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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$103K - $176K *

Innovate solutions by leading mechanical engineering projects to enhance production processes. Collaborate with stakeholders to design, implement, and optimize equipment and systems, ensuring safety a...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$190K - $237K *

Optimize sourcing strategies and procurement processes for clinical operations, ensuring effective vendor management and governance across global clinical trials. Collaborate with cross-functional tea...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $200K *

Manage strategic customer engagement and growth within Navy and DoD sectors. Leverage existing networks and industry insights to identify business opportunities that align with Millennium’s objectives...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $275K *

Lead and optimize cloud infrastructure for simulation frameworks, driving team performance and technical strategy. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance validation processes and ensure robust soft...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$287K - $320K *

Join a team that's redefining financial insights through AI. As a senior technical leader, you'll shape the multi-year strategy for Reporting & Insights, guiding engineering teams to innovate and scal...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$76K - $199K *

Advance customer engagement and sales strategies for a Vaccines Portfolio, driving product promotion and relationship development through both in-person and virtual interactions while collaborating wi...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by architecting scalable analytics systems and AI-driven workflows that empower decision-making across our enterprise SaaS business, paving the way for innovation and growth in a d...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$126K - $215K *

Transform AI experiences by architecting LLM-based agents that integrate with real-world tools, orchestrate tasks, and scale in production. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation and ensure high...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Champion impactful programs by leading cross-functional teams, driving strategic alignment, and ensuring seamless execution. Leverage your expertise to manage complex initiatives that delight customer...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$132K - $199K *

Join a team that's committed to transparency in clinical trials, ensuring compliance with global disclosure regulations. This role blends operational and strategic tasks, fostering collaboration and q...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$215K - $250K *

Pioneer your career by leading a dynamic sales team focused on Labor and Public Sector markets. Drive growth, mentor talent, and execute strategic initiatives to exceed revenue goals while building im...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $225K *

Transform the future of auto claims by designing AI agents that enhance decision-making and streamline processes. Join a dynamic team to build innovative solutions that improve efficiency and accuracy...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$146K - $170K *

Lead the charge in enhancing client relationships and driving growth across our North American laboratory network. Oversee Client Service teams, ensuring seamless service delivery and proactive accoun...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$135K - $165K *

Transform the marketing landscape by driving product launches, shaping narratives, and executing strategies in a dynamic environment. Collaborate closely with engineers to communicate complex technolo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $180K *

Build a robust data foundation to elevate Market Intelligence. Drive automation and streamline data workflows, enriching insights for research and publishing, while ensuring data integrity and accessi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Engage with engineers to enhance developer workflows and tools. Own the product lifecycle from discovery to adoption, ensuring high-quality internal software that meets user needs and drives efficienc...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$127K - $190K *

Drive innovative optical solutions in semiconductor metrology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, prototype, and optimize optical systems, ensuring customer satisfaction and alignment...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by leading AI/ML R&D efforts, driving model evaluation, predictive analytics, and experimental design while mentoring a team to enhance organizational ML fluency and deliver measurabl...

Myrtle Point, ORRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$70K - $115K *

Empower your career by joining a dynamic team focused on healthcare compliance auditing. Utilize your analytical skills to drive impactful audits and contribute to client deliverables while receiving...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$192K - $303K *

Empower innovation as you lead the strategy and development of core platform primitives, driving the future of agentic systems and ensuring product teams can rapidly create and deploy advanced agents...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $145K *

Elevate medical communications by developing high-quality, strategic content across therapeutic areas. Collaborate with teams and clients to ensure accuracy and adherence to guidelines while supervisi...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $120K *

Transform media operations by planning and coordinating across various areas, ensuring efficiency and adherence to best practices while driving productivity and cost savings in a dynamic environment...

New York, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $130K *

Empower growth by orchestrating RFP strategies, developing proposals, and closing contracts. Engage with biotech clients to ensure satisfaction and drive sales success through effective communication...

North Carolina, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $120K *

Drive the financial health of projects while leading teams to success. Manage budgets, forecasts, and vendor coordination to ensure project delivery across multiple brands. Your strategic insight will...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading product marketing strategies for developer-facing solutions. Collaborate across teams to enhance messaging, drive customer engagement, and ensure successful deployments, al...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 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.