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.
$101K - $188K *
Unlock potential by driving advancements in AI and machine learning for autonomous systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, optimize, and prototype cutting-edge algorithms that enh...
2 days ago
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
$146K - $234K *
Lead innovative research in autonomous systems, shaping solutions for AI challenges. Collaborate with diverse teams, define research programs, and engage with customers to deliver cutting-edge technol...
3 weeks ago
$84K - $124K *
Analyze and enhance Microsoft 365 productivity tools while providing user support, developing solutions with Power Platform, and collaborating with diverse teams to ensure secure and efficient operati...
Reposted yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of cybersecurity by designing, deploying, and supporting security technologies. Collaborate with clients to enhance their security posture while aligning with busi...
2 weeks ago
Senior Systems Engineer -- Agentic AI
$224K - $431K *
Architect scalable systems for agentic AI, tackling challenges in runtimes and large-scale execution to deliver production-quality solutions. Collaborate across teams for optimal performance and resou...
Reposted 4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Engineer secure, scalable cloud platforms and automate workflows. Lead migrations, implement observability, and mentor junior engineers while driving cloud-native adoption in a collaborative environme...
2 days ago
$120K - $150K *
Unlock potential by leading system testing efforts for critical USAF missions. Collaborate on process improvements, develop test documents, and execute various testing types to ensure system operabili...
1 week ago
Solutions Engineer - Cloud & DevOps
$90K - $145K *
Unlock your potential by designing CI/CD pipelines and automating processes. Collaborate with teams to enhance development efficiency while ensuring system compliance and security across AWS and Azure...
1 week ago
Software Quality Assurance Engineer - DO178
$90K - $110K *
Unlock your potential as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer, ensuring compliance with DO-178 and DO-254 standards. Collaborate with engineers and certification authorities to enhance software quali...
1 week ago
Sr. Security Engineer - Federal Customer
$120K - $145K *
Join us to design and secure next-gen infrastructure while ensuring compliance. Collaborate with a diverse team, automate security practices, and mitigate risks through innovative solutions to uphold...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Substation Engineer 2 - Grid
$100K - $152K *
Accelerate your career by leading high voltage substation projects, collaborating with engineers to solve complex electrical issues, and enhancing your skills through peer learning and client interact...
Reposted 1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the design and implementation of robust security measures to protect sensitive health information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulations while collaborating with cross-functional t...
3 weeks ago
$126K - $160K *
Drive impactful software solutions by collaborating with sales teams, leading demos, and managing technical inquiries. Leverage your expertise to enhance customer experiences and support enterprise tr...
Today
Project Delivery Manager - Engines & Power Generation
$95K - $143K *
Lead logistics and inventory management ensuring timely delivery of materials. Collaborate with teams for optimal material readiness and quality standards while enhancing supply chain processes and ex...
3 weeks ago
Project Delivery Manager - Engines & Power Generation
$95K - $143K *
Optimize logistics and inventory management processes to ensure timely delivery of materials and components for successful project execution, fostering collaboration across teams and maintaining high...
3 weeks ago
$200K - $215K *
Advance the cloud platform capabilities, ensuring secure, reliable, and scalable product delivery while enhancing developer experience and shaping reliability practices in a mission-driven healthcare...
3 weeks ago
Senior Platform Engineer -AI / Platform Lead
$135K - $160K *
Transform your career by leading platform engineering initiatives that enhance developer experience and operational excellence. Drive technical ownership across the software lifecycle, shaping the pla...
1 week ago
Senior ML Systems Engineer, Inference
$150K - $220K *
Transform LLM inference efficiency by leading the performance measurement, diagnosis, and enhancement efforts to optimize customer experience through cost-effective and speedy solutions in a hands-on...
3 weeks ago
Senior Design Quality Engineer
$142K - $161K *
Join us to ensure the highest quality standards for our FDA-cleared AI clinical platform. Collaborate across teams to drive software design quality, manage regulatory compliance, and enhance post-mark...
3 weeks ago
$190K - $220K *
Partner with us to tackle complex engineering challenges, leveraging deep expertise in TypeScript, Postgres, and AWS. Collaborate closely with our VP of Engineering to innovate and deliver impactful p...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Microsoft Software Engineer - Remote
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of endpoint management by crafting secure, high-performance software solutions in C# and .NET. Collaborate on architectural design and drive the delivery of innovative product capabil...
3 weeks ago
$159K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions for complex payment systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize code, mentor junior engineers, and ensure high-quality prod...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by architecting and building intelligent workflows to integrate models and enterprise data into scalable, production-ready solutions that ensure compliance...
3 weeks ago
Remote Aviation Design Manager
$110K - $130K *
Optimize design processes and lead a team of Design Leads to ensure high-quality project deliverables. Collaborate with project managers to balance resources, enforce design standards, and drive conti...
1 week ago
$88K - $154K *
Join a dynamic team as a Document Control Supervisor, overseeing document management for construction and engineering projects. Drive process improvements, ensure compliance, and support project teams...
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.