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.
Principal Technologist - Lenovo
$151K - $211K *
Architect transformative solutions by leading strategic pre-sales efforts, analyzing customer needs, and defining technical direction for enterprise infrastructure. Collaborate with teams to enhance g...
4 weeks ago
Senior Full Stack Software Engineer (Go, AWS, GCP)
$165K - $260K *
Drive the development of an intelligent content delivery network, optimizing web performance through cutting-edge infrastructure and AI. Collaborate with a lean team to transform complex problems into...
Reposted yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Elevate our software engineering capabilities by designing and building modern, cloud-native data pipelines. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure seamless project delivery and advocate for best pr...
1 week ago
$80K - $100K *
Champion the design and implementation of advanced communication systems, ensuring optimal functionality through troubleshooting and support. Collaborate across teams while managing extensive travel t...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $280K *
Shape engaging UI/UX solutions for supply chain intelligence platforms. Lead the development process while collaborating with AI engineers and mentoring junior developers to deliver high-quality, prod...
3 weeks ago
Senior Computer Systems Engineer/Architect - Informatica
$170K - $210K *
Join a team that's at the forefront of innovation as you shape solution architecture for Informatica in AWS GovCloud. Lead cross-platform designs, establish security measures, and ensure operational e...
4 weeks ago
Senior/Lead CA Gen Engineer - Mainframe Modernization (Remote)
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in transforming legacy systems by leveraging your CA Gen expertise to modernize applications and drive technical innovation within a collaborative engineering team...
3 weeks ago
Senior/Lead CA Gen Engineer - Mainframe Modernization (Remote)
$125K - $150K *
Transform legacy technology by leading modernization efforts, utilizing your deep expertise in CA Gen and COBOL. Collaborate within a dynamic team to design specifications that support the successful...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Transform complex challenges into scalable AI solutions by collaborating with enterprise clients, guiding projects from concept to deployment, and delivering impactful results across the entire custom...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Object Storage
$150K - $180K *
Lead a talented team in crafting a high-quality, scalable object storage product that enhances the developer experience, balancing technical execution with product thinking to drive meaningful improve...
Reposted today
$120K - $145K *
Transform cloud infrastructure for higher education products by designing, building, and operating AWS and Azure environments. Collaborate with teams to enhance reliability, automate processes, and me...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of customer deployments by collaborating with technical teams to solve complex infrastructure challenges, drive product improvements, and ensure operational success in large-scale env...
2 weeks ago
$155K - $165K *
Join a team that's redefining enterprise architecture to enhance logistics and installation management. Leverage your expertise to drive compliance and modernization initiatives while collaborating wi...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear Plant Analysis
$84K - $129K *
Elevate your career by applying your expertise in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to design and optimize nuclear power plant systems. Collaborate with clients and mentor junior engineers while driv...
2 weeks ago
Principal Platform Operations Data Ontology
$120K - $145K *
Transform the future of military data management by leading ontology development within enterprise data solutions, ensuring interoperability and semantic accuracy for enhanced decision-making capabili...
3 weeks ago
Principal Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Champion robust Design-for-Test methodologies to enhance ASIC and SoC production quality. Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless integration and drive manufacturing test readiness for high-volume...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Elevate incident response capabilities by developing dashboards and alerts, optimizing cloud performance, and ensuring security compliance. Collaborate with product teams to enhance IAM needs while dr...
Yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Engage in identifying and delivering industrial energy efficiency solutions across North America. Collaborate with teams to assess systems, develop technical solutions, and support projects from incep...
1 week ago
$157K - $238K *
Join a team that's redefining security by leveraging AI to enhance application safety. You'll assess vulnerabilities, develop innovative security solutions, and shape the AI security strategy across t...
3 weeks ago
$157K - $238K *
Lead the charge in enhancing application security by integrating AI-driven solutions, conducting assessments, and shaping the AI security strategy across the organization. Collaborate with cross-funct...
3 weeks ago
Deployed Field Service Representative (FSR)
$69K - $125K *
Support and maintain airborne ISR systems through onsite and remote troubleshooting, ensuring mission readiness and compliance with safety and quality standards. Collaborate with teams to enhance oper...
1 week ago
$161K - $299K *
Drive impactful change by managing 1LMX product solutions across the enterprise. Collaborate with stakeholders to align transformation capabilities with business needs, ensuring successful deployment...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Content Engineer
$115K - $135K *
Engage with engineers and executives to create compelling technical content that showcases innovative CAD solutions. Deliver presentations, demos, and tutorials that highlight product features and the...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Drive innovation as a strategic Sr. Cloud Architect, transforming legacy systems into scalable, cost-optimized cloud-native architectures while ensuring efficient deployments and dynamic data producti...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Subcontracts Administrator
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing and administering subcontracts and task orders. Ensure compliance with standards and regulations while negotiating terms and monitoring performance. Collaborate with teams...
Reposted 3 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.