Senior Principal Systems Engineer Jobs

Explore Senior Principal Systems Engineer jobs for experienced professionals who guide the design, integration, and performance of complex systems. These senior technical leaders bring broad engineering expertise to high-impact programs, helping organizations translate mission and business needs into reliable, secure, and scalable solutions. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more.

What Does a Senior Principal Systems Engineer Do?

Senior Principal Systems Engineers shape system architecture and engineering strategy throughout a product or program lifecycle. They define requirements, evaluate trade-offs, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and ensure that components work together as intended. Depending on the employer, work may span aerospace and defense, software, telecommunications, healthcare technology, energy, or other complex technical fields.

Common Responsibilities and Skills

Typical responsibilities include developing system architectures, managing requirements and interfaces, conducting technical risk assessments, supporting verification and validation, and advising project leaders on design decisions. Employers often seek deep systems engineering experience, strong analytical and communication skills, technical leadership, and familiarity with relevant standards, tools, and regulatory requirements. Specific qualifications vary by role and industry.

Career Opportunities and Compensation

Senior Principal roles are commonly suited to professionals with substantial experience and a record of leading complex engineering efforts. Opportunities may offer paths toward chief engineer, systems architect, engineering director, or other technical leadership positions. Compensation depends on industry, location, scope, and qualifications; browse Ladders for vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more.

Find Senior Principal Systems Engineer Jobs on Ladders

Use Ladders to explore professional-level openings and identify positions that align with your technical expertise and career goals. Review each listing for its responsibilities, qualifications, location, and compensation details, then apply to roles that fit your experience.

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

$90K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by designing CI/CD pipelines and automating processes. Collaborate with teams to enhance development efficiency while ensuring system compliance and security across AWS and Azure...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$143K - $241K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable data solutions, optimize performance, and enhance software architecture while adhering to coding standards and leveraging AI to...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$161K - $299K *

Drive impactful change by managing 1LMX product solutions across the enterprise. Collaborate with stakeholders to align transformation capabilities with business needs, ensuring successful deployment...

Connecticut, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$141K - $184K *

Lead the design of high voltage transmission lines, utilizing advanced engineering techniques and PLS-CADD software. Collaborate with multi-discipline teams to deliver comprehensive project documentat...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$209K - $273K *

Grow your career with a technical leadership role tackling complex challenges while mentoring others and collaborating on impactful projects across multiple engineering teams, elevating standards and...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$102K - $142K *

Transform Salesforce systems by enhancing integrations and configurations. Collaborate with a dynamic team to support professional services and streamline project management, ensuring seamless operati...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$232K - $319K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of cybersecurity by leading a dynamic team of Solutions Engineers. Drive partner engagement, foster relationships, and execute strategic initiatives to enhance per...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $189K *

Lead, shape, and execute advanced penetration testing assessments, overseeing scoping, planning, and reporting. Collaborate with teams to enhance cybersecurity measures across various platforms, ensur...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Grow your career with a dynamic role focused on coding, cloud resources, and database support. Lead automation projects, solve unique challenges daily, and collaborate with teams to deliver practical...

CanadaRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $220K *

Transform diverse big data into actionable insights by designing, developing, and deploying cutting-edge AI-driven applications. Collaborate with teams to optimize models and create robust ML pipeline...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $175K *

Lead the charge in architecting and managing robust cloud platforms, driving modernization efforts, and automating infrastructure solutions for large-scale enterprises. Collaborate with top engineers...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $140K *

Drive your career with a dynamic team focused on developing innovative software solutions for the electric and gas distribution market, enhancing functionality and integration while mentoring junior d...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$84K - $129K *

Drive the design and development of high-voltage transmission lines, overseeing project teams and ensuring compliance with engineering standards while collaborating with clients and vendors to deliver...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Drive innovative structural design solutions for utility projects, ensuring quality and compliance. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced environmen...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $140K *

Unlock your potential as a Program Manager, leading complex cybersecurity initiatives. Drive project success by coordinating resources, managing timelines, and ensuring the protection of sensitive dat...

Virginia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$129K - $193K *

Innovate exceptional customer experiences by managing complex global deployments, leveraging expertise in HCM, Payroll, and Financial solutions while enhancing methodologies through effective stakehol...

RemoteRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$195K - $225K *

Innovate within a dynamic team to design, develop, and deploy advanced applications for a transformational initiative. Lead technical solutions and mentor engineers while ensuring optimal application...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $211K *

Lead the charge in managing complex Industrial Controls workstreams, ensuring seamless execution of NPI programs. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative automation solutions on time and within...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$154K - $260K *

Transform edge AI solutions by leading a talented engineering team. Drive the strategy for embedded systems and machine learning, ensuring impactful deployment of intelligent safety features for real...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Analyze technical sales opportunities from discovery to close, leveraging AI tools and client data to drive business cases. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless implementation an...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in program management excellence, ensuring seamless operations and compliance across diverse teams while supporting critical Air Force contract initiatives and rapid-response readiness...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$109K - $159K *

Lead the charge in administering cutting-edge cloud technologies, focusing on AWS and Linux systems. Collaborate with development teams to enhance CI/CD pipelines while ensuring system security and re...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $180K *

Lead a team in tackling complex electrical engineering projects, ensuring successful delivery through effective coordination, technical oversight, and client engagement. Drive innovation and mentor te...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $140K *

Play a key role in leading complex analytical projects, driving Federal transformation engagements, and delivering client-ready solutions while collaborating with stakeholders across various disciplin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$135K - $160K *

Shape the future of geospatial science by leading the design and development of innovative data processing pipelines and APIs, while mentoring engineers and setting technical direction in a dynamic, m...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Senior Principal Systems Engineer do?question toggle

    A Senior Principal Systems Engineer leads or advises on the architecture, requirements, integration, and validation of complex systems. The role often involves coordinating engineering disciplines and making high-level technical decisions.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Senior Principal Systems Engineer jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but employers commonly look for extensive systems engineering experience, strong technical leadership, and expertise in areas such as requirements management, system architecture, integration, and verification. Some positions may require a specific degree, industry background, or security clearance.

  • Which industries hire Senior Principal Systems Engineers?question toggle

    Employers may hire for these roles in aerospace and defense, software and technology, telecommunications, healthcare technology, energy, and other industries that develop or operate complex systems.

  • How much do Senior Principal Systems Engineers earn?question toggle

    Pay varies with industry, location, experience, and role scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for compensation details.

  • How can I find Senior Principal Systems Engineer jobs on Ladders?question toggle

    Browse the Senior Principal Systems Engineer listings on Ladders, review each job's requirements and compensation information, and apply to opportunities that match your experience and career goals.