Principal Scientist Jobs in Arlington, VA

A Principal Scientist in the chemistry industry is responsible for conducting complex research, developing new procedures, and overseeing a team of scientists to ensure all projects are completed to a high standard. They typically perform experimental tests and analyses, interpreting and presenting results, and preparing research reports and scientific papers. Their work is instrumental in contributing to the development of new products, technologies, or intellectual property. They often work closely with other departments such as Regulatory Affairs, Quality Control, and Manufacturing to ensure all scientific operations meet the necessary standards and regulations.

Important skills for a Principal Scientist include leadership, excellent written and oral communication abilities, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work well in teams. They should have a thorough understanding of various scientific techniques and principles, and be adept at problem-solving. The minimum requirement for this position is typically a PhD in Chemistry or a related field, with substantial experience in the industry. Certifications that can add value include Certified Professional Chemist (CPC) or Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP). A person might work as a Research Scientist, Senior Scientist, or Project Leader before moving into the role of a Principal Scientist.

1-15 of 20 Jobs

Principal Scientist Engineer - Decentralized Services and Networ

  • Arlington, VA
  • 14 hours ago
  • Arlington, VA
  • 14 hours ago

Principal Scientist Engineer - Decentralized Services and Networ Strategic Analysis, Inc View Employer's ProfileFOLLOW EMPLOYER Yesterday Top Secret/SCI Unspecified Unspecified IT - Hardware Arlington...

Principal Scientist/Engineer (CAP/SAP Integration Technical SME)

  • Arlington, VA
  • 14 hours ago
  • Arlington, VA
  • 14 hours ago

Principal Scientist/Engineer (CAP/SAP Integration Technical SME) Strategic Analysis, Inc View Employer's ProfileFOLLOW EMPLOYER Yesterday Top Secret/SCI Unspecified Full Scope Polygraph Arlington, VA...

Associate Principal Scientist - Protein Engineering for Oncology Cell Therapy Unit

  • Gaithersburg, MD (18 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 3 days ago
  • Gaithersburg, MD (18 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 3 days ago

Accountabilities: As an Associate Principal Scientist, you will lead various aspects of protein engineering CAR-T therapy....

Principal Scientist

  • Andrews AFB, MD (12 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 7 days ago
  • Andrews AFB, MD (12 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 7 days ago

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our MISSION is to help...

Principal Scientist, Translational Bioinformatics

  • Rockville, MD (13 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 16 days ago
  • Rockville, MD (13 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 16 days ago

Principal Scientist, Translational Bioinformatics Who We Are Arcellx isa public, clinical-stage biotechnology company reimagining cell therapy by engineering innovative immunotherapies for patients...

Principal Scientist-Engineer - Variable Trust Endpoints (C5OpsNe

  • Arlington, VA
  • 16 days ago
  • Arlington, VA
  • 16 days ago

Principal Scientist-Engineer - Variable Trust Endpoints (C5OpsNe Strategic Analysis, Inc View Employer's Profile FOLLOW EMPLOYER Yesterday Top Secret/SCI Unspecified Unspecified Arlington, VA (ON-SITE...

Principal Scientist - Toxicology Project Team Representative

  • Washington, DC (3 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 21 days ago
  • Washington, DC (3 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 21 days ago

Principal Scientist - Toxicology Project Team Representative What you will do Let's do this. Let's change the world....

Senior Chemist (Charles Co., MD/Hybrid)

  • Washington, DC (3 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 27 days ago
  • Washington, DC (3 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 27 days ago

Senior Chemist (Charles Co., MD/Hybrid) Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S) United States, D.C., Washington Jun 11, 2025 Location: Charles County, MD / Hybrid Charles County, MD is the primary...

Laboratory Manager - Dosage Form Design and Development

  • Gaithersburg, MD (18 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 29 days ago
  • Gaithersburg, MD (18 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 29 days ago

Laboratory Manager - Dosage Form Design and Development Are you passionate about drug development and eager to make a difference in the world of medicine? If so, AstraZeneca invites you to join...

