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
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$171K - $222K *

Transform the future of AI by leading innovative research in continual learning and memory-augmented architectures, impacting millions of developers through cutting-edge machine learning solutions and...

1 week ago

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

$114K - $240K *

Empower teams by managing complex R&D programs, ensuring alignment with contract scopes, budgets, and schedules while fostering collaboration across technical and executive teams to deliver innovative...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$92K - $166K *

Champion the execution of material strategies by managing purchase orders, resolving delays, and ensuring supplier accountability. Drive program success through effective risk management and collabora...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in resin manufacturing by leading tech transfer projects, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and fostering collaboration across global stakeholders to ac...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$90K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team as a key technical resource in Quality Control, supporting analytical method validation and troubleshooting in a cGMP-regulated lab. Contribute to API manufacturing and enhance QC...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$139K - $191K *

Lead a high-performing engineering team to optimize processes, drive innovation, and enhance operational excellence in a dynamic environment. Oversee project planning, resource management, and complia...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $234K *

Innovate in computational science by leveraging human genetics and genomic data to drive therapeutic target discovery and enhance patient selection strategies in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$111K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative medical nutrition formulations by leveraging food science expertise. Collaborate across teams to ensure product alignment with clinical evidence, safety standards, and market needs...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$117K - $184K *

Drive pharmaceutical product development by utilizing advanced analytical tools and methods. Collaborate in a dynamic team to solve complex problems, conduct testing, and prepare regulatory documents...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$117K - $184K *

Join our dynamic team as a Senior Scientist, leveraging advanced analytical tools to drive pharmaceutical product development and commercialization in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $135K *

Unlock your potential as you support innovative research in polymer chemistry and hybrid materials. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and evaluate advanced materials, contributing to...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$176K - $304K *

Analyze advanced materials using computational methods to accelerate discovery and optimization. Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment, integrating physics simulations and AI to guide resear...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $195K *

Join a team that's shaping global regulatory strategies, managing U.S. and ex-U.S. submissions, and ensuring compliance with FDA and EU regulations. Leverage your expertise to drive impactful regulato...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $195K *

Lead the charge in global regulatory submissions, managing U.S. INDs and ex-U.S. CTAs. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop strategies, ensure compliance, and drive timely approvals in a fast-pac...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$136K - $211K *

Drive innovative research by connecting physiological signals to human outcomes. Collaborate with teams to design studies, build models, and enhance measurement quality, all while leveraging AI tools...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$136K - $184K *

Unlock insights at scale by designing and deploying ML systems that transform employee feedback into actionable signals, driving strategic decisions across the organization. Collaborate with teams to...

4 days ago

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

$199K - $270K *

Drive the evolution of cyber defense by defining and executing a modern strategy. Lead initiatives to enhance security platforms, build scalable solutions, and strengthen enterprise resilience while s...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Drive scientific excellence by leading assay execution, interpreting data, and collaborating across teams to ensure timely study progress and quality outcomes in a dynamic laboratory environment...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in food colors by identifying product opportunities, enhancing profitability, and managing lifecycles to support strategic growth and customer success in the food...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$175K - $210K *

Oversee strategic planning and execution of enterprise-wide initiatives, collaborating with senior leaders to enhance business capabilities and performance. Lead diverse teams to drive impactful proje...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$85K - $110K *

Drive impactful market research initiatives by leading diverse projects, managing client relationships, and mentoring junior researchers. Collaborate across teams to deliver actionable insights that s...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$75K - $130K *

Manage daily lab operations, ensuring quality control and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with teams to enhance efficiency through innovative methods and technologies while overseeing equipment mai...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $200K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the commissioning of high-volume manufacturing lines, driving innovation in advanced materials. Collaborate closely with engineers to ensure seamless production processes a...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$109K - $148K *

Advance complex CMC development programs by leading project management efforts, ensuring cross-functional alignment, and driving timely delivery of objectives through effective planning and risk manag...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $304K *

Drive innovation in AI-enabled protein engineering by developing ML workflows and models that enhance biomolecular design, integrating expertise across machine learning, biology, and experimental coll...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 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.