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.
Technical Product Manager (Remote)
$145K - $160K *
Accelerate product development by managing the software lifecycle, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving strategic initiatives to enhance user experience and meet stakeholder needs...
Yesterday
Technical Product Manager (Remote)
$175K - $190K *
Lead the charge in managing the software development lifecycle for innovative products, leveraging low-code platforms to enhance user experience and drive strategic initiatives across cross-functional...
Yesterday
Staff Software Engineer, Infrastructure
$230K - $275K *
Join a team that's committed to enhancing cloud reliability through innovative software and infrastructure solutions. Impact lives by maintaining scalable and secure systems supporting thousands of dr...
4 weeks ago
Data Center Mechanical Technical Program Manager
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate your career by leading mechanical system upgrades in data centers. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive project success, manage risks, and optimize processes while ensuring alignment wit...
2 weeks ago
Senior Fullstack Engineer, Core Products
$124K - $134K *
Innovate and optimize our core fintech systems, leveraging AI-driven technologies while owning end-to-end product development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure impactful user experien...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Champion modernization initiatives by designing and overseeing transformation solutions, integrating cutting-edge GenAI technology, and ensuring alignment with business objectives to drive impactful m...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Project Manager, Imaging Installations
$80K - $95K *
Transform your career with a dynamic role managing large-scale imaging equipment installations. You will lead projects, ensure customer satisfaction, and drive cross-functional collaboration while mee...
4 weeks ago
Senior Substation Protection & Controls Engineer - REMOTE WORK
$97K - $192K *
Deliver expert engineering solutions for high voltage substation projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with teams to design and execute projects up to 500 kV, while mentor...
4 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion security excellence by leading initiatives to enhance IT solutions, ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of information assets while driving secure business growth throug...
1 week ago
$120K - $140K *
Play a key role in leading complex analytical projects, driving Federal transformation engagements, and delivering client-ready solutions while collaborating with stakeholders across various disciplin...
2 weeks ago
Renewable Senior Performance Engineer
$118K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to analyze solar PV energy yield assessments for utility-scale projects. Lead performance modeling and mentor engineers while expanding expertise across various renewable energy te...
2 weeks ago
Senior Implementation Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive enterprise solution implementations by leading requirements analysis, designing scalable architectures, and delivering innovative solutions. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality and manage c...
2 days ago
$185K - $225K *
Launch innovative full-stack solutions, owning features from backend to UI. Collaborate with a remote team to enhance agent workflows and ensure secure, reliable experiences in a regulated financial e...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Engineer innovative GN&C solutions for lunar missions, providing technical leadership and driving system performance from design to flight operations, while collaborating across multidisciplinary team...
3 weeks ago
Senior Cloud Operations Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Transform your career by owning AWS cloud operations, enhancing reliability, performance, and cost efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless service delivery and operation...
2 days ago
Senior Professional Services Project Manager
$143K - $205K *
Engage in high-impact enterprise deployments, leading customer projects from kickoff to closure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of the Zero Trust Exchange platf...
4 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead the design and development of our enterprise data platform, driving initiatives for data ingestion, storage, and transformation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data governance...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Innovate your career by designing and developing safety-critical firmware for vehicle control systems. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance performance and ensure compliance with forma...
3 weeks ago
Solutions Engineer-Hyperscale and AI Infrastructure
$209K - $275K *
Transform your career by leading technical engagements with AI platform customers. Drive innovative solutions in a dynamic environment, leveraging your expertise in data center networking and AI techn...
4 days ago
$147K - $190K *
Lead the charge in defining and guiding enterprise architecture across product systems and business applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate strategy into actionable designs...
1 week ago
Principal Account Manager - Navy and Marine Corps Aviation
$140K - $180K *
Elevate your career by leading strategic customer engagements in the Naval Aviation sector. Drive business growth and operational excellence while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet cus...
Today
$170K - $250K *
Lead the charge in building high-throughput systems as you manage a team of engineers. Drive technical excellence and team growth while collaborating across functions to deliver innovative solutions i...
Yesterday
$100K - $195K *
Take ownership of designing automated systems and robotic equipment for remote operations in radiological environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective integration and perf...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineering Manager
$150K - $180K *
Engage in leading a diverse technical team to drive innovative engineering solutions, ensuring alignment with business objectives while fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and t...
4 days ago
$104K - $166K *
Drive the design and maintenance of AWS cloud infrastructure, ensuring performance and scalability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize analytics solutions and automate processes for o...
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.