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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$170K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team, guiding clients in operational excellence and continuous improvement. This role drives organizational change and strategic execution, ensuring effective methodologies and leadersh...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Unlock your potential as a Project Manager, leading capital projects from planning to execution. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure projects meet scope, budget, and timelines while driving effic...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Unlock your potential by leading capital projects that drive facility expansions and infrastructure upgrades. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and i...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $135K *

Transform project execution in regulated environments by managing scope, schedule, and resources for facilities and engineering projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance a...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform data into insights as you drive process excellence in cell therapy manufacturing. Collaborate across teams to enhance quality and efficiency through statistical analysis and automation, ensu...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$82K - $110K *

Drive innovation in catalyst technologies by executing experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product development and optimize performance in a dynamic R...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$218K - $295K *

Lead the charge in advancing performance measurement solutions, guiding a team of scientists to tackle complex advertising challenges while innovating in a rapidly evolving landscape of privacy and te...

1 week ago

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

$108K - $170K *

Contribute to the advancement of functional materials by designing and integrating custom instruments, enhancing lab capabilities, and driving innovative experimental workflows in a fast-paced R&D env...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$172K - $223K *

Drive innovative machine learning solutions to detect and prevent fraud, enhancing investigation capabilities and safeguarding assets. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop predictive mod...

2 weeks ago

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

$142K - $193K *

Unlock potential by designing and deploying innovative ML models to tackle complex challenges. Collaborate with scientists and engineers to drive impactful AI/ML projects, ensuring scalable and effici...

3 weeks ago

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

$204K - $310K *

Shape the future of AI foundational models by defining roadmap priorities and translating scientific insights into impactful capabilities, driving research into operational excellence while collaborat...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Drive the management, operation, and security of client-facing SaaS products hosted on AWS. Be a hands-on leader, ensuring platform performance, compliance, and continuous product improvement while su...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Lead the charge in managing client-facing SaaS products on AWS, ensuring operational excellence, security compliance, and performance optimization while overseeing a dedicated team. Drive innovation a...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Elevate operational excellence by leading end-to-end management of client-facing AWS SaaS products, ensuring security, compliance, and optimization while directly engaging in architecture and support...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Drive product excellence by owning the lifecycle and security of high-performance client SaaS platforms hosted on AWS. Lead a dedicated team to optimize operations, ensure compliance, and deliver seam...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Join a team that's committed to optimizing and securing our AWS-hosted SaaS platforms, ensuring compliance and performance. Take on hands-on leadership in architecture, operations, and product reliabi...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Innovate processes for API and natural products, leading cross-functional teams to optimize development and commercialization strategies while ensuring compliance and scientific excellence throughout...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$171K - $223K *

Drive biomarker strategy for large-molecule programs in rare diseases. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape clinical development plans, ensuring regulatory compliance and advancing therape...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$204K - $310K *

Join a pioneering team to shape the vision and capabilities of foundational models. Drive impactful research and product development that translates into real-world applications, while collaborating a...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $180K *

Innovate in R&D by leading projects and teams to develop diagnostic assays. Collaborate with scientists to analyze data, execute experiments, and drive product development while fostering a positive t...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $180K *

Drive innovation in R&D by leading a team to translate research into diagnostic products. Oversee project planning, conduct experiments, and analyze data while fostering collaboration and technical ex...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$82K - $100K *

Optimize analytical methods and procedures in a dynamic lab environment. Collaborate across operations to ensure accuracy in non-routine samples, maintain equipment, and train staff while adhering to...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Unlock your potential by supporting formulation development for successful product launches. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely project completion while adhering to regulatory st...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$75K - $96K *

Drive innovative fermentation and recovery processes in a dynamic lab environment, supporting biofuels and bioproducts development from bench to pilot scale while collaborating with multidisciplinary...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$160K - $175K *

Shape the future of bakery innovation by leading the development of cutting-edge applications and solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product excellence from concept to commerc...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

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.