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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$95K - $115K *

Develop innovative color solutions for thermoplastic compounds while leading a dynamic lab team. Oversee formulation, quality systems, and customer engagement to drive product development and continuo...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$124K - $155K *

Lead the Analytical Laboratory team, driving excellence in testing and quality assurance across manufacturing processes. Collaborate with R&D and operations to enhance laboratory capabilities and ensu...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$135K - $170K *

Join a team that's driving innovative clinical research across multiple regions, leading teams to ensure on-time deliverables and high-quality data management in complex trials. Support site managemen...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Bring your expertise to lead ADME studies, ensuring compliance with scientific and regulatory standards while managing client interactions and project timelines. Drive study design and execution, leve...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $180K *

Unlock your potential by developing engineering specifications for oil and gas projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with industry standards while supporting procurem...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $150K *

Manage diverse geochemistry projects, coordinating teams and resources to ensure timely delivery within scope and budget. Collaborate with technical leads and clients to drive project success in a dyn...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$137K - $205K *

Shape the future of quality assurance in construction materials testing by leading strategic initiatives, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of excellence across field and lab operations to...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$114K - $155K *

Unlock potential by managing product lifecycles, driving innovation, and collaborating across teams to deliver market-leading solutions that enhance customer experiences and address global challenges...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $145K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in product management, overseeing the entire lifecycle from strategy to commercialization. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $181K *

Join a team that's advancing therapeutic discovery through innovative protein sciences. This role emphasizes protein expression, purification, and analytical characterization, requiring collaboration...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$143K - $232K *

Transform the future of applied omics by leading a dynamic product management team. Drive innovation across genomics and emerging modalities, ensuring strategic growth and operational excellence in re...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $230K *

Drive innovative research in skin biology and inflammation, leading cross-functional teams to develop therapeutic strategies. Utilize advanced technologies and human data to enhance decision-making fr...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$127K - $150K *

Shape the future of neuroscience by leading innovative preclinical projects in cellular pharmacology and therapeutic development, while mentoring junior scientists and establishing robust laboratory w...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $145K *

Transform product strategies by managing the entire lifecycle, collaborating across teams to deliver innovative solutions that enhance customer experiences and drive market growth...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$116K - $264K *

Champion large-scale infrastructure delivery by leading complex programs, resolving high-priority challenges, and driving cross-functional collaboration to accelerate data center expansion and ensure...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $264K *

Join a dynamic team as a Principal Technical Program Manager, driving large-scale data center expansion. Lead cross-functional initiatives, resolve complex challenges, and ensure alignment with global...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $264K *

Accelerate progress at our dynamic team by leading complex data center programs. Drive cross-functional collaboration, resolve high-priority challenges, and ensure alignment with global expansion stra...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $264K *

Unlock potential by leading complex technical programs that drive cross-functional collaboration and optimize processes. Shape strategic direction, manage risks, and enhance operational efficiency to...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $264K *

Shape the future of AI for Support by leading technical programs that enhance automation and data insights, driving self-service solutions and improving customer experiences through strategic collabor...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $264K *

Oversee the alignment of technical strategies and priorities across teams, ensuring effective execution of complex projects and driving transformational change while managing risks and promoting cross...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $206K *

Help us drive innovation in drug discovery by leveraging advanced mass spectrometry to uncover biological insights and develop transformative therapeutic modalities. Collaborate across disciplines to...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $206K *

Contribute to innovative research by leveraging advanced mass spectrometry to uncover biological insights and drive drug discovery. Collaborate across disciplines to develop impactful therapeutic moda...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$101K - $126K *

Unlock potential by joining our team to automate and scale protein production workflows, leveraging your expertise in protein expression and purification to drive innovation in drug discovery and pati...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in advancing research strategy and operations at a premier lab. Collaborate with top scientists to enhance research initiatives, oversee operations, and foster a culture of excellence...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$132K - $186K *

Join a dynamic team to lead AI innovations in structural heart disease, driving the development of advanced machine learning models and digital solutions that enhance patient care and outcomes in a re...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 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.