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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$150K - $200K *

Engage in hands-on security initiatives across the platform, collaborating with engineering and product teams to identify vulnerabilities, develop security tools, and enhance secure development practi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $110K *

Champion the optimization of learning systems by managing Workday Learning, providing enterprise support, and leading technology projects. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance governance, complian...

Dallas, TXRemote

1 week ago

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

$104K - $155K *

Lead the charge in customer-focused project management, ensuring effective delivery of technical solutions while coordinating with diverse stakeholders and fostering strong relationships for successfu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading the development of protection and control systems. Utilize your expertise to analyze complex power system challenges, ensuring compliance and delivering innovative solut...

Nevada, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining the onboarding experience for human and AI agents by leading innovative UX and engineering teams. Drive growth through strategic roadmap ownership, hands-on leadership, a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in developing and supporting PLC control systems in critical infrastructure. Collaborate with experts to ensure reliable automation across diverse facility systems while meeting client...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading SoC integration efforts, optimizing designs, and ensuring quality checks. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes and deliver exceptional results while maintaining cust...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's transforming mission-critical operations by deploying and integrating advanced asset visibility solutions. Collaborate with DoD users to deliver tailored technical solutions that en...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$78K - $98K *

Shape the future of AEC workflows by leading product ownership and Agile delivery for an Engineering Tools team. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to prioritize needs, validate outcomes...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $300K *

Unlock potential by leading synthesis and timing closure for complex AI accelerator designs. Collaborate across teams to optimize implementations, ensuring high-quality netlists while driving innovati...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $150K *

Take ownership of the SAP Concur platform, ensuring efficient travel and expense processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system functionality, resolve issues, and support complia...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Champion the successful delivery of customer projects through all phases, ensuring alignment with business goals by coordinating teams and resources while managing risks and transacting key communicat...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$225K - $265K *

Unlock potential by leading a transformative data engineering team focused on building robust, high-performance data platforms. Drive innovation, foster a culture of learning, and ensure impactful out...

Nashville, TNRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Join us to transform enterprise OS infrastructure through modern practices, leveraging your Python expertise and operational skills to drive modernization, package migrations, and effective CI/CD impl...

California, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$203K - $366K *

Innovate and lead a high-performing software development team to deliver scalable enterprise Time and Pay solutions. Collaborate with HR and Finance to drive strategy and enhance operational efficienc...

Cambridge, MARemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team, driving innovation and product development while ensuring quality and efficiency in facility design and technical support for sales initiatives...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$126K - $215K *

Transform AI experiences by architecting LLM-based agents that integrate with real-world tools, orchestrate tasks, and scale in production. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation and ensure high...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Drive quality assurance initiatives by overseeing computer system validation processes, ensuring compliance with GxP regulations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance validation pr...

Kentucky, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$155K - $200K *

Engage as a Senior Backend Software Engineer, driving innovation in Go-based backend systems and contributing to the OpenTDF project, ensuring data security solutions for enterprise and federal client...

Washington, DCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $210K *

Unlock potential by leading engineering for a data-intensive network observability platform, partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on customer experience and business goals while...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $250K *

Transform customer experiences by leading technical sales solutions for wireless routers and managed services. Collaborate with partners and clients across diverse industries, ensuring optimal connect...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Optimize CI/CD pipelines and improve Azure infrastructure to enhance deployment and observability. Collaborate with teams, addressing performance issues while deploying critical products that elevate...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion a high-performing engineering team, guiding their growth while actively contributing to software development. Collaborate across functions to align goals and foster an inclusive culture, driv...

Columbus, OHRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $165K *

Unlock potential by leading hydro turbine design and engineering projects, optimizing asset performance, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enh...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$250K - $300K *

Accelerate progress at a forward-thinking company by leading a dynamic engineering team, fostering a culture of excellence while delivering innovative product features and driving technical growth. Co...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.