Principal Software Engineer Jobs

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.

What Does a Principal Software Engineer Do?

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.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Career Opportunities and Compensation

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.

Find Your Next Principal Software Engineer Role

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.

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$150K - $180K *

The Security Program Manager will be responsible for securing OpenAI's critical product launches by coordinating security reviews and managing risks across cross-functional teams. This role ensures th...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$119K - $215K *

Drive your career by leading cross-functional teams to execute complex technical programs. Leverage your expertise in program management and communication to align engineering efforts with strategic g...

Cambridge, MARemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $175K *

Shape the future of the Ontology Platform by driving data engineering initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions, and managing onboarding processes for new data source...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Drive operational excellence by designing and maintaining secure, scalable infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance deployment processes and system observability, ensuring re...

Hoboken, NJRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$156K - $196K *

Optimize core processing systems by writing and reviewing production code, enhancing reliability and performance. Lead initiatives to improve transaction routing and authorization, while mentoring eng...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$198K - $297K *

Join us to lead the design and evolution of a cutting-edge Real-Time Analytics Platform, driving high-throughput, low-latency data solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance scalabi...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$114K - $191K *

Lead the charge in shaping high-impact SaaS solutions by driving technical strategy and empowering a high-performing engineering team. Collaborate across disciplines to foster innovation in a fast-pac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$185K - $195K *

Inspire a talented team as you architect and build a robust ontology platform, ensuring data integrity and operational efficiency in a complex financial services landscape. Balance leadership with han...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate your career by shaping innovative workflows and AI-driven experiences. Join a dynamic team where ownership, speed, and user-focused product development are paramount. Contribute across the...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the design and delivery of scalable banking features, ensuring reliability and security in real-time money movement. Mentor engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams to create high-qu...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $200K *

Unlock potential by designing and building innovative billing systems that simplify financial transactions and maximize reimbursements, while leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and user experience in...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$197K - $257K *

Champion the transformation of connected content into actionable knowledge within Confluence. Drive strategy, ensure quality, and enhance user experience by managing content organization and freshness...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $140K *

Pioneer innovative electrical design solutions while leading projects from concept to completion. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure compliance and efficiency, mentoring junior engine...

Ottawa, ONRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $160K *

Transform your career by leading a high-impact Developer Infrastructure team. Drive technical strategy, enhance developer experience, and foster a culture of growth and accountability while collaborat...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Lead strategic product initiatives in advanced surgical technologies, driving development and commercialization efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance orthopedic outcomes and proc...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Develop and optimize scalable web applications using TypeScript, Java, and Node.js. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative AI-powered solutions while ensuring code quality and performance in a d...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $120K *

Optimize project delivery by leading cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of SaaS engagements. Foster strong client relationships while managing scope, timelines, and budgets to meet...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$166K - $230K *

Champion the development of innovative backend and full-stack solutions, leading complex projects that enhance borrower experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, sc...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$202K - $253K *

Elevate your leadership as you drive engineering excellence, overseeing multiple squads from prototype to production. Shape the roadmap, empower teams, and ensure quality delivery while staying techni...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$164K - $226K *

Transform the identity and access landscape by designing scalable systems for user management, authentication, and authorization. Collaborate with security teams to ensure robust, secure solutions tha...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$158K *

Lead the charge in delivering impactful solutions for Veterans by managing a cross-functional agile team, driving product direction, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders to enhance...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $205K *

Lead a dynamic engineering team in developing autonomous operations for satellite management. Drive innovation and efficiency across multiple projects while ensuring technical excellence and operation...

Seattle, WARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Innovate strategies for growth by leveraging AI, automation, and data pipelines to build scalable systems that enhance demand and pipeline generation. You will own the technical aspects that drive Eon...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing application performance and reliability. Leverage your expertise in Oracle WebLogic, IIS, and SFTP systems to support production environments and enhance ope...

South Carolina, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the development of innovative Microsoft-based platforms, driving modernization and AI integration while ensuring robust, scalable, and secure solutions in a highly regulate...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Principal Software Engineer do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.