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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$100K - $120K *

Elevate customer success by implementing privacy-first healthcare marketing solutions. As an Implementation Engineer, you'll guide clients through technical setups, ensuring optimal performance and co...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$118K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to design high-voltage transmission lines, mentor peers, and ensure compliance with engineering standards. Leverage your expertise to deliver innovative solutions and enhance clien...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $145K *

Innovate your career by developing advanced software for maritime route optimization, focusing on vessel performance, simulation, and algorithm enhancement for government defense applications. Collabo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$204K - $266K *

Lead multi-team security initiatives by driving technical readiness, managing dependencies, and influencing executive decisions. Collaborate across Trust Engineering, Product, and Legal to establish f...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $139K *

Champion contract management excellence by overseeing procurement and lifecycle processes for engineering and construction contracts, ensuring compliance and fostering strong supplier relationships to...

Supply, NCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$153K - $213K *

Drive efficiency by automating internal processes, enhancing productivity across teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, implement AI solutions, and ensure measurable impact on w...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $160K *

Elevate your career by leading the start-up and commissioning of critical power systems for large-scale data centers. Drive project success through effective planning, execution, and stakeholder manag...

Arizona, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$132K - $251K *

Unlock potential by leading technical design for resilient architectures that enhance classified system capabilities, aligning IT solutions with business objectives while collaborating with senior eng...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $190K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Turbine Aerodynamicist, leading innovative turbine design and analysis for aircraft and industrial engines. Collaborate across teams to drive strategic improvements a...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $216K *

Explore opportunities as a Principal OT Cybersecurity Architect, leading advanced solutions analysis for critical infrastructure. Collaborate with federal stakeholders to enhance cybersecurity across...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$86K - $165K *

Join a dynamic team as a Software Developer, enhancing security tools through innovative web applications. Collaborate in an agile environment to design, develop, and maintain solutions that support c...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $150K *

Pioneer your career by leading nuclear engineering initiatives, ensuring safety and compliance across multidisciplinary teams. Leverage your expertise in Small Modular Reactor designs and criticality...

Oak Ridge, TNRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$104K - $153K *

Champion innovative AI-driven self-service solutions, enhancing employee experiences through ServiceNow. Collaborate with teams to streamline processes, ensuring high-quality engineering from design t...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$134K - $205K *

Drive modernization of nuclear power plants by leading and supporting control projects, coordinating across disciplines, and ensuring technical execution to enhance operational efficiency and client s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $205K *

Champion the modernization of nuclear control systems by leading diverse projects and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful outcomes and client satisfaction in the energy sec...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$86K - $135K *

Lead the charge in optimizing pre-construction workflows for hydrogen systems. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to ensure timely project execution and regulatory compliance, driving efficiency an...

Johnstown, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $145K *

Champion innovative solutions by architecting a cutting-edge Command & Control system for large drone swarms, influencing design and implementation while collaborating with a dynamic team to tackle co...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Drive innovation by developing and supporting our trading system software, focusing on low latency and high throughput solutions during US evening hours in a dynamic remote environment...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $350K *

Elevate your career by driving the development of advanced AI models, overseeing pretraining processes, and optimizing training systems to ensure successful outcomes in a collaborative, innovative env...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Transform scientific research with innovative AI methods. Collaborate across teams to design, test, and implement state-of-the-art models that advance academic discovery and impact the future of scien...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $148K *

Manage storage infrastructure for DASD and tape systems, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Oversee customer migrations, backups, and disaster recovery, while providing expert support and m...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Transform security solutions across multiple domains, driving technical direction and collaboration to address high-risk items and enhance Meta's security posture company-wide. Lead cross-functional t...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$155K - $165K *

Transform the future of IoT connectivity by leading chipset and module enablement, guiding developers through the NB-IoT NTN journey, and optimizing solutions for real-world applications seamlessly...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional IT infrastructure projects. As a Senior Project Manager, you'll oversee project execution, ensuring client satisfaction and adherence to best pra...

New Mexico, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$254K - $297K *

Elevate customer experiences by diagnosing and resolving complex technical challenges. Contribute directly to product engineering initiatives while collaborating with strategic customers and internal...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.