Principal Scientist/Investigator

  • Rockville, MD (13 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Rockville, MD (13 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 30+ days ago

Site Name: USA - Maryland - Rockville Posted Date: Jun 9 2025 GSK is currently looking for a Principal Scientist/Investigator to join our MSAT Biologics Process Science team in Rockville, MD....

Laboratory Manager/Immunology Scientist II

  • Silver Spring, MD (10 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Silver Spring, MD (10 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 30+ days ago

Laboratory Manager/Immunology Scientist II Goldbelt, Inc. - 2.9 Silver Spring, MD Job Details Full-time $75,000 - $100,000 a year 16 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time...

Food Safety Scientist, Senior Managing Scientist

  • Washington, DC (3 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Washington, DC (3 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 45+ days ago

About Exponent Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients' most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and...

Managing Scientist (Water Resources, Agricultural, or Nutrient Management) (Ph.D.)

  • Washington, DC (3 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Washington, DC (3 miles from Arlington, VA)
  • 45+ days ago

About Exponent Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients' most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and...

Principal Scientist/Engineer (CAP/SAP Integration Technical SME) (TS/SCI #25-101) Job Code:25-101 Location:Arlington, VA FT/PT Status:Full Time Required Clearance:Top Secret SCI Candidates sought to...

Principal Scientist Engineer - Decentralized Services and Networks (C5OpsNet) (TS/SCI #25-105) Job Code:25-105 Location:Arlington, VA FT/PT Status:Full Time Required Clearance:Top Secret SCI ACO Advanced...

Demographic Data for Arlington, VA

Moving to Arlington, VA? Find some basic demographic data about Arlington, VA below.


Local
National
238,433
6,296
Large

Principal Scientist Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireChemists curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Data Scientist Nanodegree Program
What if you could recommend the perfect movie, predict housing prices to guide smart investments, or anticipate healthcare outcomes like diabetes and breast cancer? These are just a few of the...
Web App Development for Data Scientists
Gain web application building experience with this professional certificate. Use R Shiny to develop your data visualization skills in just 8 weeks! Discover How to Build Web Apps Using R Unlock...
Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 1
This 9 week course aims to teach quantum mechanics to anyone with a reasonable college-level understanding of physical science or engineering. Quantum mechanics was once mostly of interest to...

Title Synonyms

Users interested in this job title also searched for the following job titles


Salary for Principal Scientist Jobs in Arlington, VA

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireChemists research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Principal Scientist positions.



Highest Education Level

Principal Scientists in Arlington, VA offer the following education background
Doctorate Degree
47.9%
Bachelor's Degree
28.0%
Master's Degree
22.5%
Associate's Degree
0.7%
High School or GED
0.5%
Vocational Degree or Certification
0.3%
Some College
0.1%
Some High School
0.0%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Principal Scientists in Arlington, VA
None
32.8%
Less than 1 year
18.1%
1-2 years
16.9%
4-6 years
11.4%
6-8 years
7.8%
2-4 years
7.0%
10+ years
6.0%

Qualifications / Skill Sets

The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Principal Scientist position


In-Demand skills () are the most popular among employers according to the current jobs in our database. Last updated today!

Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



Principal Scientist Related Career Advice Articles

Collage displaying the five best states for chemistry jobs
5 Best States for Chemistry Jobs

Launching your chemistry career? Find out the best states for chemistry jobs and the best places for chemists to work.

Read article »
chemist volunteering in a classroom with young student
Volunteer Chemistry Opportunities

Volunteering usually calls to mind images of people building houses, serving meals at community kitchens, cleaning up playgrounds and parks, or spending time with the elderly. While these are all worthy causes, you may not realize there are also chemist volunteer opportunities. As a chemistry professional, you have a unique knowledge base and skill set that can make a big difference – whether in a third-world country or your own neighborhood.

Read article »