Explore Principal Software Engineer jobs for experienced technologists ready to shape architecture, guide engineering teams, and solve complex technical challenges. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more, helping you find senior roles that match your expertise and career goals.
Principal Software Engineers provide technical leadership across products, platforms, or engineering organizations. They design scalable systems, establish engineering standards, evaluate architectural tradeoffs, and partner with product, security, and operations teams. Depending on the organization, the role may involve mentoring engineers and influencing roadmaps without direct people-management responsibilities.
Employers commonly seek deep software development experience, strong system design and architecture skills, and expertise in one or more programming languages or technology domains. Successful candidates communicate clearly, make sound decisions amid ambiguity, and build alignment across teams. Experience with cloud infrastructure, distributed systems, reliability, security, or data platforms may be valuable depending on the role.
Principal-level positions are available across industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, retail, and business services. Compensation varies by employer, location, scope, and specialization. Browse Ladders for vetted opportunities paying $100,000 or more, and review each listing for its stated salary range, responsibilities, and requirements.
Use Ladders to discover senior engineering opportunities aligned with your experience. Compare roles by industry, location, and technical focus, then tailor your application to highlight measurable impact, architectural leadership, and the systems you have helped deliver.
Staff Software Engineer, Program Structure & Trust
$150K - $180K *
Innovate by owning the architectural foundation for enterprise compliance. Lead complex initiatives, design scalable solutions, and drive alignment across teams to enhance security programs for divers...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Unlock your potential as a Lead Data Software Engineer, driving innovative data solutions and leading cross-functional teams to enhance our data infrastructure and ensure scalability and performance a...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer II, Engineering
$125K - $145K *
Lead the charge in building impactful software features that enhance educators' management of English Learner programs, taking ownership from design to operation in a full-stack environment utilizing...
Reposted 2 days ago
Technical Project Manager: Core Bank Modernization
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in a core banking modernization initiative, managing day-to-day operations, navigating ambiguity, and building relationships across teams to ensure project success and stakeholder enga...
2 weeks ago
Principal Experience Architect
$181K - $204K *
Design innovative user experiences across diverse platforms, ensuring impactful interactions that connect educators, students, and admins through a cohesive product ecosystem while maintaining strateg...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $200K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative financial technology solutions, enhancing applications through full stack development. Collaborate across teams, mentor peers, and drive improvements in scalab...
4 days ago
Staff Software Engineer, Certificate Lifecycle Management
$135K - $160K *
Lead the architecture of certificate lifecycle management capabilities that enhance security across complex environments, collaborating with product and engineering teams to build scalable systems tha...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior or Staff Software Engineer
$175K - $350K *
Advance your skills by tackling complex engineering challenges and driving impactful product development. Join a dynamic, hands-on environment where you have the freedom and responsibility to shape so...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineering Manager
$150K - $180K *
Engage in leading a diverse technical team to drive innovative engineering solutions, ensuring alignment with business objectives while fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and t...
3 days ago
Principal Network Engineer - Edge & Customer Connectivity
$150K - $180K *
Unlock your potential as a senior technical authority, leading enterprise connectivity solutions and driving network modernization initiatives. Collaborate with teams to enhance B2B connectivity and o...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $135K *
Transform healthcare by developing cloud-native solutions that enhance radiology workflows. As a Senior Software Developer, you'll lead full-stack projects on AWS, ensuring quality and security while...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure
$212K - $265K *
Elevate your career by developing cutting-edge cloud infrastructure that powers seamless operations across teams. Collaborate with talented engineers to enhance reliability, scalability, and efficienc...
Reposted 3 days ago
Sr. Engineer, Project Engineering
$100K - $130K *
Partner with us to design and implement secure, scalable network solutions. Leverage your expertise in networking technologies to enhance performance and reliability while collaborating with cross-fun...
1 week ago
Sr Principal Program Mgr, PIC Data Eng
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in developing next-gen data platforms, driving strategic insights and AI solutions. Oversee data architecture, governance, and quality, while mentoring a high-performing team to foster...
6 days ago
Sr. Staff Software Engineer, Data Product Platform
$208K - $429K *
Transform data ecosystems by leading strategic initiatives for data warehouses, analytics tools, and governance, driving impactful solutions for complex business challenges at scale while mentoring en...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Integrated Workflows
$125K - $150K *
Optimize integration capabilities within a dynamic software environment, leading the design and implementation of robust APIs and services while mentoring team members and enhancing project workflows...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Home Design Experience
$130K - $160K *
Shape the future of home design by leading technical architecture and delivery for a groundbreaking 3D application, collaborating closely with product teams to transform ideas into seamless experience...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$190K - $225K *
Optimize system performance by building scalable, robust services. Collaborate across teams to design public APIs, ensuring high-quality integration for retailers. Mentor others and evolve solutions t...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Platform Engineer -AI / Platform Lead
$135K - $160K *
Transform your career by leading platform engineering initiatives that enhance developer experience and operational excellence. Drive technical ownership across the software lifecycle, shaping the pla...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Empower a transformative team as you enhance employer benefits through elegant full stack engineering, delivering scalable, secure systems for seamless financial interactions across diverse platforms...
4 weeks ago
Senior Staff Software Engineer, Content Intelligence
$144K - $241K *
Lead the charge in architecting and enhancing AI systems that empower global journalism. Drive technical direction, ensure system scalability, and mentor engineers while shaping the future of content...
1 week ago
$160K - $175K *
Join a team that's redefining data solutions through innovative full-stack engineering. Collaborate on cutting-edge projects involving AI, big data, and efficient APIs, while fostering career growth i...
2 weeks ago
Senior Microsoft Software Engineer - Remote
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of endpoint management by crafting secure, high-performance software solutions in C# and .NET. Collaborate on architectural design and drive the delivery of innovative product capabil...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Data Focused
$130K - $140K *
Contribute to the development of a modern platform by building features, connecting systems, and improving data usability. Engage with stakeholders and troubleshoot to deliver reliable software as par...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Audit (Full Stack)
$135K - $160K *
Unlock potential by driving innovative, AI-powered financial audit solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design agent-driven experiences and own complex onboarding workflows for major...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
What does a Principal Software Engineer do?
A Principal Software Engineer leads technical direction across significant systems or teams, making architecture decisions, solving complex engineering problems, and helping establish standards. The role is often an individual-contributor position, though responsibilities differ by company.
What qualifications are needed for Principal Software Engineer jobs?
Employers typically look for extensive software engineering experience, advanced system design skills, proficiency in relevant technologies, and a record of delivering reliable, scalable systems. Communication, mentoring, and cross-functional influence are also commonly important.
How much do Principal Software Engineers earn?
Pay varies based on location, industry, employer, specialization, and role scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for compensation details.
Are Principal Software Engineer roles management positions?
Not necessarily. Many Principal Software Engineers are senior individual contributors who influence technical strategy and mentor colleagues without managing direct reports. Some companies combine technical leadership with management duties.
Where can I find Principal Software Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Browse Principal Software Engineer listings on Ladders to explore vetted opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more and compare roles by their requirements, responsibilities, and location.