Principal Scientist Jobs in Virginia

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 25 Jobs

Senior Principal Analytical Chemist

  • Petersburg, VA
  • 1 day ago
  • Petersburg, VA
  • 1 day ago

This is an exciting opportunity for individuals with analytical chemistry experience to develop and perform analytical experiments under the direction of the Director, Analytical Chemistry, or other...

Principal Analytical Chemist

  • Petersburg, VA
  • 1 day ago
  • Petersburg, VA
  • 1 day ago

This is an exciting opportunity for individuals with analytical chemistry experience to develop and perform analytical experiments under the direction of the Director, Analytical Chemistry or other...

Senior Chemist (Charles Co., MD/Hybrid)

  • Alexandria, VA
  • 1 day ago
  • Alexandria, VA
  • 1 day ago

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

Senior Chemist/Hazardous Waste Characterization Specialist

  • Arlington, VA
  • 7 days ago
  • Arlington, VA
  • 7 days ago

SC&A is seeking a Senior Chemist or Chemical Engineer with strong knowledge of the the characterization of solid and hazardous wastes per the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)....

Principal Scientist- Petersburg, VA

  • Petersburg, VA
  • 9 days ago
  • Petersburg, VA
  • 9 days ago

Principal Scientist- Petersburg, VA Phlow Corp United States, Virginia, Petersburg Jun 03, 2025 Description The Principal Scientist will possess an in-depth knowledge of process chemistry skills for...

Principal Scientist, PAT

  • Petersburg, VA
  • 9 days ago
  • Petersburg, VA
  • 9 days ago

Principal Scientist, PAT Phlow Corp United States, Virginia, Richmond Jun 03, 2025 Description This is a non-supervisory, technical position in Phlow's R D and Manufacturing spaces....

Engineering Laboratory Manager

  • Selma, VA
  • 9 days ago
  • Selma, VA
  • 9 days ago

Engineering Laboratory Manager Munters Jun 03, 2025 About Us: Munters is a global leader in climate solutions for mission-critical processes. We offer innovative, efficient and sustainable...

Senior Principal Scientist - Clinical Pharmacology India - Full time Deadline: June 29, 2025 Alvotech is looking to hirea Senior Principal Scientist to lead and innovate within our clinical pharmacology...

Senior Principal Scientist - Clinical Pharmacology Reykjavik (Iceland) - Full time Deadline: June 29, 2025 Overview of role: Alvotech is looking to hirea Senior Principal Scientist to lead and innovate...

Senior Principal Scientist - Clinical Pharmacology Stockholm, Sweden - Full time Deadline: June 29, 2025 Alvotech is looking to hirea Senior Principal Scientist to lead and innovate within our clinical...

PFAS Laboratory Manager

  • Richmond, VA
  • 15 days ago
  • Richmond, VA
  • 15 days ago

PFAS Laboratory Specialist Job Description We are seeking a PFAS Laboratory Specialist who is passionate about driving excellence in analytical methods and laboratory operations. This role is...

Principal Scientist, PAT

  • Richmond, VA
  • 22 days ago
  • Richmond, VA
  • 22 days ago

Hands-on experience with and willingness to operate a wide range of analytical instrumentation including, but not limited to HPLC, GC, MS, FTIR spectroscopy, NIR spectroscopy Raman spectroscopy, 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...

Principal Scientist-Engineer - Variable Trust Endpoints (C5OpsNet) (TS/SCI #25-106) Job Code:25-106 Location:Arlington, VA FT/PT Status:Full Time Required Clearance:Top Secret SCI ACO Advanced Resilience...

Demographic Data for Virginia

Moving to Virginia? Find some basic demographic data about Virginia below.


Local
National
8,631,637
205,142

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...
Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 2
This course covers key topics in the use of quantum mechanics in many modern applications in science and technology, introduces core advanced concepts such as spin, identical particles, the...
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 Virginia

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 Virginia offer the following education background
Doctorate Degree
48.0%
Bachelor's Degree
28.0%
Master's Degree
22.4%
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 Virginia
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



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