Explore Principal Systems Engineer jobs on Ladders, where you can find vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Principal systems engineers shape the architecture and evolution of complex systems, connecting technical strategy with practical engineering execution across an organization.
Principal systems engineers guide the design, integration, and performance of systems across their full lifecycle. They translate business and customer needs into system requirements, define architectures, assess technical risks, and coordinate work across engineering disciplines. Depending on the employer, roles may focus on software, hardware, cloud platforms, aerospace, defense, telecommunications, or other complex environments.
Employers often seek extensive systems engineering experience, strong architectural judgment, and a record of delivering complex programs. Useful skills include requirements management, systems modeling, integration and verification, technical leadership, risk analysis, and clear communication. Industry-specific credentials, tools, or security clearances may be required for certain positions.
Principal-level roles typically carry significant technical responsibility and may offer compensation above $100,000, though pay varies with industry, location, experience, and scope. Compare current openings to understand the qualifications and compensation offered by individual employers. Principal systems engineers can progress into distinguished engineering, chief architect, engineering management, or technical executive roles.
Browse vetted professional openings and identify opportunities that match your expertise and career goals. Use Ladders to explore Principal Systems Engineer positions paying $100,000 or more and take the next step in your senior engineering career.
$120K - $215K *
Drive innovative systems engineering processes to enhance design, integration, and management of complex nuclear systems. Ensure cohesive functionality and project compliance by leading teams and appl...
4 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Application Engineer
$125K - $160K *
Elevate your career by owning electrical application engineering for prefabricated platforms. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver scalable solutions, ensuring design integrity and execution read...
2 weeks ago
System Administrator Principal
$120K - $160K *
Optimize customer service management and AI capabilities by leading ServiceNow implementations, enhancing workflows, and ensuring compliance with governance standards to elevate customer experience an...
2 days ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative remedial systems design solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, providing technical leadership and strategic direction for diverse environmental p...
Reposted 6 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in engineering management, facilitating industry standards and guidance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop technical reports and oversee project execution while drivin...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive progress at our company by leading a team of SCADA engineers to implement advanced Ignition SCADA systems in data centers, ensuring quality execution and mentoring talent while managing multiple...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior ILA/A&E Engineering Lead
$110K - $130K *
Transform large-scale project design by leading ILA/A&E engineering initiatives. Own technical solutions from site evaluation to construction support, fostering ADB's growth through effective collabor...
3 weeks ago
Senior SI/PI Engineer - AI and Compute Server Design
$110K - $130K *
Partner with us to optimize high-speed interconnect performance through SI/PI simulation, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance design quality and resolve signal issues across various a...
3 weeks ago
Systems Integrations Architect
$119K - $140K *
Lead the charge in optimizing our enterprise application ecosystem by designing and integrating key systems like Salesforce, NetSuite, and Boomi. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance dat...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Grow your career with a dynamic role focused on coding, cloud resources, and database support. Lead automation projects, solve unique challenges daily, and collaborate with teams to deliver practical...
Today
Sr. Software Engineer, Structural
$120K - $145K *
Join a pioneering team where you'll innovate software solutions for framing and structural analysis. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, set technical direction, and contribute to softwar...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineering Team Manager
$125K - $150K *
Lead the modernization of a data platform, ensuring reliability and security while managing engineering teams across legacy and new technologies. Drive AI-native practices and uphold quality standards...
Reposted 3 days ago
$137K - $231K *
Empower your career by shaping design systems that enhance user experience. Collaborate with teams to build high-quality, interactive UI across platforms, ensuring accessibility and performance while...
1 week ago
$151K - $195K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of design engineering by developing innovative systems that enhance user experience across web and mobile platforms. Your expertise will drive quality and perform...
1 week ago
Senior Site Reliability Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Provide your expertise to enhance system reliability and performance. You'll define service level objectives, build observability, and lead incident response, ensuring our platform meets high availabi...
Reposted 1 week ago
$174K - $273K *
Lead the charge in a high-impact Growth team, managing and mentoring engineers, optimizing delivery, and driving product strategy to enhance customer acquisition and engagement efficiently...
3 weeks ago
Principal Customer Solutions Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative technical solutions, guiding customers through complex digital transformations, and enhancing software capabilities within a collaborative environ...
3 weeks ago
Senior Supplier Development Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in optimizing supplier performance and innovation. Drive a team to enhance supplier capabilities, ensuring high-quality product delivery while fostering strategic relationships and con...
Today
Senior Supplier Development Engineer
$97K - $122K *
Advance your career by leading supplier development initiatives that enhance performance and innovation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products while driving continuo...
Today
Sr. Equip Eng, Structural Processing
$86K - $165K *
Elevate your career by supporting advanced manufacturing equipment development and integration. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable automation solutions in a dynamic, remote en...
2 weeks ago
Director, Research and Development
$125K - $135K *
Lead the technology strategy for a dynamic software development team, overseeing modernization efforts and AI integration across multiple product lines. Foster innovation, accountability, and continuo...
1 week ago
Lead Platform Engineer/Architect - HPC, Kubernetes
$150K - $180K *
Join a high-growth infrastructure team to operate and scale Kubernetes platforms across multiple cloud providers, ensuring efficient GPU resource allocation and robust monitoring systems to support ma...
2 weeks ago
Lead Platform Engineer/Architect - HPC, Kubernetes
$150K - $180K *
Accelerate progress at a high-growth infrastructure team managing Kubernetes platforms across multiple clouds. You'll enhance GPU resource efficiency and ensure system reliability while collaborating...
2 weeks ago
Lead Platform Engineer/Architect - HPC, Kubernetes
$150K - $180K *
Empower your career by joining a dynamic infrastructure team managing Kubernetes platforms across multiple clouds. You'll develop systems that safeguard GPU resources, ensuring optimal performance and...
2 weeks ago
$107K - $195K *
Drive the implementation of the Radar Surveillance Replacement program by serving as a field engineer, ensuring successful installation and consultation at critical airport sites while collaborating w...
2 weeks ago
What does a Principal Systems Engineer do?
A Principal Systems Engineer defines and guides the architecture, requirements, integration, and performance of complex systems. The role often includes technical leadership, risk management, cross-functional coordination, and mentoring.
What qualifications are commonly required for Principal Systems Engineer jobs?
Employers commonly look for substantial systems engineering experience, expertise in system architecture and integration, strong analytical and communication skills, and a record of leading complex technical work. Specific degrees, tools, certifications, or clearances depend on the industry and employer.
How much do Principal Systems Engineers earn?
Compensation varies by employer, location, industry, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more; review each listing for its specific compensation details.
What industries hire Principal Systems Engineers?
Principal Systems Engineers work in industries such as aerospace and defense, software, cloud computing, telecommunications, automotive, energy, and other fields that develop or operate complex systems.
What career paths can follow a Principal Systems Engineer role?
Experienced professionals may advance into distinguished engineering or chief architect positions, lead larger technical organizations, or move into engineering management and technical executive roles.