Principal Test Engineer Jobs

Explore Principal Test Engineer jobs for experienced professionals who lead test strategy, improve product quality, and help engineering teams deliver reliable products. These senior roles may focus on software, hardware, embedded systems, or complex platforms, with responsibilities spanning test architecture, automation, validation, and technical leadership. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities that pay $100,000 or more, helping you find roles aligned with your experience and career goals.

What Does a Principal Test Engineer Do?

Principal Test Engineers define how products and systems are tested across the development lifecycle. They design scalable test frameworks, identify quality risks, guide verification and validation, and partner with development, product, and operations teams. Depending on the role, they may lead testing for applications, cloud services, electronics, aerospace systems, medical devices, or other highly regulated and technically demanding products.

Common Responsibilities

  • Set test strategy, standards, and quality metrics for complex products or programs.
  • Build or oversee automated testing frameworks and continuous integration practices.
  • Plan functional, performance, reliability, security, integration, and system-level testing.
  • Analyze defects and test results, prioritize risks, and recommend improvements.
  • Mentor engineers and influence quality practices across multiple teams.
  • Collaborate with engineering leaders to improve release readiness and product reliability.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers often look for extensive experience in test engineering, quality assurance, or systems verification, along with a record of leading complex initiatives. Useful qualifications may include expertise in test automation, scripting or programming, test management tools, CI/CD, debugging, and product-specific standards. Strong communication, analytical thinking, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams are essential at the principal level. Requirements vary by industry and employer.

Principal Test Engineer Salary and Career Outlook

Compensation depends on location, industry, technical specialization, and scope of responsibility. Principal-level roles commonly offer senior compensation, and Ladders focuses on professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Review each listing for current salary information, required qualifications, and benefits. Experienced Principal Test Engineers may advance into distinguished engineering, quality leadership, test architecture, or broader engineering management roles.

Find Principal Test Engineer Jobs on Ladders

Search Principal Test Engineer openings on Ladders to discover vetted opportunities from employers seeking experienced professionals. Compare roles by industry, location, compensation, and technical focus, then apply to positions that match your expertise and next career move.

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$121K - $205K *

Grow your career with a pivotal role overseeing quality strategies for manufacturing lines and new product scale-up. Collaborate across functions to ensure compliance and drive process improvements in...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$199K - $248K *

Join our Certification team to guide the certification of our first aircraft, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations and collaborating with engineering teams throughout the type certification proces...

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$124K - $159K *

Accelerate your career by leading mechanical engineering design projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and driving innovation in mechanical systems. Utilize your expertise to ensure pro...

Sudbury, ONIn-Person

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $201K *

Elevate software quality by designing, developing, and validating embedded and cloud edge applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system-level solutions meet performance requir...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in optimizing test processes and equipment for electronic components, ensuring high-quality product validation through advanced diagnostics and collaboration with engineering teams to...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $210K *

Collaborate to drive the mechanical deployment testing of large deployable antenna structures. Engage in hands-on testing, data analysis, and troubleshooting to ensure reliable performance and complia...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$127K - $170K *

Unlock potential by leading manufacturing test engineering to ensure quality and scalability of high-volume production systems, driving innovation in testing methodologies, and fostering a culture of...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $204K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and development of advanced software systems for real-time embedded applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to tackle complex challenges and driv...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$92K - $120K *

Shape the future of space exploration by testing critical software systems for NASA's Mission Control. Collaborate with engineers and partners to ensure operational excellence and support human spacef...

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$115K - $155K *

Lead the charge in technical execution and integration within a dynamic engineering environment, ensuring alignment across product lines and driving efficient development in predictive maintenance and...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $150K *

Transform your career by leading the development of complex electro-mechanical flight systems. This role involves project planning, cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring successful delivery wit...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in enhancing powertrain quality and reliability by investigating issues, analyzing data, and developing effective solutions throughout the product lifecycle. Collaborate with cross-fun...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate global testing and validation standards by leading cross-regional teams, ensuring compliance and quality across all product development phases, and driving strategic initiatives for enhanced t...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $110K *

Help us enhance semiconductor testing by providing expert support and troubleshooting for automated test equipment. Engage with customers and collaborate across teams to ensure optimal performance and...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $175K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical leader, driving quality improvement initiatives. Utilize your analytical expertise to optimize systems, elevate quality performance, and influence long-term quality...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by driving innovative software solutions for government clients. Collaborate with teams to design, develop, and enhance applications, ensuring effective communication and ownership of...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in enhancing software testing practices, ensuring all software meets stringent requirements through independent verification and validation processes. Collaborate with stakeholders to...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$82K - $83K *

Empower your career by joining our team as a Test Technician, where you'll conduct dynamic performance testing of gas turbines, troubleshoot systems, and ensure compliance with acceptance specificatio...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $155K *

Lead the validation of advanced hardware systems for on-orbit AI processing. Drive design improvements, mentor engineers, and optimize testing processes to meet aggressive production targets in a dyna...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$68K - $116K *

Lead the charge in ensuring the quality and safety of next-gen infusion pump systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute test strategies, validating performance in real-wor...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $170K *

Elevate quality standards in aerospace by leading inspections, managing compliance, and driving process improvements. Collaborate with teams to ensure product excellence and safety while fostering str...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $234K *

Transform the future of data storage by architecting resilient, scalable systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance service reliability and drive technical strategy, ensuring customers can trust the...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$68K - $116K *

Champion the development and execution of test strategies for next-gen infusion pump systems, ensuring quality and safety through hands-on testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams in a dy...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $170K *

Lead test planning and execution for complex defense and space systems, ensuring rigorous verification and validation of mission capabilities through collaboration with technical teams and stakeholder...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$118K - $224K *

Transform complex training systems as a Principal Software Engineer, leading design and development efforts in a collaborative environment. Drive technical excellence and mentor peers while ensuring h...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Principal Test Engineer do?question toggle

    A Principal Test Engineer leads testing strategy and quality efforts for complex products or systems. The role can include designing test frameworks, guiding automation and validation, analyzing risk, and advising engineering teams on product reliability.

  • What qualifications are usually required for Principal Test Engineer jobs?question toggle

    Employers typically seek significant experience in test engineering, quality assurance, or verification, plus expertise in areas such as automation, programming, system testing, and debugging. Requirements differ by industry, product, and employer.

  • How much do Principal Test Engineers earn?question toggle

    Pay varies based on location, industry, specialization, and role scope. Ladders lists vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for available salary details.

  • What industries hire Principal Test Engineers?question toggle

    Principal Test Engineers work across industries including software, cloud technology, aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical devices, telecommunications, and other sectors that rely on complex products and systems.

  • How can I find Principal Test Engineer jobs?question toggle

    Browse Principal Test Engineer listings on Ladders and compare opportunities by compensation, location, industry, and technical requirements. Tailor your application to highlight leadership, test strategy, automation, and domain expertise.