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 *
Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing software configuration management processes. Oversee version control, build, release, and deployment activities while collaborating with development teams to...
2 weeks ago
Avionics Embedded Systems Engineering Manager
$145K - $269K *
Drive innovation in avionics systems as you lead a dynamic engineering team, ensuring strategic defense capabilities through advanced technologies and effective project management in a collaborative e...
1 week ago
Senior Parts and Reliability Engineer
$120K - $200K *
Champion parts engineering and reliability assurance for space missions. Lead selection, qualification, and reliability analysis of components, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure miss...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Undersea Systems Engineer
$121K - $181K *
Drive undersea systems engineering efforts by leading multidisciplinary teams, managing technical execution, and delivering actionable recommendations for naval capabilities. Collaborate with sponsors...
1 week ago
$104K - $145K *
Elevate your career by analyzing and designing advanced network systems. Contribute to telecommunications solutions, enhance security, and lead technical teams while ensuring operational excellence an...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Principal Systems Engineering Lead-SM-3 IB Tech Refresh Deputy (Onsite)
$132K - $251K *
Tackle the complexities of missile system engineering by leading multidisciplinary teams in requirements development, verification, and production support. Drive innovation and mentorship while ensuri...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$170K - $190K *
Engineer robust systems for autonomous vehicles, translating high-level requirements into detailed specifications. Lead architecture design, ensure safety compliance, and collaborate across teams to d...
1 week ago
Consulting Engineer Systems Architect
$202K - $303K *
Lead the charge in shaping the technical vision and architecture for next-gen command and control systems, driving interoperability and competitiveness across mission applications in a dynamic defense...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for solar cell production, enhancing yield, efficiency, and compliance. Lead cross-functional teams in continuous improvement while ensuring safety and qua...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Lead Engineer, Hardware Design
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop innovative electrical systems, ensuring high-quality hardware solutions. Collaborate across functions to deliver robust products while providing technical sup...
1 week ago
Sr. Staff Engineering Systems Architect
$166K - $289K *
Champion technical leadership for strategic initiatives in Mission Data Management. Drive innovation, oversee IRAD efforts, and ensure alignment with business objectives across multiple programs, enha...
Reposted 1 week ago
Sr. Staff Engineering Systems Architect
$166K - $289K *
Lead cross-organizational collaboration and drive the technical vision for the MDM Operating Unit, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives while overseeing IRAD efforts and fostering quality stan...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead high-impact geospatial navigation solutions, bridging advanced technology with commercial goals. Collaborate with enterprise and defense clients, driving PoCs and mentoring teams to deliver excep...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead and inspire engineering initiatives in air traffic management systems, translating operational needs into actionable requirements while ensuring system performance and safety through effective in...
3 days ago
Systems Engineer - Requirements
$82K - $172K *
Elevate your career by leading engineering teams on complex projects, ensuring high-quality system designs and timely execution while collaborating with senior leadership and maintaining strong client...
Yesterday
Principal Systems Research Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Elevate surgical robotics by leading systems engineering for innovative medical concepts. As a senior technical authority, you will design, develop, and mentor while driving the prototyping of groundb...
3 weeks ago
Program-Level Software Systems Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Contribute to the development of advanced Army Air and Missile Defense systems by leading system-level feature development and reviews, ensuring software meets operational needs through an Agile and M...
2 weeks ago
Principal Mechanical Engineer - Structural Engineer
$118K - $224K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative structural engineering solutions. As a Principal Structural Engineer, you'll lead complex analyses and collaborate across programs to ensure desig...
6 days ago
Lead R&D Manufacturing Engineer
$92K - $138K *
Innovate manufacturing processes and tooling solutions while leading cross-functional teams. Drive product development from concept to production, ensuring quality and efficiency in advanced technolog...
5 days ago
Lead R&D Manufacturing Engineer
$92K - $138K *
Transform manufacturing processes by leading R&D initiatives, developing innovative tooling, and collaborating across teams to enhance product quality and efficiency from concept to production...
5 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading end-to-end systems engineering, focusing on identity, infrastructure, and security. Collaborate across teams to enhance automation and compliance, ensuring a robust and eff...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Elevate your career by owning end-to-end systems design and automation. Collaborate across teams to enhance identity management, cloud security, and compliance, ensuring a productive and audit-ready e...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Reimagine systems engineering by owning end-to-end identity and infrastructure solutions. Collaborate across teams to enhance security, automate processes, and ensure compliance, driving productivity...
Today
$108K - $130K *
Tackle complex systems engineering challenges by designing, securing, and managing identity and cloud infrastructures. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance and automation, enhancing productiv...
Today
$112K - $135K *
Pioneer innovative systems engineering solutions by designing, securing, and managing identity and infrastructure systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance automation, compliance, and security, ens...
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.