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.
$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
$98K - $140K *
Drive innovation in software development by contributing to the full lifecycle, from design to deployment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance applications and data solutions, ensuring...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive the modernization of online platforms by leveraging .NET technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance consumer-facing websites, ensuring optimal user experience through agile...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Software Engineer - Python Full Stack
$100K - $130K *
Drive the development of innovative features for a leading admissions platform, collaborating within agile teams to enhance product capabilities and deliver high-quality, scalable solutions that empow...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Empower quality through engineering excellence and automation. Drive innovation by integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, collaborating with teams to elevate software standards and preven...
3 weeks ago
Senior Game Engineer, Gen AI - Games
$315K - $500K+*
Innovate dynamic gameplay systems by leveraging Generative AI to enhance player experiences. Collaborate closely with designers to prototype and integrate AI features, ensuring seamless performance an...
2 weeks ago
Senior Platform Engineer (FedD144)
$125K - $150K *
Drive platform architecture and strategy, owning scalable production environments. Lead cross-team collaboration, mentor engineers, and advocate for DevSecOps practices while solving complex technical...
1 week ago
Principal Ai Engineer (Remote in CT)
$150K - $180K *
Innovate enterprise-grade AI systems by defining and executing technical strategies for machine learning operations and intelligent platforms, ensuring scalable and secure AI services across cloud arc...
Today
Software Engineering Manager- Eng and Data Platforms (Remote)
$135K - $160K *
Empower a talented engineering team by overseeing operations, mentoring staff, and aligning product vision with business needs. Drive high-impact initiatives in a fast-paced environment while promotin...
Reposted today
$220K - $248K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative financial products through our Banking as a Service platform, utilizing first principles thinking to create a user-focused experience while collaborating acros...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$115K - $202K *
Transform the enterprise landscape by guiding technology strategies that align business goals with IT capabilities, ensuring efficient operational performance and supporting growth through best practi...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior GTM Systems & AI Specialist
$135K - $160K *
Architect the future of our GTM technology ecosystem, enhancing data integrity and operational excellence. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive scalable solutions that elevate marketing, sales, and...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in the AEC industry. As a key member of our VDC group, you'll support design-build projects through advanced BIM technologies, ensuring efficiency and collaborati...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Technical Program Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering
$184K - $356K *
Elevate your career by leading technical strategy and execution for AI engagements. Drive collaboration among partners and customers, ensuring successful outcomes from concept to production while leve...
Yesterday
Senior Content Engineer, KnowledgeOps
$144K - $276K *
Accelerate progress at the intersection of documentation and AI by building systems that enhance knowledge sharing and streamline content workflows for developers and partners, ensuring high-quality...
5 days ago
Principal Performance and Manufacturing Architect
$232K - $368K *
Lead the development of innovative manufacturing models, ensuring alignment between design intent and production realities. Employ AI strategies to optimize workflows and enhance product yield, drivin...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$113K - $215K *
Drive transformative initiatives by leading complex, cross-functional programs to deliver impactful digital, data, and operational capabilities while aligning stakeholders and driving project success...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal - Enterprise Applications
$116K - $150K *
Drive transformative consulting solutions by leveraging SAP Finance expertise, guiding teams through project lifecycles, and engaging with C-suite stakeholders to meet evolving client needs in the Fin...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Help us lead complex New Product Introduction projects, driving cross-functional teams to achieve project goals in scope, schedule, and quality while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and...
2 weeks ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Engineer transformative solutions by integrating cutting-edge APIs into enterprise systems. Collaborate closely with clients to deploy production software efficiently while leveraging modern AI tools...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
SAP Principal Delivery Architect
$150K - $180K *
Transform customer engagements by owning solution direction across multiple accounts. Drive platform adoption, orchestrate delivery teams, and shape opportunities to ensure measurable value and long-t...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Innovate and enhance software solutions in a dynamic SaaS environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain high-quality applications while driving continuous impro...
Yesterday
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.