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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$110K - $130K *

Help us lead complex capital projects by overseeing technical and operational management, ensuring timely delivery, and mentoring a talented team for excellence in bulk material handling and construct...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$122K - $227K *

Drive innovative solutions in AI-enabled mission applications and autonomy, leading software-intensive programs and integrating advanced technologies across multidisciplinary teams to enhance command...

New Jersey, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$121K - $161K *

Transform your career by leading the design and implementation of Veeva Vault RIM, ensuring optimal performance and compliance while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user experienc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $200K *

Grow your career by building and optimizing a cloud-native platform for legal investigations. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance Azure services, containerization, and IaC practices in a fully r...

Washington, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Transform the Microsoft 365 ecosystem by designing and implementing integrations, enhancing data flow, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to modernize processes and drive...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Advance software development by leading projects, mentoring engineers, and architecting solutions. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance and functionality while staying updated on technology...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$161K - $299K *

Lead the charge in implementing enterprise applications by leveraging your expertise in SAP or PeopleSoft to drive solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet business requirements and...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $135K *

Optimize business operations by providing strategic project support to senior leadership, enhancing recruitment processes, and analyzing market data to drive informed decision-making and improve captu...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$175K - $210K *

Innovate and lead the technical vision for large-scale product systems, driving cross-functional initiatives and engineering excellence while mentoring teams to enhance growth and impact across multip...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $280K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in technical infrastructure. As a Systems Engineer Sr. Principal, you'll lead cross-functional projects, mentor teams, and optimize resources to enhance delivery...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$110K - $130K *

Drive logistics innovation by optimizing end-to-end processes for large-scale data centers. Leverage engineering expertise to enhance efficiency, safety, and scalability in warehouse operations and ma...

Arizona, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $162K *

Deliver exceptional customer service by managing maintenance operations and support activities. Collaborate with teams to ensure timely resolution of issues while leading talent development and execut...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$172K - $229K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of autonomous vehicle software by diagnosing and deploying solutions. Join a dynamic team to enhance capabilities and resolve complex challenges in a high-stakes e...

Las Vegas, NVRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $130K *

Lead the accounting department's daily operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with GAAP, and effective team management. Drive efficiency in accounts payable and receivable while...

Arlington, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$250K - $349K *

Unlock potential by leading technical direction for Core DevOps, improving CI/CD systems while driving productivity, quality, and AI innovations in a fast-paced environment impacting millions of users...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to architect and enhance scalable data pipelines, delivering actionable security insights. Collaborate across disciplines to support large data volumes and refine algorithms, makin...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Contribute to our technical sales initiatives by bridging client needs with software solutions, leading discovery processes, and designing integration strategies for successful implementations...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Execute project development and implementation, managing budgets, schedules, and vendor tasks while ensuring quality standards and fostering collaboration across teams and clients...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$156K - $173K *

Elevate portfolio risk management by leading cross-program initiatives, identifying risks, and driving mitigations. Manage discrete programs while ensuring effective communication and reporting to sta...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$122K - $142K *

Shape the future of networking by leading the design and maintenance of enterprise infrastructure, optimizing solutions, and enhancing team operations for a seamless connectivity experience across the...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$136K - $181K *

Lead the charge in executing systems engineering activities across R&D, cloud, and AI platforms. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure seamless integration, compliance, and operational excellence in...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $194K *

Lead the technical strategy for strategic partnerships, transforming partner needs into integrations and influencing product design. Collaborate with R&D to evaluate AI models and enhance GitLab's off...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $145K *

Lead the development of advanced geospatial systems by integrating software, algorithms, and data processing for remote sensing and signal processing applications, ensuring seamless interaction across...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $190K *

Shape the future of our technology landscape by architecting scalable, secure systems that empower a high-growth environment through innovative SaaS and AI strategies. Lead the implementation of best...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $175K *

Unlock the potential of our NTN device ecosystem by driving strategic partnerships with OEMs, chipset vendors, and manufacturers. Collaborate cross-functionally to align product roadmaps and ensure su...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

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.