Principal Systems Engineer Jobs

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.

What Does a Principal Systems Engineer Do?

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.

Common Responsibilities

  • Set system architecture, technical direction, and engineering standards.
  • Convert stakeholder needs into verifiable requirements and design specifications.
  • Coordinate interfaces and integration across hardware, software, networks, and operations.
  • Evaluate system performance, reliability, security, scalability, and safety.
  • Lead technical reviews, resolve complex engineering issues, and manage risk.
  • Mentor engineers and collaborate with product, program, and leadership teams.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Salary and Career Outlook

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.

Find Principal Systems Engineer Jobs on Ladders

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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$120K - $145K *

Accelerate your career by designing and optimizing secure, scalable cloud infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and ensure high availability for glo...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$120K - $193K *

Join a team that's redefining software engineering excellence by leading high-performing teams in building and modernizing enterprise applications. Drive technical strategy, foster innovation, and ens...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$115K - $150K *

Shape the future of healthcare connectivity by leading product strategy and delivery for advanced imaging solutions. Leverage your expertise in DICOM, FHIR, and cloud technologies to drive innovation...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $170K *

Transform your career by leading mechanical design projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and mentoring junior staff while ensuring compliance with industry standards and delivering high...

Sacramento, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$160K - $190K *

Deliver strategic assessments and solutions for federal information systems, ensuring compliance with NIST RMF and related standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify security gaps and provid...

Virginia, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining enterprise asset management by architecting innovative solutions on the IBM Maximo platform. Leverage your expertise to enhance facility maintenance operations and drive...

Fort Campbell, KYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $197K *

Lead the charge in managing strategic client relationships and projects, leveraging your extensive cost management expertise in the data centre sector. Empower teams through mentorship while driving b...

Birmingham, ALRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$140K - $200K *

Join a team that drives mission success in aerospace program management, overseeing the entire payload lifecycle from planning to execution. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and governm...

Reston, VARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in providing expert environmental consulting solutions for industrial clients across the U.S., focusing on permitting, compliance, and risk-reduction while nurturing client relationshi...

Texas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$106K - $150K *

Unlock potential by providing expert operational support for Windows environments. Manage complex incidents, ensure service availability, and collaborate across teams to enhance customer experiences i...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$92K - $166K *

Transform supply chain efficiency by managing purchase orders, resolving delays, and driving supplier accountability. Collaborate with teams to mitigate risks and ensure timely delivery, contributing...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$135K - $160K *

Drive the development of advanced machine learning systems for autonomous trucks, leading a team in perception capabilities. Oversee the complete lifecycle from data requirements to deployment, ensuri...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Transform your career by leading proposal strategies and managing a dynamic team. Drive compliance and quality in project proposals while collaborating with stakeholders to ensure timely and effective...

Vancouver, WARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Transform the infrastructure for a groundbreaking healthcare platform by optimizing cloud solutions, implementing CI/CD, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance clinical AI/ML offerin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$123K - $166K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing cloud platform reliability and security. As a Platform Engineer, you'll leverage your expertise in Kubernetes and CI/CD to build and maintain robust infrastru...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Unlock your potential as a Technical Project Manager, driving software delivery timelines and ensuring seamless project execution with engineering and product teams. Foster strong stakeholder relation...

Toronto, ONRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$118K - $180K *

Lead the charge in advanced piping engineering, providing technical direction and oversight for complex projects. Ensure compliance with industry codes while delivering high-quality solutions and fost...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$115K *

Take ownership of innovative cloud security solutions by engineering autonomous AI tools that meet complex requirements, ensuring robust security and efficiency in high-velocity environments. Drive pr...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $108K *

Drive successful project execution by managing customer projects from quotation to completion. Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to ensure timely delivery, quality standards, and customer satisf...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$130K - $180K *

Empower customer engagement by leading the design and deployment of innovative contact center solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to create scalable, AI-driven workflows that enhance operational...

North Carolina, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's redefining operational efficiency through AI and automation. As a Senior AI & Automation Engineer, you'll develop intelligent solutions that enhance workflows and drive measurable i...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$112K - $135K *

Elevate your career by driving delivery across mobile platform teams, ensuring alignment and timely releases. Collaborate with engineering leads to enhance app architecture and improve CI/CD processes...

Texas, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$186K - $267K *

Take ownership of technical leadership within a dynamic engineering team, enhancing software solutions for workload security. Focus on scalability, performance, security, and reliability in complex en...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$170K - $200K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of Azure solutions, leading medium-scale client engagements and complex projects. Drive technical leadership, solution architecture, and mentoring while collaborat...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, collaborating with a seasoned team to tackle complex challenges. Drive product development in a fully remote environment, focusing on user n...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Principal Systems Engineer do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    Experienced professionals may advance into distinguished engineering or chief architect positions, lead larger technical organizations, or move into engineering management and technical executive roles.