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.
Manager/Senior Manager, Autonomous Enterprise Consulting
$135K - $160K *
Lead transformative AI consulting engagements, driving business value through innovative strategies and solutions. Collaborate with clients to assess processes, develop roadmaps, and implement AI tech...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in transforming unstructured homebuilding plans into actionable data, collaborating closely with teams to develop and deploy innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency an...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$149K - $256K *
Lead the technical strategy for complex global opportunities, collaborating with sales teams to develop tailored solutions. Drive technical discovery, architecture design, and customer engagement to e...
Today
$85K - $115K *
Empower IT operations by building and managing internal systems, ensuring productivity and security. As the first hire, you'll shape the IT function, streamline processes, and support the team while c...
1 week ago
Senior CI Engineer Transportation
$90K - $105K *
Unlock potential by driving continuous improvement initiatives across operations. Leverage data analytics and engineering methodologies to enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost, while collaborat...
4 days ago
Frontend Engineer - Top Secret
$103K - $181K *
Join a dynamic team to shape innovative frontend solutions for critical defense applications. Leverage your expertise in React and TypeScript to create intuitive user interfaces that enhance decision...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of AI engineering by leading technical outcomes, architecting production systems, and mentoring teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive innovation and ensure operational excelle...
3 days ago
$104K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to lead critical BAS projects, ensuring seamless integration of automation systems and smart building solutions while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to meet project goals...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior AI Engineer with Microsoft Azure
$135K - $160K *
Join us to transform AI prototypes into resilient production systems using Microsoft Azure. Collaborate directly with teams to build and refine agentic systems, ensuring quality and security while dri...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Elevate engineering success by partnering with leadership to drive strategic execution, fostering alignment across teams, and leveraging data-driven insights for impactful decision-making in a dynamic...
4 weeks ago
Senior Connector Development Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of interconnect technology by leading the design and development of innovative connector solutions, ensuring top performance and reliability for clients worldwide...
Reposted 1 week ago
$153K - $234K *
Shape the future of autonomous systems by leading the integration of multi-modality sensors, ensuring robust performance and alignment with product goals. Collaborate across teams to tackle engineerin...
2 weeks ago
$146K - $271K *
Elevate your career by serving as a vital technical advisor to enterprise clients. Execute technical strategies, drive complex sales cycles, and deliver tailored solutions, ensuring successful outcome...
4 weeks ago
Senior AI Engineer with RAG and Agentic architectures
$150K - $180K *
Champion the development of LLM-powered applications and agentic systems. Drive complex use cases from ambiguous problems to production, ensuring high-quality and scalable AI solutions that address us...
3 weeks ago
Forward Deployed Engineer | Remote | Texas
$120K - $145K *
Champion innovative AI solutions by integrating and deploying cutting-edge applications. Collaborate with teams to enhance customer experiences and drive value through advanced technology in a dynamic...
Reposted today
$102K - $138K *
Elevate product strategy and delivery in a scaled Agile framework, ensuring business value through effective collaboration, backlog management, and strategic execution across Agile Release Trains for...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer II - Agentic SDLC
$170K - $185K *
Champion innovative software solutions by leading complex projects, mentoring engineers, and driving technical excellence across teams. Collaborate on strategic initiatives to enhance reliability and...
Today
(Sr) Project Manager, Non-Interventional Trials Team
$110K - $130K *
Join our team to manage full-service clinical trials, ensuring project delivery meets quality, time, and cost expectations while serving as the primary contact between sponsors and the organization...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Research Solutions Engineering
$82K - $87K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing research through technology. Lead and mentor a talented group of professionals in delivering high-performance computing solutions that support innovative rese...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Java | Mainline
$160K - $200K *
Join a team that's enhancing IT Operations by designing scalable software solutions. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll lead development efforts, mentor peers, and ensure high-quality software that...
2 days ago
$63K - $129K *
Contribute to system quality by executing test cases, analyzing requirements, and validating functionality to ensure compliance and stability in a fast-paced environment. Collaborate with teams to enh...
Reposted 1 week ago
Capital Project Engineer - CommissioningCC&S -Pulp/Paper industry - Remote w/travel
$137K - $183K *
Empower your career by leading capital projects in commissioning. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure successful startup and adherence to safety standards while traveling extensively to drive pro...
6 days ago
Capital Project Engineer - CommissioningCC&S -Pulp/Paper industry - Remote w/travel
$137K - $183K *
Lead the commissioning process for capital projects in the pulp and paper industry. Collaborate with diverse teams, oversee testing procedures, and ensure safety compliance while traveling extensively...
1 week ago
Technical Program Manager, Digital Test $ Evaluation
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading Digital Test & Evaluation initiatives that integrate modern software solutions into defense workflows, enhancing efficiency and data-driven decision-making across the T&E l...
3 weeks ago
Senior Platform Engineer (FedD202)
$148K - $201K *
Empower application teams by integrating, securing, and deploying software in Kubernetes environments. Collaborate across platforms to enhance CI/CD processes and ensure reliable operations, driving i...
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.