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, Frontend (Consumer - Advanced Trading)
$218K - $256K *
Lead the front-end strategy for an advanced trading platform, driving performance improvements across web and mobile clients while mentoring engineers to excel in a fast-paced, innovative environment...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Software Platform Engineer (Remote in Maine)
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by designing scalable platforms that enhance machine learning capabilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and operational exce...
Today
Senior Manager, Deployed Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Manager in Deployed Engineering, leading hands-on deployments and building a high-performing team. Collaborate closely with customers and internal teams to dri...
1 week ago
Senior Infrastructure Engineer
$163K - $224K *
Transform your career by automating and improving infrastructure systems, collaborating with engineering teams, and enhancing operational efficiency as part of a dynamic team focused on self-service s...
Reposted 6 days ago
Software Engineer, Modernization
$97K - $122K *
Optimize legacy systems by implementing cloud-native architectures and AI-driven solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to reduce technical debt and enhance code quality, ensuring sustaina...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Principal Software and AI Engineer
$137K - $182K *
Architect and drive AI-powered applications for drug development, focusing on protocol generation and clinical trials. Lead technical direction, mentor engineers, and ensure compliance while fostering...
6 days ago
$180K - $220K *
Transform the engineering landscape by shaping strategy, fostering collaboration, and leading a high-performing team through rapid change. Drive innovation in AI observability while ensuring alignment...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Java, KeeperApp)
$120K - $150K *
Empower the development of key backend services and APIs, enhancing KeeperApp functionality. Leverage your expertise in Java and SQL to optimize performance while collaborating on innovative cybersecu...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$138K - $218K *
Unlock the potential of data by designing scalable architectures and solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system efficiency and drive strategic decisions while mentoring junio...
3 weeks ago
$113K - $169K *
Lead the charge in quality engineering by designing automation frameworks, mentoring teams, and driving innovative testing strategies to ensure high-performing software delivery across multiple Agile...
Yesterday
Lead Software Platform Engineer, MLOps
$200K - $270K *
Join a team pioneering AI/ML platform engineering, enhancing scalable infrastructure to empower scientific innovation. Shape the future of distributed systems and MLOps, collaborating across teams to...
Reposted 6 days ago
$145K - $175K *
Empower progress at the forefront of semiconductor technology by managing process transfers and product qualifications with cross-functional teams to ensure exceptional yield and reliability standards...
3 weeks ago
Senior Technical Content Engineer
$115K - $135K *
Engage with engineers and executives to create compelling technical content that showcases innovative CAD solutions. Deliver presentations, demos, and tutorials that highlight product features and the...
1 week ago
Staff Full Stack Software Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Reimagine your career as a Staff Full-Stack Software Engineer, leading technical direction and mentoring teams while developing a cloud-based platform that empowers forensic investigators to uncover c...
2 days ago
Sr. Software Engineer II, AI Platform
$130K - $198K *
Lead the charge in building AI platform capabilities that power next-gen experiences, enabling teams to create scalable systems and multi-step workflows. Collaborate with engineers to develop reliable...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
AI Solution/Principal Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Engineer cutting-edge AI evaluation strategies and infrastructure, ensuring quality and reliability across multi-tenant systems. Collaborate with senior teams to enhance product decisions through robu...
1 week ago
Senior Foundry Integration Engineer
$126K - $173K *
Drive integration strategies to enhance silicon photonic fabrication, collaborating with foundries to evolve processes from development to production while ensuring robust performance and reproducibil...
4 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager - Grid
$165K - $253K *
Lead the charge in managing a project team focused on high voltage substations, overseeing design, analysis, and implementation to modernize the electric grid while ensuring projects meet client speci...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $200K *
Champion the future of eco-friendly tech by building solutions for wildfire resilience. Collaborate with diverse teams in a remote-first startup to improve decision-making tools for land managers and...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of cloud-native applications by designing and developing scalable solutions that enhance Workforce Management and Customer Experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliv...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate and implement robust disaster recovery solutions for enterprise DevOps, ensuring critical infrastructure recoverability. Oversee Jenkins, Bitbucket, and JFrog Artifactory environments while e...
1 week ago
Senior Product Manager, Growth
$181K - $213K *
Transform product-led growth by crafting data-driven strategies, enhancing customer experiences with AI, and driving account expansion through collaboration and experimentation across teams...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead innovative game engine development initiatives, enhancing performance and scalability through advanced coding practices while collaborating with industry leaders in a flexible, remote work enviro...
4 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager - Machine Learning Data Enablement
$195K - $270K *
Lead a high-performing team to optimize data lifecycle processes for ML models, driving improvements in data evaluation velocity and production readiness by integrating robust infrastructures and fost...
4 weeks ago
Sr Software Developer Engineer in Test (SDET)
$128K - $157K *
Advance quality assurance by designing automated tests and frameworks, enhancing software reliability across multiple platforms. Collaborate with teams to identify gaps, improve practices, and ensure...
2 days 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.