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

$103K - $264K *

Tackle complex challenges as a senior technical leader, guiding customers in architecting and optimizing mission-critical workloads on a secure cloud platform. Collaborate across teams to enhance prod...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Optimize research and development of surfactant-based systems, driving innovation in metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants. Collaborate globally to commercialize new products while mentoring R...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$166K - $228K *

Engineer cutting-edge AI/ML infrastructures and lead cross-functional teams. Drive market research and innovative strategies to optimize server system designs, ensuring high performance and quality ac...

New Hampshire, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Lead and mentor a dynamic team in Cultural Resource Management, overseeing complex projects and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Drive business development and enhance project deliv...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$135K - $165K *

Innovate with cutting-edge data science techniques to develop algorithms and models that drive media planning decisions, collaborate with engineering, and deliver impactful insights to stakeholders...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Discover innovative solutions as you leverage your chemistry expertise to drive product development, conduct research, and support complex technical challenges. Collaborate across teams to enhance ope...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$101K - $130K *

Unlock your potential by leading bioanalytical experiments that drive new therapies to market. Collaborate with experts in a dynamic lab environment, ensuring data integrity and quality while managing...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$119K - $165K *

Empower our Supplier Quality team to enhance global performance standards, drive continuous improvement, and foster strategic supplier relationships. Lead initiatives that elevate quality metrics and...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $230K *

Shape and lead a global Environmental Health & Safety program, ensuring compliance and fostering a proactive safety culture. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance emergency preparedness a...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead metallurgical efforts, ensuring product quality and customer satisfaction while optimizing processes for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Drive innovation and technic...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$103K - $192K *

Explore innovative research in lung biology and immunology to uncover therapeutic targets for respiratory diseases. Lead projects, collaborate across disciplines, and drive early clinical development...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $150K *

Lead innovative projects as a Senior Engineer, enhancing impactful journalism through full-stack development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable solutions, ensuring system reli...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$147K - $210K *

Lead the charge in advancing scientific discovery through innovative AI systems, managing research agendas, and collaborating with experts to tackle high-impact challenges in computational biology and...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$62K - $237K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative mechanical solutions for rugged environments, overseeing the full design cycle from concept to delivery. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tackle com...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$62K - $237K *

Invent innovative mechanical solutions to complex challenges, guiding projects from concept to delivery. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and prototype state-of-the-art systems for a...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead innovative chemistry workstreams for radioisotope production, driving experimental design, mentoring scientists, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product develop...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of consumer science in R&D by leading product performance validation and translating consumer insights into actionable recommendations, enhancing product development processes and red...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$125K - $200K *

Oversee ship maintenance projects for Navy R&D, providing technical leadership in planning and compliance while ensuring project performance meets Navy standards and organizational practices...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$124K - $168K *

Empower innovation by developing cutting-edge AI agents for a transformative platform. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance agent capabilities, ensuring reliability and efficiency in real-world...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$121K - $205K *

Join a team that's redefining manufacturing excellence by leading pressure decay leak test systems. You'll drive design, validation, and optimization processes, ensuring compliance and reliability acr...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$121K - $205K *

Lead the charge in optimizing pressure decay leak test systems across manufacturing lines. As a subject matter expert, you'll ensure compliance and reliability in testing processes, driving continuous...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $90K *

Empower the future of fusion energy by maintaining and enhancing complex electrical systems in a cutting-edge research environment. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation and ens...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$116K - $264K *

Shape the future of technical programs by leading cross-functional initiatives, managing risks, and optimizing processes to drive transformational change and enhance organizational efficiency across m...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $264K *

Lead the charge in integrated technical execution across scientific computing, laboratory automation, and AI workflows. Drive complex programs, resolve dependencies, and ensure successful delivery fro...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $264K *

Drive integrated technical execution across scientific computing and laboratory automation. Lead complex programs, manage dependencies, and ensure successful delivery from planning to production readi...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   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.