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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$150K - $245K *

Join a dynamic team to lead oncology imaging strategies in clinical trials, focusing on innovative biomarkers and multimodality imaging. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance patient trea...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$132K - $251K *

Elevate your career by tackling complex RF signal processing challenges. Join a dynamic team focused on developing innovative sensor technologies for defense and intelligence applications, leveraging...

Texas, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $140K *

Lead the charge in advancing materials technology for medical applications, overseeing NPI, NPD, and R&D projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and ensure successful pro...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$95K - $131K *

Unlock potential by developing and optimizing glass melting processes for pilot and manufacturing scales, ensuring consistency and control while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to drive inn...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$104K - $150K *

Transform the future of recombinant protein development by leading a dynamic team of scientists. Drive innovation in purification processes and product development while fostering collaboration and te...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Invent innovative perfluoroelastomer solutions, optimizing performance for semiconductor and industrial applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate customer needs into cutting-e...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Empower forensic laboratories globally by validating cutting-edge DNA technologies. Collaborate with teams to ensure seamless integration of new systems, providing expert training and support to enhan...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Empower innovation as a key technical contributor, leading formulation strategies and driving product development. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance, quality, and compliance while mentor...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$162K - $271K *

Shape the future of drug delivery by leading scientific initiatives and mentoring teams. Collaborate across disciplines to drive breakthroughs in formulation science and enhance early-stage drug devel...

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$162K - $271K *

Shape the future of drug delivery by leading innovative research in formulation science. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive scientific advancements and mentor emerging scientists in a dy...

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $223K *

Deliver innovative immunogenicity assays by leading cross-functional teams and projects, ensuring compliance with global regulations while mentoring scientists and supporting drug development for prot...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$157K - $200K *

Shape the future of product marketing by driving growth and lifecycle management for key segments. Collaborate across teams to translate strategies into actionable plans, ensuring product success from...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$116K - $175K *

Elevate quality assurance standards by leading a validation team, driving compliance, and fostering innovation in a dynamic biotechnology environment. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance operati...

Burnaby, BCIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$168K - $272K *

Empower the vision for materials chemistry products, leading strategy and execution through R&D and customer engagement, translating complex chemistry into market-ready solutions that drive tangible c...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$131K - $177K *

Join us to advance inflammation discovery by leading scientific initiatives, integrating experimental and computational methods, and delivering impactful insights that shape therapeutic strategies and...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$91K - $125K *

Lead the charge in supplier quality engineering, driving improvements in resin manufacturing processes and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance while managing suppl...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Transform project execution by leading capital initiatives, ensuring safety, compliance, and quality. Collaborate with teams to define project scopes, manage resources, and achieve milestones while ma...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in pharmaceutical development by leveraging your expertise in analytical testing and method validation. Collaborate on complex projects, ensuring compliance with...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$106K - $113K *

Join a team that's driving innovative R&D in analytical development. Oversee projects, leverage mass spectrometry and bioprocessing expertise, and contribute to cutting-edge biologics characterization...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Transform the automated platform by developing new reactions and capabilities. Collaborate with AI and robotics to optimize processes, conduct hands-on experiments, and ensure reliable execution at sc...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$194K - $265K *

Drive the strategic scientific direction for Safety Pharmacology and Toxicology studies, ensuring timely reporting and regulatory compliance while collaborating with cross-functional teams to support...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$141K - $231K *

Shape the future of mRNA-LNP therapies by leading analytical development efforts, driving innovative assay strategies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and excellence...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative manufacturing solutions by scaling prototype wet-cell processes into efficient industrial systems. Lead experiments, manage vendors, and ensure safety and performance in production...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$140K - $160K *

Drive customer success by providing expert technical support and training for the xPloration platform. Collaborate with sales and science teams to enhance workflows and ensure seamless adoption in bio...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading a high-performing team to ensure quality standards, drive operational improvements, and foster client relationships while managing complex projects and developing team capa...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 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.