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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$120K - $145K *

Drive the success of bioconjugation process development programs by leading a team of scientists, ensuring robust execution, and fostering collaboration across functions to meet customer needs and reg...

3 days ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$118K - $180K *

Lead cross-functional teams to drive New Product Introductions in Advanced Deposition Materials, ensuring alignment across departments and delivering high-quality products on time and within scope. El...

3 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $120K *

Advance your career by supporting analytical method development and problem-solving in a dynamic lab environment while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to drive project success and innovatio...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of oncology by leading clinical development for innovative therapies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design protocols, manage projects, and drive data-driven decisions tha...

1 week ago

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading innovative in vitro pharmacology projects focused on immune-targeting therapies. Drive the development of assays and collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance g...

Today

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by driving high-impact results in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensuring compliance with cGMP and leading process improvements from tech transfer to validation and troubleshoo...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  5 - 7 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Drive operational excellence in manufacturing and quality control, leading teams to ensure safe, compliant production of biological products. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance processes, resol...

1 week ago

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Elevate your career by driving enterprise transformation initiatives across multiple functions. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance processes, ensure measurable outcomes, and foster continuous im...

2 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Advance your career by leading R&D efforts in semiconductor process development. Engage cross-functional teams to innovate and enhance fabrication methods for infrared detection devices while ensuring...

Reposted 1 week ago

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Aerospace & Defense

$105K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to innovation and consumer satisfaction, leading product development initiatives while ensuring safety and quality standards are met across the CottonelleĀ® Dry Bath BusCon...

3 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  5 - 7 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Food & Beverages

$114K - $212K *

Transform visual inspection processes in a cutting-edge facility. Lead cross-functional teams to develop and optimize automated inspection systems, ensuring compliance and efficiency from kit building...

3 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$210K - $331K *

Innovate in biostatistics by leading statistical strategies for drug and vaccine development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust clinical trial designs and analyses, driving impa...

6 days ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$210K - $331K *

Lead biostatistical initiatives in drug and vaccine development, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and analyze clinical trials, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and adva...

6 days ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$323K - $437K *

Shape the future of clinical pathology by providing scientific leadership and expertise. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to interpret data, support regulatory submissions, and mentor team memb...

4 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  11 - 15 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $206K *

Drive early discovery initiatives in a dynamic biotech environment, leading innovative therapeutic programs and collaborating across teams to advance impactful solutions in Immuno-Oncology and Immunol...

2 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  5 - 7 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Engineer innovative datasets and systems to enhance AI models in biology. Collaborate with scientists and AI labs to tackle complex scientific challenges, improving model performance through rigorous...

Today

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal Archaeologist, leading cultural resource surveys and compliance projects across Texas and Louisiana. Collaborate with agencies, manage data, and prepare technical...

1 week ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Business Services

$100K - $120K *

Join us to lead archaeological projects across Texas and Louisiana, conducting cultural resource surveys and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Leverage your expertise to drive qualit...

1 week ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Business Services

$80K - $95K *

Champion your career by overseeing PET laboratory operations, ensuring compliance and quality in radiopharmaceutical production while leading a skilled team to achieve operational excellence and safet...

1 week ago

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $136K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead R&D projects in rare earth recycling and hydrometallurgy. Drive project management, technical expertise, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful scale-u...

Kingston, ONIn-Person

1 month ago

Ā  • Ā  8 - 10 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $100K *

Drive customer satisfaction by leading technical support initiatives, mentoring team members, and collaborating across departments to enhance product understanding and service excellence in a dynamic...

Today

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Champion the development of innovative protein-detection assays, leveraging your expertise in molecular biophysics and analytical methods. Engage in troubleshooting and optimization to enhance assay p...

Reposted 3 days ago

Ā  • Ā  Less than 5 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$93K - $120K *

Empower manufacturing excellence by optimizing processes and enhancing product quality. Collaborate with teams to implement Lean principles, ensuring safety and efficiency in production while driving...

3 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  5 - 7 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Business Services

$167K - $226K *

Innovate your career by driving materials integration R&D for superconducting quantum processors. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to optimize processes and enhance device performance in cut...

3 weeks ago

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

$280K - $300K *

Pioneer innovative AI solutions in workforce management, leading product development from concept to deployment. Collaborate with engineers and executives to create impactful agentic products that enh...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

Ā  • Ā  5 - 7 years exp.Ā  • Ā  Enterprise Technology

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.