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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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...
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Lead, shape, and execute advanced penetration testing assessments, overseeing scoping, planning, and reporting. Collaborate with teams to enhance cybersecurity measures across various platforms, ensur...
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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...
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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...
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$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...
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$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...
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Senior Transmission Line Engineer 1 - Grid
$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...
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$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...
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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...
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Innovate exceptional customer experiences by managing complex global deployments, leveraging expertise in HCM, Payroll, and Financial solutions while enhancing methodologies through effective stakehol...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Software Engineer (Remote)
$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...
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Technical Program Manager, Industrial Controls, R&D
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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...
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$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...
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$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...
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$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...
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Senior Cloud Systems Administrator
$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...
2 days ago
Lead Electrical Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$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...
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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...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer (Remote)
$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...
2 days ago
What does a Senior Principal Systems Engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.