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 *

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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

by Amber Haag  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$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

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

Carlsbad, CARemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.