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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$100K - $123K *
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Senior/Lead CA Gen Engineer - Mainframe Modernization (Remote)
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in transforming legacy systems by leveraging your CA Gen expertise to modernize applications and drive technical innovation within a collaborative engineering team...
3 weeks ago
Senior/Lead CA Gen Engineer - Mainframe Modernization (Remote)
$125K - $150K *
Transform legacy technology by leading modernization efforts, utilizing your deep expertise in CA Gen and COBOL. Collaborate within a dynamic team to design specifications that support the successful...
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Elevate technical execution in GMP manufacturing by leading complex workstreams for comparability strategies, tech transfers, and process improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensur...
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$190K - $215K *
Transform cloud-based engineering strategies as you lead teams in creating innovative AI-powered automation solutions, ensuring quality and scalability while promoting a dynamic and collaborative cult...
Reposted 4 days ago
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Shape the future of software development by leading impactful engineering initiatives, mentoring talent, and driving innovation across diverse systems to enhance capabilities and organizational growth...
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Unlock potential by leading a dynamic portfolio of Cybersecurity Services, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes. Collaborate with stakeholders to manage budgets, risks, and project lifec...
2 weeks ago
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$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading materials management for a Nuclear Development project. Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and vendors to ensure effective planning and execution, driving project s...
1 week ago
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$90K - $144K *
Join our team to manage z/OS systems, ensuring efficient installation and maintenance while delivering critical support to government clients. This role demands strong technical expertise and the abil...
4 weeks ago
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$135K - $160K *
Unlock potential by driving innovative, AI-powered financial audit solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design agent-driven experiences and own complex onboarding workflows for major...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$125K - $225K *
Elevate project success by leading multidisciplinary teams in nuclear design and program management, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance across all phases of construction and operations for compl...
1 week ago
$80K - $100K *
Optimize software solutions by developing, integrating, and supporting applications within an ICAM workstream, ensuring high quality and security standards. Collaborate in CI/CD environments and provi...
3 weeks ago
$160K - $210K *
Pioneer your career by leveraging your full-stack development expertise to design and implement innovative software solutions. Collaborate with teams to support critical federal missions through IT mo...
2 weeks ago
$138K - $173K *
Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality software delivery. Lead and mentor a team of engineers while optimizing processes and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous impro...
1 week ago
Senior Manager, Cloud Engineering Governance - FedRAMP
$130K - $160K *
Lead governance initiatives in a multi-cloud environment, managing a team to secure and optimize cloud operations. Oversee compliance, develop policies, and optimize costs while ensuring alignment wit...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
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$110K - $130K *
Optimize design processes and lead a team of Design Leads to ensure high-quality project deliverables. Collaborate with project managers to balance resources, enforce design standards, and drive conti...
1 week ago
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Lead the charge in delivering impactful solutions for Veterans by managing a cross-functional agile team, driving product direction, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders to enhance...
Yesterday
Advanced Weapons Business Process Leader
$139K - $208K *
Join a team that's transforming Global Supply Chain and ERP processes. As a Staff Business Process Leader, you'll drive process standardization, support ERP transformations, and engage with stakeholde...
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Empower our data platform by designing, building, and operating core capabilities. Collaborate with teams to enhance ingestion, storage, and API functionalities, ensuring scalability and resilience wh...
2 weeks ago
Director, Advanced Missions Group - Tactical Communications & Networking
$170K - $185K *
Join a team that's redefining tactical communications and networking strategies for unmanned systems. Leverage your expertise to shape connectivity solutions, ensuring seamless data exchange across jo...
2 weeks ago
Lead Technical Program Manager, ADM (Remote)
$118K - $180K *
Champion the development of Advanced Deposition Materials by leading New Product Introductions from concept to high volume manufacturing, ensuring cross-functional alignment and delivering quality pro...
2 weeks ago
Lead Technical Program Manager, ADM (Remote)
$118K - $180K *
Champion innovative product development by leading cross-functional teams to drive New Product Introductions in Advanced Deposition Materials, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineer - AI Rack Scale Systems
$160K - $500K+*
Deliver innovative mechanical designs for AI compute systems, enhancing data center capabilities. Collaborate on all facets of product development, ensuring high-quality assembly and performance throu...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $152K *
Unlock your potential by leading innovative electrical engineering projects. Collaborate in a dynamic environment, enhance technical designs, and mentor junior engineers while driving excellence in sy...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Virtual Design & Construction Specialist
$90K - $110K *
Oversee the coordination and management of design models across software platforms, establishing BIM standards and schedules. Review models for accuracy, identify conflicts, and support project develo...
2 weeks 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.