Engineering
Principal / Lead Systems Engineer
- Posted
- Location
- Global
- Openings
- 30
Role Title: Principal / Lead Systems Engineer
Role Type: Contractor
Location: Remote - US-based preferred; candidates with strong relevant experience worldwide considered.
The company is looking for experienced Principal or Lead Systems Engineers to support an AI training project focused on complex, real-world engineering workflows. In this role, you will draw on your experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects to design realistic tasks, coordinate contributions from domain experts, and define clear technical objectives and evaluation criteria. Your expertise will help improve how AI systems plan, execute, and validate engineering work.
Scope of Work
- Design realistic engineering projects involving multiple disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, hardware, software, and manufacturing.
- Translate project objectives into clear requirements, technical constraints, and measurable acceptance criteria.
- Break complex projects into connected tasks with defined inputs, deliverables, dependencies, and expert responsibilities.
Requirements
- Substantial professional experience as a Principal Systems Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, or in a comparable technical leadership role.
- At least 20+ of weekly availability
- Proven experience leading complex engineering projects involving multiple technical disciplines.
- Strong expertise in requirements engineering, interface management, system integration, and verification and validation.
- English proficiency at B2 level or higher
Preferred Qualifications
- A relevant master's degree or PhD in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with model-based systems engineering, SysML, or requirements management tools.
- Experience leading projects from initial requirements through integration, testing, and delivery.
- Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, industrial systems, medical devices, or other complex engineering environments.
Skills
- Project management
- Cross-disciplinary technical leadership
- System integration
- Verification & validation
This role at a glance
At $150–$300/hr, the Principal / Lead Systems Engineer role comes to about $13,000–$26,000 a month for 20 hours a week, or $26,000–$52,000 a month full time — roughly $312,000–$624,000 over a full year. These are estimates before tax; contract roles are paid for the hours you work. It was posted 4 days ago. Engineering roles listed on RemoteJobsOne have stayed open a median of 59 days before closing, counted over the 39 that have closed so far.
20 hours a week
$13,000–$26,000
a month, before tax
Full time
$26,000–$52,000
a month at 40 hours a week
A full year
$312,000–$624,000
full time, 52 weeks
Open for
4 days
Engineering roles here close after about 59 days, counted over 39 that have closed. Apply while it is open.
How this pay compares
This role pays $150–$300/hr. Across the 26 hourly engineering roles open on RemoteJobsOne right now, the median runs from $63 to $121 an hour, and published rates range from $40 to $300. Its top rate of $300 sits above the category's median ceiling.
This role
$150–$300/hr
Engineering median
$63–$121/hr · full spread $40 to $300
Questions about this role
How much does the Principal / Lead Systems Engineer role pay?
It pays $150–$300/hr, which is about $26,000–$52,000 a month full time before tax. The rate is set by the employer and shown exactly as published.
Compare pay across remote rolesIs this Principal / Lead Systems Engineer job fully remote?
Yes. It is listed as a fully remote role, with the posting naming Global. You work from home, on your own equipment.
Is it full-time, part-time or contract work?
It is a contract role: you are paid for the hours you work, and you choose how many to take on within what the employer needs.
How remote contract work worksWhat skills does the Principal / Lead Systems Engineer role ask for?
The posting asks for Project management, Cross-disciplinary technical leadership, System integration and Verification & validation. Naming them clearly in your application helps.
How do I apply for Principal / Lead Systems Engineer?
Press Apply on this page and enter your name and email. We email you your personal application link straight away, and you can continue at once to the employer's hiring platform to finish. Most roles there ask for a short AI interview afterwards — voice or video, in your browser. Then watch your email: the next steps arrive there.
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