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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$104K - $194K *

Accelerate progress at the intersection of engineering and program management, ensuring technical issues are resolved and resources are effectively allocated. Collaborate with leaders to maintain prog...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive multidisciplinary design coordination and governance for Facilities in the High-Speed Rail programme, ensuring alignment with operational, regulatory, and performance targets while leading a tea...

Montreal, QCIn-Person

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$72K - $103K *

Join a team that drives innovative mechanical engineering solutions across diverse projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts to execute design, analysis, and validation to exceed customer e...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $140K *

Deliver transformative process engineering solutions to enhance Enterprise-level efficiency and ensure seamless integration across project teams, utilizing advanced methodologies and best practices to...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $140K *

Join a team that's driving process innovation. As a Process Engineer, you'll enhance Enterprise processes, lead project facilitation, and sync cross-team efforts to achieve optimal solutions across th...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Engage with us to design and test innovative electrical systems for complex autonomous platforms. Collaborate with a dynamic team to tackle technical challenges in power management, embedded systems...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$153K - $189K *

Lead the charge in high-complexity defense and aerospace programs, providing strategic technical direction and oversight across engineering disciplines to ensure mission success and compliance with co...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $160K *

Empower our digital evolution by architecting robust technology ecosystems. Lead strategic enhancement of cloud, hybrid, and on-premises infrastructures while fostering innovation through automation a...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$86K - $136K *

Transform stakeholder needs into clear system requirements and designs. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project success through effective interface definition and risk management. D...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$108K - $130K *

Transform the systems engineering landscape by overseeing the full lifecycle of IT solutions, ensuring secure integration and alignment with cybersecurity standards while mentoring junior team members...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$161K - $241K *

Transform systems testing by collaborating with diverse teams to enhance program execution and drive improvements across development and sustainment activities, ensuring robust system solutions and ef...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$145K - $276K *

Join a team that's pioneering advancements in Cyber/EW technologies while leading cross-functional teams and driving impactful research initiatives. Shape the future of cybersecurity with your experti...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$200K - $260K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in space technology as a leader in Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test. Oversee a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the successful execution of strategic ob...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$200K - $260K *

Join a team that's redefining satellite ground systems by leading a multidisciplinary engineering group. Drive innovation, manage priorities, and ensure mission success through strategic partnerships...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$107K - $195K *

Drive the future of air traffic systems by integrating and testing innovative solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance safety and efficiency in aviation, ensuring compliance in a...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in project engineering for cutting-edge satellite development, managing budgets, schedules, and cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution from concept to production...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $191K *

Unlock potential by driving innovative solutions in systems engineering for critical space domain missions. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure user requirements are met and capabilities are succ...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive UAS datalink strategy by providing technical expertise and oversight for system development, integration, and sustainment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance mission effectivenes...

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$146K - $234K *

The Senior Software Engineer at Peraton will design, develop, test, and deploy features for a critical data transmission application supporting the US intelligence community. This role involves collab...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$146K - $219K *

Lead multidisciplinary teams in undersea systems engineering, guiding analysis, development, and integration of solutions for naval capabilities. Engage with sponsors to shape mission needs and delive...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $200K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of strategic satellite communications. Lead testing and validation efforts, ensuring advanced technology solutions meet rigorous requirements while collaborating...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $245K *

Unlock potential by providing technical leadership in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Lead complex initiatives, mentor engineers, and drive process standardization to enhance yield and efficienc...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in integrating advanced missile systems, ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions for d...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $160K *

Join a team that's modernizing mission-critical DoD infrastructure and applications. Leverage your extensive systems engineering expertise to drive innovative solutions, collaborate with stakeholders...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$156K - $234K *

Advance cybersecurity efforts by leading risk identification and mitigation across engineering teams. Collaborate on system security solutions and manage comprehensive cybersecurity compliance for def...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 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.