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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$109K - $179K *

Drive innovative analytical methods in mass spectrometry to characterize therapeutic proteins. Collaborate across teams to support drug development, utilizing advanced LC-MS technologies for comprehen...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development of scalable engineering processes for APIs and natural products, ensuring robust methodologies and effective cross-functional collaboration throughout the product lifecycle...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $160K *

Elevate your career by leading R&D in advanced materials for innovative power systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor technicians, and drive projects from concept to completion while...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$163K - $228K *

Engineer high-throughput automated workflows, translating scientific goals into scalable solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define system architectures, enhance laboratory automatio...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $245K *

Unlock potential by providing technical leadership in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Lead complex initiatives, mentor engineers, and drive process standardization to enhance yield and efficienc...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative approaches in computational synthetic biology to enhance genetic engineering detection capabilities, ensuring safety against biothreats through advanced analysis...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Transform global healthcare by managing strategic client projects, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes and deliver optimal solutions, making a...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing large-scale IT projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business goals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success while adhering to gove...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$85K - $100K *

Lead laboratory operations and project delivery in construction materials testing. Oversee technical staff, ensure compliance with industry standards, and maintain quality assurance across diverse inf...

Burnaby, BCIn-Person

Today

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

$133K - $172K *

Innovate in biophysical characterization by applying mass spectrometry and proteomics to enhance product quality for viral vector and T-cell therapies. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive process...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead operational excellence in a high-volume laboratory, mentoring future leaders and driving strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency and profitability while ensuring compliance with quality stand...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in electrical engineering projects across the Americas, mentoring junior engineers while ensuring high-quality delivery and adherence to design standards in a dynamic, growth-focused e...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $145K *

Drive innovative electrical engineering solutions across diverse projects, mentoring junior engineers while ensuring high-quality delivery and adherence to standards. Collaborate with teams to enhance...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$174K - $255K *

Lead the charge in defining and executing a strategic product vision that drives digital growth, enhances customer engagement, and maximizes revenue across diverse channels and ecosystems, ensuring al...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$174K - $255K *

Transform your career by leading strategic digital growth initiatives that enhance customer engagement and drive revenue. Shape product strategies across diverse channels, leveraging insights to creat...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$174K - $255K *

Unlock your potential as a senior product leader driving digital growth strategies. Shape product vision and multi-year roadmaps to enhance customer engagement and revenue across diverse channels in a...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$174K - $255K *

Lead strategic growth initiatives by defining product vision and multi-year roadmaps. Drive digital demand and revenue through innovative customer experiences across diverse channels, leveraging marke...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$71K - $169K *

Champion quality assurance by leading a global team through the software testing lifecycle. Drive automation strategies, enhance collaboration, and ensure timely delivery while mitigating risks and im...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$71K - $169K *

Join us in leading the Quality Engineering team to enhance software testing processes, ensuring quality and reliability from strategy to release. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive autom...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Drive excellence in metallurgical processes by leading a skilled team, ensuring safety compliance, and optimizing plant performance through innovative strategies and continuous improvement initiatives...

Vanderhoof, BCIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$161K - $215K *

Drive the future of exploration as a Principal Geoscientist, leading innovative strategies and methodologies to identify and evaluate global opportunities, while mentoring teams and influencing invest...

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$116K - $159K *

Champion quality excellence by leading product evaluation and control initiatives. Collaborate with teams to enhance quality systems, ensuring compliance and efficiency in manufacturing processes whil...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Engineer innovative chemical processes and optimize existing routes for key intermediates and APIs. Collaborate with teams to conduct multistep syntheses, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance whi...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $170K *

Unlock potential by leading product strategy for innovative single-use mixing solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive new product introductions, optimize revenue, and enhance customer satis...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$204K - $270K *

Drive innovation by architecting advanced laboratory automation platforms, integrating AI and robotics for seamless scientific discovery at scale. Lead a team, establishing best practices for system d...

Reposted 2 weeks 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.