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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in AI integration across diverse products. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll enhance capabilities, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure secure...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Optimize real-time automation solutions across manufacturing and enterprise levels. Collaborate with engineering teams to design, implement, and enhance systems using diverse programming and design to...

Richmond, VARemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Transform your career by engineering innovative automation solutions across industries. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance operational efficiency and drive real-time information systems from t...

Raleigh, NCRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$92K - $110K *

Elevate your career by engineering real-time automation solutions across industries. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, implement, and optimize systems that enhance operational efficiency and...

Philadelphia, PARemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Innovate and lead the design and development of scalable software solutions, guiding projects from concept to delivery. Mentor engineers and ensure technical excellence while collaborating with cross...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$141K - $208K *

Join a team that's redefining compliance and communications by developing scalable, cloud-native systems. You'll design impactful features, optimize performance, and mentor others while navigating com...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$180K - $220K *

Champion infrastructure innovations by owning the AI Gateway system end-to-end, making pivotal decisions on performance, scaling, and model integrations within a high-impact engineering team...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$168K - $285K *

Lead the development of Test & Code Coverage capabilities, transforming complex challenges into actionable strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance software quality and streamlin...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Drive enterprise revenue and adoption for a cutting-edge creative platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product features, streamline workflows, and ensure a seamless experience...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $216K *

Join a team that's committed to engineering resilient IAM services. In this role, you'll design and develop high-performing software solutions to enhance the IAM experience, ensuring scalability and f...

Ottawa, ONRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $195K *

Take ownership of developing and delivering software for packet forwarding engines, collaborating with engineers to design, implement, and test solutions for complex networking systems in a fast-paced...

Vancouver, BCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $165K *

Pioneer in leading a dynamic team of Solution Engineers, optimizing multi-discipline datacenter solutions across data protection, storage, compute, and networking. Drive collaboration to shape industr...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$195K - $208K *

Reimagine user experiences by leading design for core product features, ensuring seamless integration and customer delight. Collaborate across teams to enhance engagement and trust, shaping the future...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$250K - $290K *

Join a team that's redefining data platforms, leading architecture and engineering efforts while shaping and scaling a reliable, next-generation data warehouse for analytics and machine learning capab...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the design and implementation of GxP-compliant Quality applications, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance while mentoring junior team members and driving continuous improvement in a...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $140K *

Shape the future of customer success by owning technical onboarding, guiding clients through implementation, optimizing deployments, and ensuring adherence to best practices for optimal use of the pla...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$155K - $180K *

Drive successful delivery of complex, multi-year programs in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage scope, budget, and timelines while ensuring client satisfaction an...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$69K - $107K *

Champion client success by leveraging technical expertise to enhance platform value, optimize workflows, and drive measurable outcomes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative so...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$126K - $167K *

Transform your future by leading a dynamic team of electrical engineers in our Mission Critical Department. Elevate project outcomes while driving accountability, fostering growth, and cultivating inn...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Deliver high-quality software solutions by designing, developing, and maintaining enterprise-grade applications using Java, Spring Boot, and Oracle. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure s...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$171K - $300K *

Champion the evolution of a high-volume data platform, collaborating with engineering and product teams to enhance reliability and efficiency while mentoring senior engineers and driving innovative AI...

San Diego, CARemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive software development excellence by leading teams, shaping technical direction, and aligning engineering practices with business goals to deliver impactful solutions and enhance user experiences...

Alberta, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$125K - $150K *

Champion the future of patient treatment as a Principal Statistical Programmer, providing leadership in SAS programming, project management, and regulatory compliance within a global pharmaceutical en...

Cambridge, MARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to drive innovation and lead the transformation of complex systems into scalable, API-first solutions. As an Engineering Manager, you'll foster growth among engineers, ensuring qua...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$134K - $199K *

Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI agents and workflows that enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into scalabl...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.