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.
Senior z/OS Systems Programmer
$90K - $144K *
Join our team to manage z/OS systems, ensuring efficient installation and maintenance while delivering critical support to government clients. This role demands strong technical expertise and the abil...
3 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Drive innovation by designing and developing scalable backend services, collaborating closely with engineering teams to enhance platform performance and reliability while mentoring junior developers a...
1 week ago
$115K - $202K *
Transform the enterprise landscape by guiding technology strategies that align business goals with IT capabilities, ensuring efficient operational performance and supporting growth through best practi...
Reposted 1 week ago
Director of Engineering- Integrated Sensor Team
$150K - $180K *
Drive engineering excellence by leading a multidisciplinary team to design, develop, and scale integrated hardware and software systems, ensuring reliability, quality, and operational effectiveness in...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$145K - $175K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Data Architect, leading innovative data modeling and integration initiatives. Collaborate with AI Engineers to design scalable datasets and optimize data governance acr...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining data architecture by leading innovative modeling and integration initiatives. Collaborate with AI Engineers to create scalable datasets and optimize performance in a mult...
1 week ago
Senior Principal Technical Program Manager
$195K - $307K *
Take ownership of critical technical programs, transforming strategic business objectives into actionable systems solutions while leading cross-functional teams to optimize and enhance platform perfor...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Advance the future of energy by conducting power system modeling and analysis for transmission planning, ensuring compliance with NERC standards and supporting renewable resource integration through d...
1 week ago
Senior Solutions Engineer, Acquisition
$200K - $250K *
Engage with clients as a trusted advisor, driving technical sales and solution design in cybersecurity. Collaborate with teams to translate complex challenges into impactful solutions, ensuring alignm...
2 weeks ago
Systems Engineer - Sales Northeast Region
$95K - $115K *
Shape mission-critical communication solutions and drive successful outcomes by developing competitive system designs and ensuring technical feasibility throughout the proposal and implementation phas...
1 month ago
Senior Director, Engineering, Precision Defense
$270K - $365K *
Lead a dynamic engineering organization to transform offensive capabilities into proactive defense. Shape strategy, scale teams, and deliver innovative solutions across multiple pillars, ensuring robu...
Today
INGENYX - Quality Systems and Digital Engineer
$87K - $109K *
Empower the future of Quality Management Systems by leading digital transformation and validation efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance compliance and efficiency in Quality proce...
2 days ago
$115K - $175K *
Join a strategic team as you oversee complex web projects, drive digital initiatives, and promote best practices, all while collaborating across functions. Make a real-world impact while shaping the f...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to design innovative HVAC systems for data centers, ensuring efficiency and reliability. Collaborate globally on high-profile projects while enjoying remote flexibility and opportu...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative HVAC designs for data centers. Collaborate globally on high-impact projects, ensuring energy efficiency and system reliability while advancing your career in a d...
2 weeks ago
Director, Global Value Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Champion the evolution of Business Value Engineering by leading a global team, optimizing practices, and driving strategic initiatives across sales and customer engagement to enhance operational succe...
2 days ago
Principal Product Manager, Compute Platform - Cloud Infrastructure
$500K+*
Pioneer the evolution of Netflix's Compute Platform, driving innovation in distributed systems and AI integration. Lead product strategy, enhance efficiency, and collaborate across teams to ensure rob...
2 weeks ago
Lead Data Integration Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Transform data solutions by architecting enterprise-grade pipelines, leading a high-performing team, and embedding best practices to create scalable, robust data environments for analysis and insights...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer Materials Modeling (Remote)
$107K - $204K *
Unlock potential by leading the development of advanced materials modeling tools for gas turbine engines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing processes and drive innovatio...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Lead the development of advanced simulation capabilities to validate technology and services, ensuring alignment with internal teams and managing customer requests while integrating external tools for...
2 weeks ago
$166K - $187K *
Champion program operations by overseeing business development, quality, logistics, and financial performance. Collaborate with clients and manage resources to enhance efficiency and drive new busines...
Today
$154K - $260K *
Transform edge AI solutions by leading a talented engineering team. Drive the strategy for embedded systems and machine learning, ensuring impactful deployment of intelligent safety features for real...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Technical Services Engineer - Federal
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to providing exceptional post-sales technical support for federal clients. You'll troubleshoot complex systems, collaborate with engineering teams, and ensure seamless ope...
2 days ago
Building Systems Project Manager (Remote)
$100K - $120K *
Transform project delivery by managing multiple building systems initiatives, ensuring that projects align with company standards, budget constraints, and critical timelines. Serve as a key liaison am...
3 weeks ago
Senior Security Advisor - Lead Control Assessor
$110K - $150K *
Seeking an experienced cybersecurity professional to lead control assessments, ensuring consistent application of methodologies and quality oversight across multiple clients while mentoring assessors...
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.