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.
Principal Systems Engineer / Senior Principal Systems Engineer
$93K - $171K *
Lead the charge in driving innovative systems engineering solutions. Collaborate across teams to define and refine requirements while managing multi-disciplinary efforts and ensuring integration with...
Reposted 6 days ago
$140K - $170K *
Transform the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for spacecraft, ensuring seamless integration and performance across multiple disciplines while managing technical risks and program re...
6 days ago
$140K - $170K *
Shape the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for spacecraft. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure integrated system performance from design to launch, balancing technical...
6 days ago
$140K - $170K *
Lead the charge in developing integrated spacecraft systems, ensuring seamless collaboration across engineering disciplines. Drive technical execution from architecture to mission operations, balancin...
6 days ago
$107K - $204K *
Join our team to lead the development and modernization of a critical software platform, driving architectural updates and AI integration while mentoring junior developers and ensuring compliance with...
Today
$100K - $140K *
Lead the charge in integrating advanced digital engineering practices to enhance mission-oriented capabilities, fostering collaboration and innovation across systems for defense initiatives and ensuri...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing complex electromechanical products, managing multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software components from conc...
Today
$180K - $240K *
Support satellite system development and acquisitions to enhance resiliency, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful integration and mission success throughout the s...
3 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Project Engineer
$90K - $105K *
Unlock potential by leading complex mechanical design projects for mobile equipment. Collaborate with engineers and project managers to ensure timely, budget-friendly, and safe project completion whil...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Project Engineer
$90K - $105K *
Lead the charge in mechanical design for mobile equipment, managing complex projects and guiding engineers to ensure timely, budget-friendly, and safe project completion while collaborating across tea...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Project Engineer
$90K - $105K *
Advance your career by leading complex mechanical design projects for mobile equipment. Collaborate with engineers and project managers to ensure timely, budget-friendly, and safe project completion w...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Project Engineer
$90K - $105K *
Lead the charge in innovative mechanical design for mobile equipment, managing complex projects and guiding engineers to ensure timely, budget-friendly, and safe delivery of high-quality solutions. Co...
2 weeks ago
Systems Engineer - Responsible Systems Engineer
$92K - $110K *
Lead cross-functional teams in developing system-level solutions for missile defense. Utilize Model-Based Systems Engineering to analyze architecture impacts and coordinate technical specifications, e...
1 week ago
Principal Systems Engineer - Chief Engineer (Onsite)
$118K - $224K *
Empower your career by leading modernization and certification efforts for military communication devices. Drive technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams and shape robust systems that enhan...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Engineer (Systems Engineer)
$119K - $161K *
Pioneer system integration for cutting-edge military tech, overseeing Active Protection System technologies. Drive innovative solutions and collaborate across teams, leading to enhanced military platf...
4 weeks ago
Principal Systems Engineer (TechSIGINT)
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of TechSIGINT systems engineering by providing enterprise-focused support, integrating capabilities, and ensuring compliance with policies while collaborating with stakeholders and ma...
1 week ago
Senior Space Electronics Systems Engineer
$130K - $180K *
Engineer mission-critical electronic subsystems by leading design, testing, and integration efforts. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability and compliance with stringent space industry standar...
1 week ago
Principal Systems Engineer-Actuation Systems(Onsite)
$107K - $204K *
Drive the design and integration of advanced electromechanical actuation systems for aerospace applications, ensuring safety and performance while mentoring engineering teams and fostering cross-funct...
Yesterday
Systems / Principal Systems Engineer
$91K - $137K *
Join a dynamic team to design, integrate, and enhance cutting-edge systems solutions. Collaborate with engineers and clients to ensure successful hardware and software integration while conducting tes...
Reposted 6 days ago
Principal Systems Engineer - Model-Based Systems Engineer (MBSE)
$113K - $170K *
Engineer innovative cybersecurity solutions while guiding a team in model-based systems engineering within a secure, multi-level environment to deliver high-quality defense systems. Join us in advanci...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for a major platform program, ensuring rigorous management of architecture, requirements, and verification from concep...
2 weeks ago
Senior Control Systems Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining industrial control systems by leading the design, planning, and implementation of automated solutions across diverse sectors. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to...
6 days ago
Principal Systems Engineer - Auxiliary and Training Product Line
$142K - $158K *
Lead the technical strategy for innovative Auxiliary and Training systems, enhancing Fleet Ballistic Missile capabilities through collaboration and expert systems engineering to ensure mission success...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as you provide systems engineering expertise for international THAAD initiatives, ensuring seamless communication and technical support for critical defense operations while coll...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $130K *
Lead a team of engineers to drive innovative projects, engage in hands-on technical work, and ensure seamless operations while managing personnel development and performance appraisals in a dynamic en...
Today
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.