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

$95K - $115K *

Drive procurement excellence by analyzing data, managing suppliers, and optimizing sourcing strategies to enhance cost, quality, and delivery in a dynamic environment...

Merrimack, NHRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Develop and implement sourcing strategies for indirect products and services, collaborating with internal stakeholders to optimize supplier relationships and drive value. Lead proposal and contract ma...

Falls Church, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping procurement excellence in a billion-dollar business area. Oversee cradle-to-grave procurement activities, lead a diverse team, and enhance supplier relationships to optimize...

Austin, TXRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $160K *

Lead and enhance the SRE team, ensuring reliable operations across deployments. Collaborate with various engineering units to uphold security and performance, while implementing improvements in high-d...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$129K - $177K *

Shape the future of developer tooling by leading strategy and governance for an enterprise ecosystem. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance developer experience, drive automation, and ens...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $189K *

Lead, shape, and execute advanced penetration testing assessments, overseeing scoping, planning, and reporting. Collaborate with teams to enhance cybersecurity measures across various platforms, ensur...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by collaborating with clients to design and deploy AI-driven solutions. This role blends engineering and client engagement, enabling you to tackle complex challenges and deliver...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $90K *

Oversee and coordinate complex construction projects nationwide, managing documentation, submittals, and scheduling while ensuring quality and cost control. Collaborate with project teams to deliver p...

Rockford, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $145K *

Lead product development initiatives in power connectors and cable assemblies. Drive innovation, mentor engineering talent, and ensure high-quality solutions that meet market demands while collaborati...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$214K - $309K *

Optimize our Kubernetes platform as you lead initiatives that enhance reliability and scalability across cloud and on-premises settings. Collaborate with teams to achieve critical goals while mentorin...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$141K - $262K *

Empower your career by leading a dynamic team in software development, ensuring best practices and innovative solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive project success and foster a high-perfor...

Reston, VARemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$84K - $129K *

Engineer underground transmission lines up to 500kV, overseeing design, cost analysis, and project coordination. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance with standards and specifications while man...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$180K - $229K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of insurance technology by leading engineering efforts, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving strategic initiatives to enhance product effectiven...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $180K *

Execute complex, cross-functional projects that align with strategic objectives. Collaborate with stakeholders and teams to ensure timely delivery, budget adherence, and successful outcomes while driv...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$180K - $370K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of technical sales professionals to deliver innovative solutions. Engage with clients to drive results, enhance collaboration, and optimize sales strategies...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$146K - $192K *

Shape the future of transmission design by leading projects, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with engineering standards. Collaborate with clients to deliver high-quality solutions for transmi...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$190K - $280K *

Engage with us to lead complex software initiatives, driving technical excellence and mentoring teams. You'll shape architecture, tackle challenges, and deliver high-performance solutions that support...

Florida, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $181K *

Create impactful technical solutions in military electrification projects. Collaborate with defense clients and provide expertise throughout the proposal process, ensuring compliance and mission effec...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$211K - $253K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing user experience through innovative frontend solutions. As a leader, drive performance, development, and cross-team collaboration to deliver impactful customer...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$132K - $182K *

Drive program execution across high-priority workstreams in Customer Outcomes, managing threat intelligence partnerships and AI model initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure tim...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and validation of complex electrical systems, driving hardware lifecycle efforts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure production readiness an...

Scottsdale, AZRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Join a team that's advancing the design and validation of intricate electrical systems for mission-critical hardware, owning the hardware lifecycle while tackling challenges in RF integration, mechani...

New York, NYRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Develop innovative electrical systems for mission-critical devices, overseeing the entire hardware lifecycle. Lead design and validation efforts to ensure seamless integration, performance, and reliab...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $130K *

Take ownership of developing innovative software solutions, leveraging new technologies and processes. Collaborate closely with customers to create high-quality applications while adapting to evolving...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$95K - $149K *

Lead the charge in delivering complex product development projects by managing cross-functional teams, ensuring customer satisfaction, and driving operational excellence from initiation to delivery in...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information 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.