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 *
Drive innovative engineering solutions by integrating model-based systems engineering to enhance national security and healthcare access. Collaborate with clients to translate needs into technical spe...
2 weeks ago
Principal System Safety Engineer
$107K - $204K *
Architect pivotal safety programs ensuring adherence to MIL-STD-882E while managing risk and mentoring engineers. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance system design and promote a robust safety cu...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion the development of advanced Human Machine Integrated Formations by translating operational needs into systems requirements. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful prototyping for...
6 days ago
Senior Principal Systems Engineer – Space Missions
$142K - $213K *
Lead the charge in developing advanced spacecraft systems for national security missions. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate and test complex systems, ensuring mission success in a...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Contribute to innovative systems engineering for cutting-edge server designs, ensuring high-quality and reliable products. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and manage project deadlines while...
Reposted 2 days ago
Engineering Execution Manager - BNATCS Architecture & Systems Engineering (BASE)
$135K - $216K *
Lead the charge in engineering operations by supervising a diverse team of 30 engineers, ensuring effective performance management, resource allocation, and workforce planning to support the moderniza...
5 days ago
Space Payload Systems/Principal Systems Engineer
$87K - $131K *
Champion systems engineering efforts for space subsystems and payloads, overseeing full lifecycle processes from mission design to operational support, ensuring integration, verification, and validati...
Reposted 1 week ago
Sr Software Engineering Manager
$138K - $165K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of avionics systems by leading software development initiatives. You'll manage a talented group of engineers, ensuring project success from inception to completio...
Yesterday
$100K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading the development of automated test systems, driving innovation in testing and validation processes, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product reliabil...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Champion innovation by designing and developing embedded firmware, collaborating with engineering teams, and utilizing advanced tools for validation and debugging. Drive progress in circuit design and...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate IT systems and SIGINT platforms by integrating advanced communications technologies, ensuring robust system architecture, and enhancing network administration across diverse environments...
2 weeks ago
$85K - $158K *
Shape innovative solutions by performing comprehensive systems engineering analyses, ensuring seamless integration and validation of complex systems while collaborating with cross-functional teams to...
2 days ago
$95K - $178K *
Empower a dynamic team by driving technical planning and system integration, ensuring effective solutions that meet customer requirements while navigating technical, schedule, and cost constraints in...
2 days ago
Software Engineer - Aegis Based Defense
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer advanced missile defense software solutions, collaborating with elite engineers and defense professionals to enhance the U.S. Navy's Aegis and SM-6 systems, while tackling complex challenges i...
6 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Elevate your engineering career by owning fluid systems from design to production. Drive innovation in thermal analysis, component selection, and testing for cutting-edge reactor technology, making a...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior Process Engineer, optimizing renewable energy processes, enhancing plant performance, and driving continuous improvement initiatives in a dynamic environment focused...
Today
Lead Software Engineer, Infrastructure & Systems
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's driving innovation by leading the development of cutting-edge software and automation solutions for military electronics in dynamic environments. Collaborate across disciplines to e...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining system design, focusing on innovative, high-quality solutions for cutting-edge technology products. Collaborate across disciplines to drive projects from concept through...
Reposted 2 days ago
$140K - $180K *
Support us in leading complex manufacturing operations, ensuring safety and quality in energetic materials production while enhancing process efficiencies and compliance standards...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $185K *
Shape the future of fusion energy as you lead systems engineering efforts to integrate complex mechanical systems, ensuring successful design and implementation in groundbreaking projects with cross-d...
4 weeks ago
$141K - $236K *
Transform complex software systems through innovative development and maintenance. Collaborate with teams to enhance analytics, algorithms, and real-time systems while ensuring adherence to design req...
Today
$120K - $190K *
Manage engineering projects across Hybrid Platforms, coordinating technical evaluations, documentation, and stakeholder communication. Leverage your 4-7 years of experience to drive successful project...
2 weeks ago
Lead / Principal Software Integration Engineer - Optical Networking
$110K - $130K *
Deliver innovative solutions by developing and executing integration strategies for optical networking platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and ensure robus...
6 days ago
Principal Mechanical Engineer (Onsite)
$107K - $204K *
Join a team that's at the forefront of aerospace innovation, tackling complex engineering challenges across all product lifecycles. Develop cutting-edge mechanical solutions and collaborate with exper...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Principal RF Components Engineer
$219K - $280K *
Lead the development and validation of RF components for satellite systems, ensuring robust performance and reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define specifications, conduct rigor...
2 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.