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.
$117K - $201K *
Unlock potential by leading AI-driven endpoint management, enhancing security and user experience while transitioning to autonomous operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and...
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Asset Management Program Manager - Manufacturing & Specialty Chemicals
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Transform asset management programs by leading multi-site inspections and enhancing client partnerships. Drive continuous improvement while managing project scope, budget, and quality in the manufactu...
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Senior Manager, Cloud Storage Engineering
$160K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team driving innovative cloud storage solutions. Lead engineering efforts to design and maintain high-performance storage services globally, ensuring reliability and scalability for div...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Site Reliability Engineering Lead
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Transform the future of cloud infrastructure by leading a dynamic SRE team, driving automation, and enhancing operational excellence across scalable platforms while fostering collaboration and continu...
3 weeks ago
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Join a team that's shaping the future of engineering solutions by leading technical engagement and demand creation, driving strategic plans, and fostering relationships with key stakeholders in a dyna...
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Project Manager, FEHRM Healthcare Technology Management - Interoperability
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$123K - $164K *
Drive end-to-end design execution for major data center projects, leading multidisciplinary teams to ensure alignment with safety, sustainability, and commercial goals throughout the project lifecycle...
2 days ago
Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 2 - Nuclear
$134K - $205K *
Drive modernization of nuclear power plants by leading and supporting control projects, coordinating across disciplines, and ensuring technical execution to enhance operational efficiency and client s...
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Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 2 - Nuclear
$134K - $205K *
Champion the modernization of nuclear control systems by leading diverse projects and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful outcomes and client satisfaction in the energy sec...
3 weeks ago
Senior AI Engineer with semantic web tech
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Pioneer the future of AI as a Senior Engineer specializing in semantic web technologies, bridging business and tech to create scalable data solutions that enhance analytics, knowledge management, and...
3 weeks ago
Data Center Structural Engineer
$113K - $142K *
Design and develop structural engineering solutions for modular data centers. Oversee vendor collaboration, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with local codes, delivering repeatable desi...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Champion enterprise systems diligence and value creation engagements, assessing technology, processes, and infrastructure to drive operational excellence and strategic insights for investors and manag...
6 days ago
Senior Technology Security Engineer
$103K - $164K *
Lead and innovate security solutions, assess risks, ensure compliance, and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance enterprise security frameworks in a dynamic environment...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - AI Test Automation
$110K - $130K *
Empower your career by developing AI-driven test automation solutions for airline APIs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance testing workflows and ensure high-quality software delivery i...
3 days ago
$125K - $150K *
Optimize the AI core systems transforming public records into actionable data. Collaborate with research and engineering to enhance scalability, efficiency, and accuracy across national applications...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Program Manager - Released Products
$95K - $115K *
Unlock project potential as a Program Manager, leading cross-functional teams to enhance released products, drive strategic initiatives, and ensure alignment with organizational goals in a dynamic, re...
3 weeks ago
Supply Chain Program Manager (PMO)
$155K - $185K *
Pioneer effective supply chain management by coordinating program activities, ensuring timely material deliverables, and consolidating data for decision-making across cross-functional teams to meet pe...
4 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - Agent Team
$140K - $190K *
Empower your career by developing innovative solutions for a cloud-native platform, enhancing endpoint management for global clients. Collaborate with a dynamic team to drive impactful features and en...
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$135K - $160K *
Innovate the future of digital experiences by leading architectural strategies and solving complex technical challenges across multiple teams. Drive impactful solutions that enhance customer engagemen...
1 week ago
Senior Estimator - Life Sciences Construction
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Unlock potential by leading accurate estimating for large-scale construction projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop cost plans, streamline processes, and enhance efficiency throu...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Innovate and elevate a robust cybersecurity platform by architecting, building, and shipping features across the full stack. Collaborate with a high-performing team to enhance security, reliability, a...
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$120K - $145K *
Engineer and enhance the 1035YellowPages platform as a senior developer, responsible for full-stack development and client integration. Lead efforts in code ownership, debugging, and support while lev...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Structural Engineering Project Manager - Capital Projects
$110K - $130K *
Innovate solutions to enhance structural integrity for senior housing projects. Lead assessments and remediation strategies while collaborating with internal teams and external experts to address comp...
4 weeks ago
ERP Business Analyst Sr Stf - E5
$161K - $299K *
Engineer solutions by applying functional knowledge to design and customize SAP or PeopleSoft applications, ensuring alignment with business needs. Collaborate with teams to write requirements, develo...
1 week ago
Senior Partner Sales Manager - GCP
$150K - $180K *
Elevate your career by driving partner-led sales strategies that cultivate growth, enhance revenue, and foster executive relationships in enterprise-level digital transformation programs. Make a signi...
4 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.