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.
$120K - $145K *
Transform the future of aviation technology by driving innovative cloud solutions that enhance FAA operations, ensuring safety and efficiency in the aviation sector while collaborating with diverse te...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Manage engineering activities for complex information systems, guiding teams in requirements and solutions engineering. Oversee system integration and ensure timely delivery of geospatial intelligence...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineering Technical Project Manager (TPM)
$140K - $188K *
Lead the execution of complex aerospace and defense engineering projects, ensuring financial control and timely delivery. Collaborate across teams to manage risks, track integration, and optimize sche...
4 days ago
Systems Integration/Test Engineer Sr
$95K - $178K *
Lead the charge in managing and executing complex system integration projects, ensuring technical specifications and customer requirements are met while navigating cost and schedule constraints. Drive...
6 days ago
Staff Systems Engineer - Engineering Program Manager
$169K - $253K *
Join a team that drives end-to-end engineering execution across the program lifecycle, ensuring technical performance while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to achieve ambitious goals in defens...
Reposted 1 week ago
$102K - $168K *
Transform test engineering processes by leading complex program planning, coordination, and execution. Drive effective requirements management and configuration control to ensure successful test progr...
1 week ago
$142K - $213K *
Champion the systems engineering lifecycle, from concept to delivery, ensuring robust requirements management and verification strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop architectu...
Reposted 1 week ago
$142K - $213K *
Join a dynamic team to lead the full systems engineering lifecycle, from concept to delivery. Engage with customers and stakeholders, ensuring robust system architecture and effective verification str...
1 week ago
$142K - $213K *
Transform complex systems engineering challenges into actionable solutions. Engage with diverse teams to drive projects from concept through delivery, ensuring robust architectures and successful inte...
2 weeks ago
Lead Facility Network Comm Project Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Engineer and manage facility network communications, ensuring integration, troubleshooting, and stakeholder collaboration in a classified environment while supporting enhancements and performance metr...
Reposted 5 days ago
$227K - $338K *
Take ownership of the architecture and engineering direction for an enterprise AI agent platform, driving hands-on development and mentoring engineers to deliver scalable, cloud-native solutions for F...
4 days ago
Principal Systems Engineer - Airborne Platforms (Onsite)
$107K - $204K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing airborne systems engineering. Collaborate on the UH/HH-60 Black Hawk cockpit, ensuring software requirements are met through testing and integration while fos...
2 weeks ago
Principal Systems Engineer - Airborne Platforms (Onsite)
$107K - $204K *
Empower our team by leveraging your systems engineering expertise to enhance airborne platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure software requirements are met, driving successful out...
2 weeks ago
Senior Systems Engineer — Product Owner
$107K - $195K *
Transform mission-critical air traffic operations as a Product Owner in Agile teams. Drive software development, prioritize backlogs, and engage stakeholders to deliver innovative automation solutions...
3 weeks ago
Principal Security Design Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Partner with us to establish security practices and defend critical infrastructure. Leverage your expertise to influence early design, drive assessments, and mentor engineers while building scalable t...
3 weeks ago
Principal Security Design Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Shape security strategies as a Principal Security Engineer, guiding cloud infrastructure design, threat modeling culture, and red-team assessments. Collaborate with engineering teams to embed security...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Engineer and deliver network security and connectivity solutions for SIGINT systems. Engage in design, integration, testing, and maintenance of critical network infrastructures, ensuring optimal perfo...
3 weeks ago
Mission Planning Systems Engineer
$183K - $261K *
Lead cutting-edge mission planning systems engineering, guiding integration and sustainment to enhance satellite communications for national security. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders and mentor...
2 weeks ago
Senior Manager Systems Engineering
$140K - $160K *
Transform systems engineering excellence by leading a multidisciplinary team, enhancing best practices, and ensuring effective resource management throughout project lifecycles in a dynamic environmen...
Reposted today
Main System Engineer, Body Systems - Metals
$110K - $135K *
Champion collaboration and drive integration as you lead cross-functional teams in delivering Body Systems for innovative vehicles, ensuring technical alignment, readiness, and transparency to achieve...
3 weeks ago
Main System Engineer, Body Systems - Metals
$110K - $135K *
Join a dynamic team to drive integration and alignment across Body Systems in the Metals domain. Collaborate with diverse functions to enhance technical readiness and support the successful delivery o...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $173K *
Unlock potential by leading systems engineering efforts, integrating and validating complex systems while managing performance metrics and ensuring supportability. Collaborate with cross-functional te...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Engineer innovative solutions by analyzing complex systems requirements, ensuring integration and testing for optimum performance, and guiding technical documentation throughout the lifecycle to enhan...
4 weeks ago
$118K - $219K *
Unlock potential by leading requirements and verification engineering for a next-gen MILSATCOM system. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure comprehensive requirements flow-down and valida...
6 days ago
$104K - $194K *
Drive progress at the forefront of product integration, leading a dynamic team to enhance testing and integration processes while ensuring adherence to Agile principles and delivering exceptional resu...
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.