enhance product access and reimbursement in the oncol...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $250K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI technology by building and operating a secure, production-grade platform. Collaborate with business teams to transform AI capabilities into measurable value...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$180K - $215K *

Unlock regional growth by leading a high-performing sales team, executing launch strategies, and fostering key customer relationships in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Drive performance and ensure...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $110K *

Grow your career with impactful project management in global health initiatives. Lead diverse teams across 20-25 countries, ensuring effective execution of polio and health security programs while fos...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $145K *

Drive impactful program management by leading cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, and delivering measurable results in a dynamic environment. Collaborate effectively...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$210K - $256K *

Shape the future of consumer products, retail, and logistics consulting by leading high-impact transformation programs, building client relationships, and driving business growth through innovative st...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$210K - $256K *

Shape the future of consumer products and retail by driving large-scale transformations, cultivating executive relationships, identifying growth opportunities, and leading innovative initiatives in a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$155K - $175K *

Join a team that's redefining AI solutions for federal programs. Lead the design and delivery of large-scale AI systems, ensuring compliance and modernization while mentoring engineers and influencing...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$225K - $265K *

Accelerate progress at a mission-critical team, leading Data Streaming to enhance data ingestion pipelines. Build a skilled team, ensure pipeline reliability, and collaborate cross-functionally to sup...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $100K *

Unlock insights through quantitative analysis and research, shaping energy policy scenarios while collaborating with stakeholders to enhance philanthropic grantmaking efforts and present findings thro...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$126K - $154K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Accountant, driving financial accuracy and compliance. Collaborate across teams to enhance systems, oversee key accounting functions, and support audits in a dynamic...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $90K *

Analyze and deliver data management solutions to support public health research, utilizing advanced statistical software and collaborating with project leaders to enhance data quality and reporting fo...

Massachusetts, USRemote

1 month ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Transform the claims process by owning backend services in Python and TypeScript. Design event-driven systems that enhance reliability and efficiency, ensuring seamless integration of AI agents while...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Innovate marketing strategies to drive capital solutions for clean energy developers. Lead initiatives from strategy to execution, ensuring impactful positioning and alignment across teams to enhance...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$290K - $340K *

Lead and inspire engineering teams to develop cutting-edge web and AI security solutions. Drive strategy, execution, and organizational health while fostering a culture of innovation and accountabilit...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate the AI sales platform by transforming seller challenges into innovative solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product capabilities, drive user adoption, and shape the r...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$145K - $155K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead the charge in transforming cardiac care through innovative mapping and ablation solutions. Collaborate with clinicians and engineers to enhance patient outcomes and dri...

Philadelphia, PARemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$92K - $120K *

Elevate clinical trial execution by supporting the development team in data review, safety tracking, and cross-functional collaboration to advance innovative clinical programs in ophthalmology...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in shaping the future of utility substation engineering by developing a high-performing team, driving business growth, and delivering integrated solutions for electric utility clients...

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.