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.

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$82K - $137K *

Empower your career by leading QA processes for Oracle SCM applications. Oversee complex implementations, mentor your team, and enhance testing strategies in a dynamic supply chain environment. Drive...

Delaware, USRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$163K - $316K *

Engage in defining and owning business architecture, translating strategy into action. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance organizational efficiency through innovative capability models and AI in...

Salt Lake City, UTRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$116K - $194K *

Engineer cloud-based data platforms that drive AI insights for applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable, scalable, and high-quality data management, leading design disc...

San Diego, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$131K - $180K *

Lead transformative software engineering initiatives, guiding teams to develop robust, full-stack systems that enhance digital safety research and foster collaboration across projects while mentoring...

Washington, DCRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$161K - $299K *

Optimize critical materials supply chains by collaborating across teams to identify risks, develop new sources, and enhance resilience. Drive initiatives to improve supplier capabilities and mitigate...

Grand Prairie, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$173K - $303K *

Unlock potential by leading the implementation of ServiceNow's Security and Risk solutions. Collaborate with customers and partners to drive business outcomes, provide architectural guidance, and ment...

San Diego, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $153K *

Lead the enhancement and administration of enterprise endpoint security technologies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize security processes and improve detection capabilities in a g...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $165K *

Shape your career by leading the onboarding and management of engineering tools, ensuring effective integration and sustainability across teams in a dynamic startup environment, fostering innovation a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $145K *

Empower a transformative team as you enhance employer benefits through elegant full stack engineering, delivering scalable, secure systems for seamless financial interactions across diverse platforms...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion enablement initiatives across Technical and Sales domains, partnering with experts to define and execute programs. Lead content development, delivery, and continuous improvement efforts to en...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Unlock the potential of global quoting processes by owning the end-to-end CPQ workflow. Drive innovation and efficiency through Salesforce integrations, leading implementation projects while enhancing...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the design and development of complex software systems, ensuring architectural consistency and best practices. Collaborate with teams to deliver scalable solutions while mentoring engineers and d...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$174K - $224K *

Empower organizations by shaping data governance strategies that enhance security, compliance, and operational resilience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful governance solut...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$117K - $161K *

Drive enterprise Identity Security solutions in a complex healthcare environment, focusing on secure identity lifecycle management, authentication, and compliance while integrating clinical applicatio...

Kentucky, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Engage with clients by providing technical support, conducting presentations, and assisting in sales activities. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure product alignment with customer needs while ma...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by driving strategic growth within enterprise accounts. Lead cross-functional teams to manage client relationships, develop account strategies, and identify new opportunities, ensurin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Empower a high-performing engineering team to build and deliver innovative software solutions. Lead architecture decisions, ensure code quality, and enhance production health while cultivating team gr...

Sacramento, CARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$12K - $150K *

Lead the charge in building and securing AWS infrastructures, driving operational excellence across scalable architectures. Enhance systems reliability and governance while mentoring teams and fosteri...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $216K *

Join a team that's driving growth initiatives for the US Air Force. You'll develop strategies, manage relationships, and support pipeline development to enhance business opportunities and position the...

Mc Lean, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Elevate your career by driving the design and deployment of AVEVA MES projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality solutions, mentor junior engineers, and enhance user adoption...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $224K *

Help us transform investment technologies by architecting solutions across full stacks in agile teams. Drive innovation and mentor engineers while ensuring compliance in a dynamic, regulated environme...

Missouri, USRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$88K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI-native software development. Drive engineering excellence by orchestrating autonomous agents and maintaining high-quality standards in a FedRAMP-authorized e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in program management excellence, ensuring seamless operations and compliance across diverse teams while supporting critical Air Force contract initiatives and rapid-response readiness...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$88K - $105K *

Unlock potential by designing and implementing PLC/HMI control systems for diverse manufacturing processes. Collaborate with clients and lead projects while mentoring junior engineers to deliver innov...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Drive your career with us as you craft compelling technical proposals for aerospace projects. Collaborate with experts to deliver innovative solutions and elevate your writing skills in a dynamic, mis...

Pittsburgh, PARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.