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.
$200K - $300K *
Shape the future of PLL design by architecting and simulating advanced analog/mixed-signal circuits, ensuring optimal performance and integration in cutting-edge technologies while leading a team thro...
4 days ago
Lead Specialist, Solution Architect
$150K - $160K *
Design innovative solutions for a secure online proctored testing platform, guiding engineering teams in modernizing architecture and ensuring scalable, reliable delivery while enhancing candidate and...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical Engineer 2 - Nuclear
$100K - $152K *
Drive innovative electrical designs within nuclear power projects, collaborating with diverse teams to enhance system reliability and performance. Address complex engineering challenges while ensuring...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer 2 - Nuclear
$100K - $152K *
Elevate your career by solving complex electrical engineering challenges in nuclear power. Engage with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure project delivery, from design through installation, while supp...
3 weeks ago
Principal Solution Architect, ITSM
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of technology solutions by leveraging your expertise as a Principal Solution Architect. Drive customer success through innovative implementations and strategic gu...
1 week ago
Principal Software Tester (Edifecs)
$80K - $120K *
Elevate software quality by leading comprehensive testing strategies, ensuring all systems meet rigorous standards and user needs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive improvements and del...
1 week ago
Principal Software Tester (Edifecs)
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as a Software Testing Principal, where you'll develop and execute comprehensive test plans, ensuring high-quality software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to dri...
1 week ago
Associate Systems Engineer, Data Management
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining data management solutions. Leverage your expertise in cloud platforms and analytics to support sales teams, drive customer success, and implement innovative data solution...
3 days ago
Senior Virtualization & Orchestration Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Transform infrastructure by designing and building scalable GPU systems for AI cloud platforms, focusing on virtualization, Kubernetes, and automation to enhance performance and reliability across mul...
2 weeks ago
Senior Automation Engineer - Ansible/ARIA
$86K - $138K *
Drive automation excellence by developing end-to-end solutions using Ansible and scripting languages. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance wi...
Yesterday
Chief Architect, Product Engineering
$160K - $200K *
Elevate the technical architecture vision and execution across a product portfolio, driving the transition to a scalable, cloud-native SaaS environment while integrating AI, data, and security. Collab...
2 weeks ago
Principal Software Engineer (Remote)
$176K - $220K *
Drive impactful platform engineering initiatives, leveraging deep expertise to architect scalable solutions and guide clients through complex technical landscapes while fostering collaboration and inn...
Today
$135K - $160K *
Transform the future of cloud infrastructure by automating and optimizing systems for reliability, performance, and scalability, collaborating with engineering teams to embed best practices and foster...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $152K *
Advance your career by leading mainframe capacity planning initiatives, optimizing performance, and driving automation solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency and mentor ju...
Today
Software Engineering Manager - Foundry
$180K - $220K *
Empower a globally distributed team to build and enhance an in-house ERP application, ensuring alignment across engineering, operations, and delivery while fostering a culture of collaboration, accoun...
Today
Senior Architect, Professional Services
$170K - $220K *
Shape the future of customer solutions by leading implementations and driving adoption of innovative technologies. Collaborate with teams to deliver tailored architectural designs that meet strategic...
3 days ago
Software Engineering, Team Manager
$165K - $175K *
Empower engineering teams to enhance assessment services through leadership, technical expertise, and responsible AI adoption. Drive team performance and customer outcomes across diverse product areas...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager - 100% Remote
$110K - $130K *
Transform complex enterprise technology programs by leading cloud, data, and analytics initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver best-in-class project outcomes using Agile method...
3 weeks ago
Computer Systems Engineer/ Architect
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by designing and optimizing enterprise data solutions in a Databricks Lakehouse environment, supporting critical missions with a focus on scalability and best practices...
Reposted 3 days ago
$280K - $330K *
Empower a dynamic engineering team by leading technical architecture, enhancing system reliability, and driving scalable solutions that support rapid growth in a fast-paced fintech environment. Foster...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Provider Ecosystem
$150K - $180K *
Grow a dynamic team driving OpenRouter’s provider ecosystem, managing innovations across diverse models and endpoints, ensuring quality and efficiency in inference services for millions of requests da...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Make your mark at the forefront of cloud engineering, transforming infrastructure through automation, optimizing performance, and enhancing observability for large-scale distributed systems...
4 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineering Lead, NA
$175K - $190K *
Explore strategic leadership in mechanical engineering, guiding a team of experts to innovate and deliver top-tier data center solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to shape engineering standards...
3 days ago
Senior Business Systems Architect
$167K - $183K *
Lead the charge in optimizing G&A technology solutions, enhancing business processes through AI and automation. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive efficiency and compliance, ensuring scalable grow...
2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Physical Wiring Designer 1 - Nuclear Power
$77K - $118K *
Elevate your drafting career by collaborating in a dynamic team, utilizing advanced CAD tools, and gaining hands-on experience in 3D design. Contribute to innovative projects that shape the future of...
6 days 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.