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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enterprise Implementation Engineer
$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...
2 weeks ago
Lead Transmission Line Engineer 1 - Grid
$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...
Yesterday
Senior Software Engineer - Maritime Optimization
$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...
Reposted 3 days ago
Principal Technical Program Manager - Trust
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager, Applied AI
$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...
2 weeks ago
Senior Data Center Project Manager
$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...
3 days ago
Senior Solutions IT Architect supporting Capacity Growth-Remote, Domestic US Locations
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Experienced Senior Turbine Aerodynamicist
$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...
1 week ago
Principal OT Cybersecurity / ICS Security Architect
$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...
4 weeks ago
Cyber Senior Software Tool Developer - Remote
$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...
2 weeks ago
Senior Nuclear Engineer Energy - Remote
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
1 week ago
Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 2 - Nuclear
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 2 - Nuclear
$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...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager, Hydrogen Systems (Pre-Construction & Permitting Focus)
$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...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, Real-Time Generalist
$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...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, Core Software Engineering (International Remote Hire)
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Research Engineer - Pretraining
$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...
1 week ago
Member of Technical Staff, Research
$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...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer - Storage
$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...
1 week ago
Security Engineer Lead, Security Foundations
$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...
Today
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$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...
3 days ago
Staff Forward Deployed Engineer
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
What does a Principal Systems Engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Experienced professionals may advance into distinguished engineering or chief architect positions, lead larger technical organizations, or move into engineering management and technical executive roles.