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 - $207K *

Join a dynamic team to drive product success and operational excellence in biopharma. Lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and ensure timely delivery while fostering innovation and continuous...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of cultural resources management in Northern California. Lead diverse archaeological projects, manage client relationships, and drive business development while e...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$145K - $165K *

Shape the future of chemical management and product stewardship by leading strategic scientific initiatives. Collaborate with global organizations to navigate complex regulations and provide data-driv...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$225K - $275K *

Lead the charge in analytical development, driving strategies for preclinical and clinical programs. Oversee method validation and ensure compliance with GMP standards while collaborating across teams...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$145K - $158K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Professional Geologist, leading complex solid waste projects. Drive groundwater monitoring, regulatory compliance, and multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver inno...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $100K *

Transform environmental investigations by leading field efforts, managing projects, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with teams to analyze data, develop site models, and deliver high-quality repor...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $115K *

Elevate operational excellence by leading manufacturing and packaging activities, ensuring compliance with quality standards and safety regulations. Drive continuous improvement initiatives while coll...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$145K - $185K *

Champion global regulatory strategies and compliance for product lifecycles. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure adherence to regulations, manage submissions, and oversee post-market act...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$138K - $190K *

Drive innovative inspection systems development by defining concepts, analyzing data, and troubleshooting issues. Collaborate with teams to enhance product capabilities and guide less experienced coll...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Empower innovation by architecting next-gen AI-driven CRM solutions. Lead a dynamic team to optimize data processing, enhance automation, and deliver exceptional user experiences while driving market...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$400K - $500K+*

Champion innovative assessments in AI safety by leading a skilled team. Design experiments, audit existing evaluations, and produce impactful reports while collaborating closely with a frontier AI lab...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$157K - $210K *

Elevate product-line growth by driving lifecycle management and strategic marketing initiatives. Collaborate across teams to translate market insights into actionable plans, ensuring competitive posit...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$185K - $315K *

Champion the development of cutting-edge enterprise language models, leveraging AI and ML expertise to solve complex challenges. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance model performance an...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $210K *

Champion the design and development of scalable AI/ML-powered search services, leveraging cloud technologies and microservices to drive innovation and efficiency in data processing and storage solutio...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in environmental consulting by managing complex projects, driving business development, and mentoring a diverse team. Collaborate with clients across sectors to deliver innovative solu...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by leading environmental engineering projects, mentoring teams, and driving business development across diverse sectors. Collaborate with professionals globally while ensuring comp...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of environmental consulting. Lead diverse projects, mentor professionals, and drive business development while ensuring compliance and client satisfaction across...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Drive impactful environmental consulting projects by leading a multi-disciplinary team, fostering client relationships, and managing complex remediation efforts across diverse sectors, while mentoring...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$91K - $107K *

Engage with us to execute and optimize flow cytometry assays, supporting preclinical and translational science in xenotransplantation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable resul...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $183K *

Drive multidisciplinary environmental projects, ensuring compliance and innovative solutions in waste treatment, site remediation, and pollution control while fostering client relationships and suppor...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$150K - $245K *

Drive innovative oncology imaging strategies in clinical trials, leading the development of imaging biomarkers and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance patient treatment options and en...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $245K *

Advance your career by leading innovative oncology imaging strategies in clinical trials. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop imaging biomarkers and ensure optimal execution of imaging...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $245K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative imaging biomarkers for oncology clinical trials, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance treatment options and ensure data integrity in complex im...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$142K - $179K *

Shape the future of mechanical engineering by leading multidisciplinary teams in the design and delivery of innovative process and utility equipment for Mining, Minerals, and Metals projects, ensuring...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$97K - $115K *

Innovate in a dynamic team by developing and optimizing multiplex proteomic panels and NULISA immunoassays. Drive biomarker discovery and validation while managing complex projects and delivering reli...

1 week 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.