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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$152K - $228K *

Drive strategic portfolio execution and lead a high-performing TPM organization, ensuring alignment of complex programs with business objectives and customer outcomes while fostering collaboration and...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$202K - $354K *

Innovate data infrastructure by designing and automating pipelines, ensuring data quality, and collaborating across teams to enhance AI evaluation metrics and performance. Lead initiatives that drive...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative formulation development for Beauty and Home Care. Collaborate with customers across North America, driving growth and transforming ideas into market-leading prod...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$159K - $197K *

Drive compliance excellence in clinical development by providing technical leadership and oversight in GCP, GVP, GLP, and GPP. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and readiness f...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team to innovate waste management solutions, driving sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Collaborate with clients and communities to create impactful projects that enha...

2 days ago

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

$100K - $150K *

Elevate your career as a Senior Analytical Scientist, leading ICP-MS method development and optimization. Collaborate across teams to drive product quality and regulatory compliance while generating r...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Drive technical leadership and project management for environmental assessments, investigations, and remediation projects. Collaborate with clients and regulatory agencies while mentoring staff and en...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Lead complex geological projects, ensuring technical accuracy and client satisfaction while managing budgets and team development. Engage with stakeholders to drive project success and foster client r...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$129K - $211K *

Champion enterprise-wide process safety governance, providing technical leadership and strategic direction to enhance compliance and risk reduction across global manufacturing sites while fostering co...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Champion complex, cross-functional technology programs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and successful delivery of scalable SaaS solutions through collaboration with Engineering, Product...

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2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$90K - $115K *

Innovate in antigen design and purification, driving antibody discovery through molecular biology and mammalian expression expertise. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver high-quality reagents on...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$163K - $306K *

Champion the future of laboratory innovation by leading global product strategy, connecting emerging technologies and customer insights to drive impactful business initiatives across diverse markets...

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2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$364K - $500K+*

Unlock potential by leading the strategic direction and execution of AI Safeguards for Cloud products. Drive innovation and establish engineering practices to build scalable safety systems in a fast-p...

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $210K *

Transform the regulatory landscape by providing strategic leadership in a dynamic biotechnology environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovative RNA-based therapeutic developme...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$175K - $225K *

Empower innovation as a hands-on technical leader, driving AI engineering platform development. Collaborate with a small team to shape architecture, integrate software, and enhance workflows for semic...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$106K - $167K *

Unlock your potential as an Engineering Manager, leading strategic engineering initiatives for production and utility systems. Drive project execution, ensure compliance, and enhance operational effic...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$187K - $253K *

Shape the future of regulatory technology by leading strategic initiatives that enhance compliance, efficiency, and insight-driven operations across Regulatory Affairs and Medical Writing, ensuring se...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$182K - $247K *

Explore innovative solutions as a Specialist Solutions Architect, leveraging agentic AI to tackle complex customer challenges. Collaborate globally to drive adoption of AWS services, create impactful...

2 days ago

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

$87K - $198K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing cancer research through innovative experimental design and collaborative leadership, focusing on autoantibody pathobiology and therapeutic development...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $160K *

Transform autonomous systems development by integrating advanced technologies and optimizing performance for unmanned aerial platforms. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance capabilities...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$89K - $123K *

Innovate operational delivery for early-phase clinical studies by managing vendor collaborations, ensuring compliance, and integrating protocols. Drive project management to deliver high-quality resul...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$92K - $209K *

Engage with stakeholders to define, prioritize, and optimize product roadmaps for cutting-edge compute technologies. Collaborate with teams to analyze market trends, customer needs, and business perfo...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of environmental solutions! As a Senior Project Manager, you'll lead diverse projects across the Southwest, ensuring compliance and quality while mentoring junior...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $170K *

Drive cross-functional collaboration to translate customer demands into actionable programs. Ensure clarity and alignment across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain while managing risks and d...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$96K - $148K *

Transform the chromatography marketing landscape by driving global strategies that enhance brand visibility, stimulate demand, and foster revenue growth through collaboration, innovative campaigns, an...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 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.