Principal Software Engineer Jobs

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.

What Does a Principal Software Engineer Do?

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.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Career Opportunities and Compensation

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.

Find Your Next Principal Software Engineer Role

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.

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$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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...

Myrtle Point, ORRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$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...

Santa Clara, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Washington, DCRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

RemoteRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Hartford, CTRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$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...

Atlanta, GARemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$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...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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...

Canton, OHRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$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...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Hillsboro, ORRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$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...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

Puerto Rico, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Principal Software Engineer do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.