Principal Jobs in Illinois
Principal jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in K-12 public school districts, private and charter schools, and higher education administration, with opportunities at every level from assistant principal through district-level leadership. Chicago, Naperville, and Rockford are the state's most active hiring markets, anchored by employers such as Chicago Public Schools, the Diocese of Chicago, and Elgin Area School District U-46. The most sought-after specialties include instructional leadership, special education administration, and urban school turnaround. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Principal Scientist – Fats and Oils
The Principal ScientistFats and Oils is a senior-level role with deep technical expertise and high learning agility, enabling continued growth in product formulation and processing capabilities within Mars snacking.
The role is responsible for leading global technical initiatives inFats and Oilssustainability, contributing to snacking innovation projects and programs, evaluatingalternative and novelFats andOils ingredients, troubleshooting reformulation and processing challenges, supporting supplier management, and upskilling associates across the organization.
What are we looking for?
- Minimum of a Bachelors degree in Food Science
- Minimum 10 years of RD experience in food, beverage or consumer products company (preferably with raw material compliance and specifications experience and Fats and Oil Ingredients, Chocolate, Nutrition Bars, Salty Snacks or Confectionary)
- Knowledge of regulatory bodies including FDA and EFSA.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaborate with global teams.
Provide technical leadership to ensure the FatsOils portfolio delivers on Mars Snacking’s strategic priorities and meets the evolving needs of the business.
Own the ST FatsOils Strategy and collaborate with cross-functional associates to drive continuous improvement.
Deliver hands-on formulation, processing, quality assurance, and food safety support across global RD and production sites.
Serve as a technical project leader or subject matter expert, partnering with other ST colleagues to support sustainability initiatives and the evaluation of alternative FatsOils ingredients, advancing Mars’ sustainability goals and Net Zero by 2050.
Horizon-scan, identify, and recommend potential business opportunities aligned with strategy; monitor emerging scientific research and trends relevant to FatsOils ingredients, chocolate, nutrition bars, salty snacks, and confectionary.
Collaborate with internal teams (Scientific Regulatory Affairs, Global Quality Food Safety, Product Development, etc.) and external partners to generate scientific evidence supporting claims, messaging, and publications.
Partner with RD, Commercial teams, and other Mars segments to develop strategic relationships with key external partners and suppliers, ensuring a robust ingredient pipeline that protects and creates future growth.
Work with RD and Intellectual Property teams to proactively safeguard Mars’ intellectual property.
Represent Mars at key conferences, trade shows, and industry events to strengthen the company’s reputation within the FatsOils sector.
Support the team manager in leading team-building initiatives and serving as a role model to enhance engagement and the overall associate experience within the Ingredient Science team.
Mentor and upskill associates in technical leadership and capabilities.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.
The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.
The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting: USD 119,040.00 - USD 163,680.00
Principal Scientist – Fats and Oils
The Principal ScientistFats and Oils is a senior-level role with deep technical expertise and high learning agility, enabling continued growth in product formulation and processing capabilities within Mars snacking.
The role is responsible for leading global technical initiatives inFats and Oilssustainability, contributing to snacking innovation projects and programs, evaluatingalternative and novelFats andOils ingredients, troubleshooting reformulation and processing challenges, supporting supplier management, and upskilling associates across the organization.
What are we looking for?
- Minimum of a Bachelors degree in Food Science
- Minimum 10 years of RD experience in food, beverage or consumer products company (preferably with raw material compliance and specifications experience and Fats and Oil Ingredients, Chocolate, Nutrition Bars, Salty Snacks or Confectionary)
- Knowledge of regulatory bodies including FDA and EFSA.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaborate with global teams.
Provide technical leadership to ensure the FatsOils portfolio delivers on Mars Snacking’s strategic priorities and meets the evolving needs of the business.
Own the ST FatsOils Strategy and collaborate with cross-functional associates to drive continuous improvement.
Deliver hands-on formulation, processing, quality assurance, and food safety support across global RD and production sites.
Serve as a technical project leader or subject matter expert, partnering with other ST colleagues to support sustainability initiatives and the evaluation of alternative FatsOils ingredients, advancing Mars’ sustainability goals and Net Zero by 2050.
Horizon-scan, identify, and recommend potential business opportunities aligned with strategy; monitor emerging scientific research and trends relevant to FatsOils ingredients, chocolate, nutrition bars, salty snacks, and confectionary.
Collaborate with internal teams (Scientific Regulatory Affairs, Global Quality Food Safety, Product Development, etc.) and external partners to generate scientific evidence supporting claims, messaging, and publications.
Partner with RD, Commercial teams, and other Mars segments to develop strategic relationships with key external partners and suppliers, ensuring a robust ingredient pipeline that protects and creates future growth.
Work with RD and Intellectual Property teams to proactively safeguard Mars’ intellectual property.
Represent Mars at key conferences, trade shows, and industry events to strengthen the company’s reputation within the FatsOils sector.
Support the team manager in leading team-building initiatives and serving as a role model to enhance engagement and the overall associate experience within the Ingredient Science team.
Mentor and upskill associates in technical leadership and capabilities.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.
The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.
The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting: USD 119,040.00 - USD 163,680.00
See All 120+ Principal Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal JobsPrincipal Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Telecommunications
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Professional Educator License with Principal endorsement from ISBE required
- Master's degree in educational leadership, administration, or closely related field
- Minimum three to five years of classroom teaching experience in an accredited school
- Completion of an Illinois-approved principal preparation program recognized by ISBE
- Demonstrated experience with curriculum development, staff evaluation, and school improvement planning
- Strong familiarity with Illinois school code, ISBE compliance requirements, and state assessment frameworks
Principal Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal in Illinois?
To become a principal in Illinois, you must hold a Professional Educator License with a Principal endorsement issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. This requires a master's degree, completion of an ISBE-approved principal preparation program, and passing the Illinois Principal Licensure Examination. Candidates also need verified teaching experience in an accredited school. ISBE's Educator Licensure Information System manages the application and renewal process.
Which companies hire principals in Illinois?
Employers hiring principals in Illinois right now include Northrop Grumman, Options Clearing Corporation, and Mars, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's large urban and suburban school districts, along with a growing network of charter management organizations headquartered in Chicago, account for a significant share of the state's active openings.
Which Illinois cities have the most principal jobs?
Chicago, Illinois, and Rolling Meadows have the most principal openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share by volume given the size of Chicago Public Schools, one of the largest districts in the country, while Naperville and Rockford reflect strong hiring in the DuPage County suburbs and the state's third-largest city, each with sizable independent and charter school populations.
Are there remote principal jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. The principal role is fundamentally on-site, requiring daily presence for staff supervision, student support, and building operations. About 89% of principal openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be in virtual charter schools or district-level administrative roles rather than traditional building leadership positions.
How can I get hired as a principal in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an assistant principal or dean of students role first, which most Illinois districts treat as the direct pipeline into building leadership. Chicago Public Schools and large suburban districts like Township High School District 214 regularly post assistant principal openings that accept candidates who hold the Principal endorsement but lack formal administrative experience. Building a record in instructional coaching or department chair roles strengthens an application, and completing an Illinois-approved residency program through a university such as National Louis University adds practical standing.
Where can I find and apply to principal jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to principal jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Illinois school districts, charter networks, and private institutions. Find the roles that fit your experience and endorsement level and apply directly through each listing.
See All 120+ Principal Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Jobs