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.
$110K - $130K *
Transform complex operational needs into innovative engineering solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design, integrate, and test systems in a fast-paced R&D environment, ensuring eff...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $150K *
We’re seeking a seasoned Senior Systems Engineer who excels in high-pressure environments and is passionate about technology, client success, and team development...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Help us design and enhance robust software systems, guiding teams on innovative projects while ensuring software performance and quality standards are met with leading-edge technologies...
3 weeks ago
Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading avionics certification projects, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations. Collaborate with teams to develop complex designs and mentor junior engineers while delivering re...
6 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Manage the development and integration of advanced Submarine combat systems, ensuring seamless operation of hybrid software, web, and hardware products. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative so...
1 week ago
Principal Software Systems Engineer (Embedded Flight Systems)
$129K - $196K *
Innovate with a dynamic team to design and verify embedded flight systems, advancing aerospace technologies while leading agile software development and ensuring mission success through rigorous engin...
Reposted yesterday
Principal System Architect / SME
$150K - $180K *
Lead a team of senior architects in shaping and executing a federal PQC program, ensuring a smooth transition to quantum-resistant cryptography while collaborating with stakeholders to enhance enterpr...
2 weeks ago
Principal/Senior Principal Systems Engineer
$108K - $171K *
Engineer innovative systems solutions that enhance product lines and support advanced tactical missions. Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless integration and validation of requirements, driving...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Systems Engineer - Woburn, Massachusetts
$120K - $145K *
Lead the design and development of advanced Ground-Based Radar systems, enhancing missile defense capabilities through innovative architecture and requirements analysis. Collaborate with multidiscipli...
2 weeks ago
Principal Systems Engineer Onsite
$107K - $204K *
Lead the charge in advancing Ground-Based Radar systems through architecture development, requirements analysis, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams to enhance missile defense capabilities...
3 days ago
Principal Systems Engineer - APNT Solutions (Onsite)
$107K - $204K *
Empower your career by leading innovative systems engineering projects in real-time embedded navigation and timing solutions for military applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enh...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion enterprise IT systems by designing, implementing, and securing solutions across multi-site environments. Lead modernization initiatives and resolve complex issues while collaborating with tec...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Create and support enterprise IT systems in a multi-site manufacturing environment. This hands-on senior role requires deep technical expertise, operational ownership, and collaboration with business...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive enterprise IT solutions in a hands-on senior role, overseeing system design, implementation, and support across hybrid and cloud environments while resolving complex operational issues and leadi...
1 week ago
Principal Software Engineer - Workload Communications Domain Lead
$151K - $201K *
Empower engineering teams by optimizing data flow and communication patterns across distributed workloads. This hands-on role combines technical expertise with mentorship to enhance organizational cap...
1 week ago
$108K - $130K *
Engineer enterprise IT systems across multi-site manufacturing. Lead infrastructure modernization and resolve complex issues in hybrid and cloud environments. Collaborate with teams to enhance operati...
1 week ago
Senior Principal Engineer, Engineering Excellence (Onsite)
$132K - $251K *
Lead the charge in advancing carbon-carbon manufacturing through strategic analysis and innovative inspection methods. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and drive tran...
Today
Systems Engineer/Principal Systems Engineer - Integration & Test
$87K - $163K *
Drive the integration and testing of complex electronic systems, ensuring seamless functionality from design to installation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop test plans and execute...
3 days ago
$130K - $170K *
Join a team that's redefining power systems for space missions. Lead the design, integration, and testing of critical electrical power subsystems, ensuring reliability and performance in challenging o...
6 days ago
Principal Engineer Systems - AHT
$108K - $163K *
Lead the charge in developing and managing systems requirements using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver technical solutions and suppo...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Systems Security Engineer
$200K - $315K *
Create and implement robust security architectures across enterprise, cloud, and infrastructure environments, ensuring compliance with industry standards while guiding security initiatives and influen...
Reposted 4 days ago
$130K - $260K *
Build and manage Cisco SANs, configure settings, and ensure optimal operations. Collaborate with teams to enhance storage systems in VMware environments while addressing security protocols and mainten...
Reposted yesterday
$130K - $260K *
Lead the design and maintenance of secure systems in diverse environments, ensuring they meet enterprise-scale requirements while driving automation and compliance. Collaborate on strategic A&A activi...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Production Manufacturing Engineer
$101K - $131K *
Unlock potential by driving manufacturing excellence through process optimization, Lean practices, and cross-functional collaboration. This role enhances production efficiency and quality for advanced...
1 week ago
Senior Systems Engineer - Satellites
$120K - $209K *
Engage in the design and integration of avionics systems for high-power satellites. Collaborate across teams to define requirements and support verification efforts from concept through to flight prod...
3 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.