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.
Forward Deployed Engineer/Chief Role
$150K - $180K *
Drive the development of AI-native solutions, designing robust agentic systems and workflows while closely collaborating with SMEs to enhance real user value through effective feedback mechanisms and...
3 weeks ago
$170K - $240K *
Lead the charge in shaping data architecture strategies, driving innovation across platforms, and mentoring teams to optimize data governance and AI integration for scalable solutions that deliver mea...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager Product
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of product development by leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with business goals and quality standards...
6 days ago
$106K - $147K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams, shaping product roadmaps, and delivering high-quality user interfaces and APIs that enhance us...
Yesterday
Staff Software Engineer (Remote)
$135K - $190K *
Innovate scalable, cloud-native APIs with .NET and Java/Kotlin. Lead architecture discussions, enhance core offerings, and collaborate across teams to deliver high-value system components in a dynamic...
2 days ago
Staff Software Engineer, Payments (AirCover Insurance Platform)
$212K - $265K *
Advance your career by leading the design of scalable insurance systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product offerings and drive technical excellence in a dynamic environment...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to lead and manage multiple large-scale projects, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to deliver innovative software solutions in a global legal environment. Drive project succ...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Engineer robust web applications by leading full stack development, optimizing backend APIs and creating high-performance front-ends. Collaborate effectively across teams while ensuring scalable archi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$140K - $155K *
Deliver your expertise to enhance the security posture of Cloud Service Providers. Engage in comprehensive architecture reviews, compliance assessments, and technical consultations within a collaborat...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Transform the DevOps landscape by leading infrastructure automation, fostering collaboration, and championing best practices across teams, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient cloud solutions that...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Developer Marketing Manager
$134K - $160K *
Shape the future of developer marketing by leading global initiatives that drive engagement and adoption. Collaborate across teams to create impactful campaigns and ensure a unified brand voice, trans...
Today
$75K - $136K *
Elevate your career by designing and developing high-performance systems that ensure security and reliability at scale. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and optimize solutions that...
Yesterday
Senior Manager, Software Engineering, NetScout - Remote
$112K - $193K *
Engineer and enhance observability platforms to deliver actionable insights into user experience. Lead cross-functional teams to optimize performance, reliability, and automation across diverse techno...
1 week ago
Technical Lead - Ruby / Ruby on Rails
$120K - $165K *
Join a team that's committed to modernizing federal software systems. Lead technical discussions and drive the development of scalable applications using Ruby and Rails in a collaborative environment...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Transform technical leadership by overseeing Oracle architecture and AI delivery. Play a key role in building a high-performing team while engaging with customers and partners to drive innovative solu...
3 days ago
Displays Software Engineer, C/C++
$120K - $145K *
Create real-time user interface applications for automated aircraft systems, collaborating with a dynamic team of engineers. Lead the design and implementation to enhance pilot experiences, ensuring s...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Identity and Authorization
$135K - $160K *
Reimagine enterprise-grade authorization systems by designing scalable, secure solutions that enhance user access management. Lead architectural direction and foster collaboration across teams to deli...
3 days ago
Research Engineer - Data and Evaluation
$150K - $350K *
Transform the landscape of reinforcement learning by designing evaluations and environments that enhance model training and performance. Collaborate with researchers to identify and address model fail...
6 days ago
Senior Product Manager | Applied AI
$135K - $160K *
Contribute to the vision and strategy of AI-powered products, managing their lifecycle and delivery. Leverage AI tools for decision-making and mentor fellow Product Managers to enhance team capabiliti...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager | Applied AI
$135K - $160K *
Champion the vision and strategy for AI-powered products, driving their roadmap and delivery while mentoring peers. Leverage AI tools to enhance decision-making and product lifecycle management, ensur...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Platform
$187K - $220K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI in IT Operations. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll design and build innovative platform capabilities, driving impactful solutions and collaborating dir...
2 weeks ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)
$170K - $205K *
Join a dynamic team to lead AI agent deployments in healthcare. Leverage your software engineering expertise and client-facing skills to drive technical delivery, influence product development, and en...
3 days ago
Technical Program Manager, Network
$180K - $230K *
Lead complex, multi-workstream technology programs, ensuring alignment across teams and delivering customer outcomes through strategic planning, execution, and governance. Drive program success by man...
2 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive the evolution of online educational platforms by collaborating with diverse teams, championing user needs, and managing product roadmaps to enhance the overall learning experience for students a...
3 weeks ago
Principal Product Manager, Outbound
$152K - $223K *
Drive strategic initiatives across teams to achieve measurable outcomes. Lead complex programs, establish governance, and ensure alignment with product and business priorities while managing risks and...
Reposted 3 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.