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.
$135K - $160K *
Transform AI agent systems by owning technical decisions and delivery from design to production. Collaborate with stakeholders, develop workflows, and ensure reliability while mentoring engineers and...
3 weeks ago
Field Application Engineer - Data Center Solutions
$96K - $205K *
Empower the Data Center Solutions team by providing expert technical support, evaluating customer needs, and leading strategic projects across the Central US and Latin America, ensuring optimal produc...
Yesterday
Senior Software Security Engineer
$130K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to build and enhance security practices, ensuring robust protection of sensitive data. Collaborate across engineering to create secure frameworks, manage identities, and fortify cl...
1 week ago
Principal, Data Center Supply Chain Lead
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of datacenter procurement by driving strategies for critical infrastructure, leading negotiations, and partnering cross-functionally to ensure seamless project execution and cost-effe...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager (Intuitial)
$158K *
Lead the charge in delivering impactful solutions for Veterans by managing a cross-functional agile team, driving product direction, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders to enhance...
Today
Staff Engineer - Connectors Power BU
$120K - $145K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of power connector innovation, leading product development initiatives while driving cross-functional collaboration and mentoring engineering talent to deliver hig...
3 days ago
$88K - $120K *
Join a team that's redefining energy solutions through leadership in commissioning. Lead complex projects, mentor talent, and ensure seamless integration across systems while engaging directly with cl...
1 month ago
Principal Field Service Technical Training Specialist
$109K - $164K *
Drive impactful technical training for field service engineers and biomedical teams, focusing on complex medical technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance learning experiences a...
2 weeks ago
Senior Observability Engineer (New Relic Consolidation)
$130K - $155K *
Optimize the multi-tenant New Relic consolidation layer, aggregating telemetry across AI agent estates. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance observability practices and ensure effective monit...
1 week ago
Senior People Business Partner, Engineering
$115K - $194K *
Unlock your potential as a strategic partner to senior Engineering leaders, driving organizational change and fostering a high-performance culture across global teams in a fast-paced tech environment...
6 days ago
Lead Azure DevOps Engineer- Azure Networking
$130K - $155K *
Unlock potential by leading Azure DevOps initiatives, optimizing cloud infrastructure, and ensuring security compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, efficient Azure ne...
1 week ago
Lead Software Engineer, Applied AI (Frontend Leading)
$135K - $160K *
Engineer innovative GenAI applications with a focus on creating responsive, accessible frontend solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences through performant UI des...
1 month ago
Lead Software Engineer, Applied AI (Frontend Leading)
$135K - $160K *
Join us to design and implement innovative GenAI applications, focusing on creating intuitive, high-performance frontend interfaces. Collaborate cross-functionally to redefine AI user experiences whil...
1 month ago
Lead Software Engineer, Applied AI (Frontend Leading)
$135K - $160K *
Lead innovative applications by designing user-friendly web interfaces and integrating cutting-edge GenAI features. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver secure, accessible, and performance-optimiz...
1 month ago
Lead Site Reliability Engineer
$112K - $179K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead efforts in reliability and disaster recovery for critical cloud-based platforms. Utilize your automation skills and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance s...
3 weeks ago
$133K - $200K *
Innovate your career by leveraging technical expertise to drive sales success. Collaborate with teams to deliver F5 solutions, ensuring customer satisfaction while achieving sales targets in a dynamic...
5 days ago
$163K - $245K *
Support the sales team by providing technical expertise and solutions for F5 products. Engage with customers to understand their needs, drive sales processes, and deliver world-class service while ach...
5 days ago
$133K - $200K *
Inspire technical excellence by supporting sales teams with F5 solutions, driving customer engagement, and delivering tailored presentations. Collaborate with internal resources to achieve sales targe...
5 days ago
Member of Technical Staff, Forward Deployed Engineer (New Stealth Startup)
$150K - $300K *
Transform enterprise operations by developing AI solutions tailored to customer needs. Engage directly with clients, manage the full technical lifecycle, and drive measurable improvements in AI perfor...
Today
Senior Lead Cloud Architect / Delivery Lead
$112K - $179K *
Pioneer innovative cloud architecture solutions, leading modernization initiatives by integrating legacy systems into scalable environments while ensuring compliance and performance excellence across...
3 weeks ago
$112K - $150K *
Optimize customer interactions by providing top-tier technical support and training, managing complex installations, and leading sales efforts. Collaborate across departments to enhance product perfor...
Reposted 3 days ago
$120K - $150K *
Accelerate progress at a large-scale automation project as the executive leader driving end-to-end delivery, ensuring scope, schedule, and quality align with customer expectations and business objecti...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Cloud Platform Engineering
$141K - $185K *
Join a dynamic team shaping cloud infrastructure for enterprise applications, utilizing your deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud orchestration, and API development to drive innovative solutio...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional service as a Field Service Engineer. Leverage your expertise in PET/NUC/CT modalities to troubleshoot, repair, and enhance customer satisfaction...
3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead advanced troubleshooting and repair of medical equipment, ensuring customer satisfaction through service excellence. Collaborate with teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive initiatives to enha...
1 week 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.