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.
Senior Software Engineer, AI Platform Integration
$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...
2 weeks ago
$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...
6 days ago
$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...
6 days ago
$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...
6 days ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, AI Inference Gateway
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Product Manager, Agentic Test Intelligence
$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...
1 week ago
Enterprise Product Manager - ElevenCreative
$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...
2 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
Senior/Lead Software Engineer (Packet Forwarding Engines)
$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...
2 weeks ago
Solution Engineering Manager (Specialty Sales)
$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...
3 weeks ago
Director of Product Design, Engage
$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...
1 week ago
Head of Data Platform Engineering
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Quality Systems Software Architect
$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...
4 weeks ago
Senior Customer Onboarding Engineer
$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...
3 weeks ago
Sr Program Manager, Client Delivery
$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...
2 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Team Lead, Electrical
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$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...
Today
Sr Staff Software Engineer (Distributed Systems | Data Ingestion | Storage | Analytics) - Remote
$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...
Today
$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...
Yesterday
Principal Statistical Programmer FSP
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Automation
$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...
Today
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.