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.
$95K - $115K *
Transform mission systems by leveraging your DevOps expertise to administer and troubleshoot complex environments, ensuring seamless integration and performance across storage, virtualization, and Kub...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Contribute to mission success by managing and troubleshooting complex systems, including NetApp storage and Kubernetes environments. Collaborate on engineering documentation and design solutions while...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $160K *
Develop your career by engaging in critical system engineering tasks, working collaboratively with teams and users to ensure effective solutions, performance evaluation, and requirements management in...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $102K *
Elevate your career by providing hands-on IT support and systems administration in a dynamic, client-facing role. Collaborate with technical teams to enhance user experiences and maintain robust clien...
2 weeks ago
Systems Engineer / Principal Systems Engineer - Integration & Test
$91K - $137K *
Contribute to the development and testing of complex systems solutions, ensuring requirements are met through collaboration with Agile teams. Engage in functional analysis and verification to deliver...
1 week ago
Systems Engineer / Principal Systems Engineer - Integration & Test
$91K - $137K *
Engineer comprehensive systems solutions by translating customer requirements into actionable designs. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance through rigorou...
1 week ago
Systems Engineer / Principal Systems Engineer - Integration & Test
$91K - $137K *
Oversee the integration and testing of systems solutions, ensuring alignment between customer requirements and product deliverables while collaborating with cross-functional Agile teams and facilitati...
3 weeks ago
Senior Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing and maintaining mission models that drive system architecture and integration efforts, ensuring effective interoperability and execution across operational scenarios in s...
Reposted today
$180K - $230K *
Shape the future of space systems by providing expert engineering support, overseeing program execution, and collaborating on innovative solutions to enhance operational capabilities and system perfor...
4 days ago
Space Systems Integration Engineer
$200K - $240K *
Lead complex systems integration for advanced space capabilities, driving program planning and risk mitigation while collaborating with government and contractor teams to deliver innovative solutions...
1 week ago
Space Systems Integration Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Lead the charge in advancing space systems integration, applying your expertise to enhance U.S. Space Force capabilities. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive program execution, risk management, an...
1 week ago
Principal Engineer Systems - AHT IBCS Poland (NAREW)
$108K - $163K *
Lead the charge in advancing missile defense systems through innovative engineering solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance integrated command and control capabilities for inte...
1 week ago
$117K - $175K *
Lead innovative systems engineering efforts to support diverse acquisition activities for national security and commercial space programs, ensuring effective lifecycle management and operational succe...
Today
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in modernizing complex systems through senior engineering expertise, collaboration, and innovation. Drive enterprise solutions in cloud, DevSecOps, and geospatial technologies to suppo...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion the development and integration of complex systems, ensuring alignment with operational needs and technical requirements throughout their lifecycle. Collaborate with teams to enhance solution...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Engage with us to support systems from concept through deployment, ensuring operational requirements are met. Collaborate with teams to define technical needs and enhance system performance throughout...
6 days ago
Principal Systems Architect - C5ISR
$125K - $150K *
Architect innovative C4ISR/C5ISR systems, leading integration and testing efforts. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate mission needs into scalable architectures, ensuring operational...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform railway systems by leading RAM engineering activities across all project phases, ensuring reliability and performance meet operational and contractual standards while collaborating with mult...
1 week ago
$80K - $120K *
Drive operational excellence by managing complex systems engineering projects for critical radar systems, ensuring effective solutions that meet technical, schedule, and cost constraints while support...
Reposted today
$80K - $120K *
Engage in the development of next-gen ICBM systems, collaborating with teams to ensure compliance and performance. This role offers early-career engineers a chance to enhance skills while contributing...
Today
$80K - $120K *
Join a team that's transforming military systems through innovative engineering solutions. Lead cross-functional teams in the design, development, and testing of embedded systems, ensuring compliance...
Reposted today
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative systems engineering solutions for a high-priority nuclear modernization program, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to schedule and cost constraints w...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in systems engineering for a high-priority defense program. You'll engage in comprehensive engineering activities, ensuring mission success through effective desi...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by providing expert Systems Engineering support for advanced Intelligence Architecture, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to troubleshoot and enhance mission-critical syst...
1 week ago
$108K - $130K *
Lead a dynamic team to deliver innovative solutions for military systems, overseeing the entire program lifecycle from design to execution. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure compliance with cus...
1 week 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.