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 Automation
$130K - $195K *
Join a dynamic AI Automation team to design and deliver production-grade AI agents and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency across the organization while solving complex business challenges wit...
Today
Senior Software Engineer (Platform Core)
$130K - $170K *
Transform backend services and APIs for high-volume interactions, ensuring reliability and performance. Drive platform evolution through hands-on design and implementation, collaborating with cross-fu...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$130K - $160K *
Lead the charge in shaping a robust security function, managing a team while enhancing AWS infrastructure, compliance, and application security within a remote-first culture and fast-paced environment...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior .NET Developer, SaaS Manager
$153K - $214K *
Drive the evolution of our SaaS platform as a Senior Developer focused on enhancing IT insights and governance, collaborating in a dynamic team to build scalable solutions that tackle modern challenge...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$88K - $154K *
Explore a pivotal role in advancing nuclear engineering through research and collaboration. Lead innovative projects, enhance safety protocols, and drive improvements in fuel cycle technology while ma...
1 month ago
Principal ColdFusion/.Net Developer
$110K - $130K *
Build and enhance web applications using ColdFusion, ensuring optimal performance and documentation. Collaborate on new projects while managing server administration and supporting operational tasks i...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Engineer and enhance the 1035YellowPages platform as a senior developer, responsible for full-stack development and client integration. Lead efforts in code ownership, debugging, and support while lev...
Reposted yesterday
Senior GRC Engineer (Special Programs)
$110K - $130K *
Optimize client compliance engagements by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF standards while driving operational excellence and fostering strong rel...
3 weeks ago
Senior Backend Engineer, Experimentation
$163K - $224K *
Advance innovative backend systems for a cutting-edge experimentation platform, driving impactful decisions through large-scale data solutions in a collaborative team environment, while designing and...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Product Manager, Autonomous Laboratories
$163K - $255K *
Champion the evolution of autonomous laboratories by leading product strategy, engaging with customers, and translating their needs into innovative solutions that integrate technology, workflows, and...
Today
$170K - $234K *
Drive the architecture and development of audio signal processing technology, leading complex engineering efforts and ensuring high-quality, reusable DSP components across multiple product lines...
2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead backend development and API architecture, ensuring security, performance, and data integrity while collaborating with cross-functional teams and vendors to deliver robust solutions...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, Identity & Access Discovery
$135K - $160K *
Engineer resilient backend solutions for privileged account discovery, enhancing security while navigating complex, customer-deployed environments. Collaborate on data-processing workflows using cutti...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive product strategy and execution by collaborating cross-functionally to deliver innovative solutions that enhance customer experiences and align with business goals in the automotive industry...
1 month ago
$120K - $145K *
Optimize product strategies to enhance customer experiences and drive business goals. Collaborate across teams to implement impactful solutions that align with market demands, leveraging expertise in...
1 month ago
$105K - $165K *
Innovate by leading the development of cutting-edge harness engineering solutions. Create controls that enhance the AI coding process, ensuring quality and efficiency in production through hands-on de...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the execution of VDC deliverables, ensuring quality standards while coordinating across various project phases. Collaborate with teams to enhance workflows and deliver optimal results in BIM, con...
1 month ago
$115K - $130K *
Contribute to the development and optimization of robust applications using JAVA, SQL, and JavaScript, ensuring efficient data management and exceptional client support within a dynamic team environme...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager - Dynamics ERP Implementation
$135K - $180K *
Lead the charge in managing complex projects with cross-functional teams to ensure client success and delivery excellence through strategic oversight, financial control, and collaborative governance...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer | AI Security Engineering
$170K - $230K *
Engineer scalable AI platforms to identify and address vulnerabilities in production code. Collaborate closely with security and product teams to enhance application security through automated workflo...
3 weeks ago
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Innovate your career by designing and developing safety-critical firmware for vehicle control systems. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance performance and ensure compliance with forma...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineering L5, Open Connect Platform
$388K - $500K+*
Drive impactful solutions for one of the largest CDNs by managing and optimizing our Open Connect platform through scalable microservices and data models, while collaborating with multidisciplinary te...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of dental practice management by leading software development and strategy while optimizing user experiences and ensuring compliance as we expand into new markets, collaborating with...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Software Development Engineer
$152K - $190K *
Develop high-performance networking solutions using Rust for a secure client connector. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance code quality and implement impactful features while addressin...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager, Enterprise Solutions
$174K - $218K *
Reimagine healthcare by shaping partnerships that drive innovative virtual-first care solutions. As a Senior Product Manager, you will bridge product and commercial teams, enhancing member engagement...
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.