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
$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
Program Manager, Tooling and Integrations
$190K - $234K *
Empower transformative initiatives as you manage strategic technical programs across engineering and operations, driving excellence in tooling and integrations while mentoring a high-performing team i...
2 weeks ago
Quality Engineering Lead / Automation Architect
$117K - $143K *
Join a team that's redefining quality engineering by leading the transition to automation. Drive strategy, mentor a global QA team, and enhance testing frameworks to ensure high-quality software deliv...
1 week ago
$280K - $330K *
Empower a dynamic engineering team by leading technical architecture, enhancing system reliability, and driving scalable solutions that support rapid growth in a fast-paced fintech environment. Foster...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate our software engineering capabilities by designing and building modern, cloud-native data pipelines. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure seamless project delivery and advocate for best pr...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Autonomy Actions Sustaining
$172K - $229K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of autonomous vehicle software by diagnosing and deploying solutions. Join a dynamic team to enhance capabilities and resolve complex challenges in a high-stakes e...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Accelerate your career by designing and optimizing secure, scalable cloud infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and ensure high availability for glo...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer III - Guidewire (Claims Center)
$64K - $147K *
Join a dynamic team to design, develop, and support innovative applications and systems. Leverage your coding expertise in various languages to enhance software solutions while ensuring adherence to i...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Build your career as a Software Architect, driving Cloud-Native solutions for the Royal Canadian Navy. Collaborate on innovative projects, enhance operational readiness, and develop cutting-edge train...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Drive the development of secure, decentralized systems using CRDTs, optimizing AI operations across diverse environments while ensuring performance, reliability, and data privacy standards are met thr...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform legacy systems into modern applications, leveraging your expertise in IBMi and collaborating with international teams to meet diverse client needs. Drive innovation and excellence in system...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer (Node & Vue)
$125K - $150K *
Empower innovation through full-stack development with a focus on AI. Leverage expertise in Node.js and Vue.js to deliver scalable enterprise applications while mentoring others and shaping architectu...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Shape the future of healthcare solutions by leading the design of innovative systems. Collaborate with engineering teams and architectural experts to create coherent, actionable designs for business a...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Empower innovation by leading the design and delivery of scalable software solutions while mentoring developers and optimizing performance across multiple tech stacks...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Backend Engineer (Remote)
$133K - $179K *
Pioneer innovative backend solutions by designing scalable microservices for eCommerce platforms. Lead architecture, optimize integrations, and mentor engineers while driving best practices in API des...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Containers
$205K - $231K *
Unlock potential by driving the technical direction and excellence of our stack. In this Staff Engineer role, you'll develop, mentor, and innovate within our Containers team, ensuring product quality...
Reposted 1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Contribute to innovative AI solutions by leading a delivery squad, driving architecture, and mentoring engineers. Embrace AI-assisted coding practices to enhance delivery quality and efficiency while...
1 week ago
Lead Cloud Software Engineer - Remote
$112K - $193K *
Drive the architecture and development of cloud-native infrastructure across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Lead initiatives in cloud governance, security, and automation while promoting engineering excellence...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior/Lead CA Gen Engineer - Mainframe Modernization (Remote)
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in transforming legacy systems by leveraging your CA Gen expertise to modernize applications and drive technical innovation within a collaborative engineering team...
3 weeks ago
Senior/Lead CA Gen Engineer - Mainframe Modernization (Remote)
$125K - $150K *
Transform legacy technology by leading modernization efforts, utilizing your deep expertise in CA Gen and COBOL. Collaborate within a dynamic team to design specifications that support the successful...
3 weeks ago
$155K - $165K *
Develop a cutting-edge data ecosystem as a Senior Data Engineer, enhancing analytics, reporting, and machine learning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create efficient pipelines and accessi...
Reposted 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.