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.
Full Stack Software Engineer - Secret
$103K - $181K *
Shape the future of secure software by developing full-stack applications that support critical government missions. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver reliable, scalable solutions in dynamic e...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, SRE and Production Engineering - DGX Cloud
$184K - $287K *
Transform production infrastructure by automating bare-metal provisioning and enhancing GPU capacity management. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability and efficiency in AI workloads, driving...
1 week ago
$83K - $124K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, enhancing software delivery and operational stability for enterprise applications while collaborating with cross-functiona...
Today
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of cloud infrastructure by managing a vast AWS estate. Drive automation, maintain platform health, and deliver new features while ensuring compliance in a regulat...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Engage your expertise to lead complex HL7 integrations across healthcare systems, enhancing interoperability and data-sharing capabilities. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful implement...
3 weeks ago
$91K - $141K *
Join a dedicated team transforming legacy systems into modern, cloud-native architectures. Utilize your software development skills in a collaborative environment focused on application modernization...
4 weeks ago
Senior Interoperability Architect
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in developing interoperability specifications for Veteran health information exchange, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance standards and ensure compliance with federal...
3 weeks ago
Staff Application Security Engineer
$182K - $215K *
Join our team to oversee application security, manage vulnerability pipelines, and collaborate with engineering teams to enhance security practices. Drive incident response and advocate for security a...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer 4 (Commercial Nuclear)
$113K - $178K *
Drive your career with a senior role focused on software development for control room simulators, collaborating with engineers to enhance plant models and ensure high-quality deliverables in a dynamic...
1 week ago
Staff Enterprise Developer Advocate
$171K - $235K *
Develop and lead education-first technical sessions within enterprise accounts, fostering collaboration with engineers to build champions, enhance user knowledge, and uncover opportunities for expansi...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$102K - $231K *
Empower innovation by delivering key technical features and mentoring teams. Collaborate across departments to enhance software quality and performance while driving the architectural direction of log...
Today
$102K - $231K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions that enhance customer experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality applications while optimizing performance...
1 week ago
$121K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative fleet payment solutions by leveraging your full-stack expertise. Collaborate across disciplines to design, build, and launch scalable applications that enhance ex...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Grafana Search & Storage | US | Remote
$154K - $185K *
Join our dynamic team to develop next-gen storage solutions, enhancing Grafana's App Platform. Collaborate on innovative features, drive projects from ideation to operations, and contribute to an open...
Yesterday
Staff Software Engineer, Billing and Monetization
$100K - $300K *
Join our team to lead the development of robust billing and monetization infrastructure, ensuring seamless payment integrations and scalable solutions for our customers. Drive innovation in usage-base...
2 weeks ago
Advanced Specialist, Technology Solutions
$110K - $120K *
Explore a pivotal role in leading complex analysis across systems, driving alignment among stakeholders, and enhancing technology solutions. Collaborate with diverse teams to translate business needs...
1 week ago
Staff Front End Software Engineer
$150K - $175K *
Shape the future of investment technology by developing scalable front-end applications using React and TypeScript. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences and drive innova...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on validating and optimizing Azure developer desktops. You'll design automated tests, ensure security compliance, and enhance performance metrics...
2 days ago
Senior Partner Solutions Engineer, Technical Partnerships
$120K - $145K *
Drive your career with a pivotal role managing technical partnerships, scoping integrations, and ensuring successful collaboration between engineering teams and partners. Shape strategic conversations...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $210K *
Drive complex enterprise SaaS projects with a focus on alignment, execution, and risk management while engaging with stakeholders across all levels to ensure successful implementations and foster cont...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$170K *
Lead the charge in engineering excellence by managing API, Web, and Mobile teams, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with product goals while driving technical ownership and fostering team grow...
Today
$100K - $150K *
Join our dynamic team as a Senior Engine Programmer, where you'll design and optimize core game engine systems, collaborating with external developers to enhance performance across multiple games. You...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Optimize creative production through advanced AI and dynamic workflows, empowering a high-velocity studio to deliver personalized, high-performing marketing assets on a global scale while maintaining...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, SRE and Production Engineering - DGX Cloud
$152K - $287K *
Join a team that builds and operates large-scale GPU infrastructure for AI workloads. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop automation and tools, ensuring reliability and efficiency in pr...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager, Core Banking Implementations
$90K - $110K *
Lead core banking system conversions for credit unions, ensuring seamless project delivery through effective stakeholder communication, data migration, and interface integration, while managing risks...
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.