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.
Systems Engineer III, On-Orbit Test Coordinator
$90K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team as a Systems Engineer III, driving satellite operations and on-orbit testing. Leverage your expertise to enhance efficiency, collaborate with government and contractors, and tackle...
1 week ago
Senior Integration and Test Engineer, Lab Operations
$82K - $220K *
Drive integration and testing excellence by managing lab operations, mitigating risks, and mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to enhance efficiency and ensure successful project delivery wh...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Drive systems engineering leadership across complex light rail transit projects, ensuring integration, verification, and validation of systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to meet operati...
1 week ago
$110K - $204K *
Transform software development by leading the design and integration of advanced guidance, navigation, and control systems for hypersonic missile programs, ensuring robust and secure solutions in a hi...
Yesterday
Sr Systems Engineer (Flight Operations – Flight Dynamics)
$143K - $197K *
Engineer mission success by leading analysis and design for Dream Chaser flight operations. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring seamless mission execution from our contr...
3 weeks ago
Field Engineering, Data Center SME
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in defining and enhancing data center delivery standards, ensuring quality and efficiency across complex projects. Collaborate with teams to improve technical methods and support scala...
1 week ago
Systems Engineer (Engineer Systems 2) - 29936
$79K - $100K *
Join a team that's focused on integrating and supporting IT operations. As a Systems Engineer, you'll enhance mission systems, ensure cybersecurity compliance, and deliver daily technical support whil...
Reposted yesterday
$129K - $154K *
Transform the future of the power grid by applying your expertise in power systems. Drive reliability and efficiency through advanced analysis and automation projects, collaborating with cross-functio...
3 weeks ago
$115K - $135K *
Join a team that's advancing simulation-based training systems, where you'll support integration and troubleshooting in a dynamic environment, enhancing operator readiness through hands-on experience...
Today
Senior Engineering Change Coordinator
$95K - $115K *
Champion the configuration management framework, ensuring data integrity and compliance while leading change workflows and audits throughout the product lifecycle. Collaborate cross-functionally to dr...
1 week ago
Staff Systems Engineer- Microsoft365/MDM
$108K - $130K *
Lead the charge in enhancing systems design and infrastructure, delivering innovative solutions to complex technical challenges while ensuring optimal performance, availability, and security across bu...
Reposted today
Senior Staff Data Center Systems Engineer, R&D
$188K - $235K *
Join a team that's defining the future of data center architecture. Lead evaluations of next-generation technologies and integrate diverse engineering domains, guiding innovations from pilot to hypers...
Reposted today
$171K - $228K *
Lead the charge in managing a high-impact systems infrastructure, ensuring stability, security, and scalability. Collaborate with engineering teams, mentor developers, and enhance automation practices...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Join our innovative team as a robotics engineer, where you'll architect and develop cutting-edge software solutions for virtual simulations, collaborating with experts to enhance autonomy and sensor i...
5 days ago
Onboard Software Engineer - Core Services
$140K - $205K *
Join a dynamic team to design and deploy onboard software for space programs, driving innovative features and ensuring high reliability across satellite systems while collaborating with cross-function...
3 weeks ago
Onboard Software Engineer - Core Services
$140K - $205K *
Unlock your potential in a dynamic software role, designing robust solutions for onboard satellite operations while influencing the architecture and contributing to team success through code reviews a...
3 weeks ago
Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Computing Solutions
$132K - $251K *
Transform the future of avionics by leading multi-core analysis and developing innovative tools to enhance processor performance in safety-critical systems, ensuring compliance with AC 20-193 guidance...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive your career with a pivotal role in designing and integrating complex hybrid systems, overseeing the full development lifecycle while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovati...
1 week ago
MBSE Engineer (III to Senior), Space & Missile Defense Systems
$105K - $195K *
Lead the charge in developing and governing MBSE models for complex space and missile defense programs, ensuring compliance with DoD standards while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhanc...
2 weeks ago
MBSE Engineer (III to Senior), Space & Missile Defense Systems
$105K - $195K *
Transform space and missile defense programs by leading MBSE model development. Collaborate with teams to create and govern system models, ensuring compliance with DoD standards while driving innovati...
2 weeks ago
$77K - $116K *
Advance your career by applying innovative systems engineering techniques to tackle national security challenges in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment focused on mission success and operational...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in hardware engineering, guiding multi-disciplinary teams to develop cutting-edge electro-mechanical products. Drive project success through technical leadership, ensuring quality and...
1 week ago
$120K - $170K *
Champion energy innovation by leading control systems projects, driving technical excellence and collaboration across teams. Leverage 10+ years of experience to mentor engineers and enhance client rel...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $170K *
Join a team that's pioneering energy solutions; leverage your expertise in control systems engineering to lead projects and mentor engineers, driving innovation in thermal and electrical energy applic...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Shape the future of server technology by leading technical collateral development, defining benchmarks, and creating proof of concepts. Collaborate with product managers and engineers to enhance produ...
4 days 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.