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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$125K - $150K *

Unlock potential by enhancing application security across web apps and APIs. Collaborate with engineering teams to assess risks, conduct reviews, and drive secure software practices throughout the dev...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$185K - $230K *

Advance your career by ensuring seamless performance of AI systems in diverse environments. Collaborate with customers and teams, automating and maintaining infrastructure for reliability across uncla...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Empower your career by bridging sales and engineering as a key technical resource. You'll scope, quote, and support customer needs for low and medium-voltage switchgear solutions, ensuring alignment w...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by architecting and building intelligent workflows to integrate models and enterprise data into scalable, production-ready solutions that ensure compliance...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Transform customer engagement by delivering tailored product demonstrations, guiding technical discussions, and architecting solutions that meet unique educational needs across diverse sectors...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Champion the successful delivery of customer projects through all phases, ensuring alignment with business goals by coordinating teams and resources while managing risks and transacting key communicat...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$70K - $100K *

Take ownership of the Virtual Care Platform by developing and maintaining features in a Python/Django codebase, enhancing internal tools, and ensuring production reliability while collaborating with s...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Grow expertise in advanced BAS applications while mentoring peers, troubleshooting complex systems, and supporting projects throughout their lifecycle to drive success and foster innovation in buildin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $110K *

Join a dynamic team in managing project lifecycles by applying proven methodologies. You will lead diverse project teams, enhance client satisfaction, and promote continuous improvement while driving...

Philadelphia, PARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to architect innovative solutions across diverse systems, transforming complex challenges into user-friendly experiences. Collaborate closely with product and design to drive impac...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$124K - $156K *

Shape the future of AI Services by owning product strategy and execution. Collaborate with engineering teams to define agentic capabilities, drive tool strategies, and establish AI quality standards t...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $300K *

Pioneer partner success by leading technical enablement for contact center solutions. Drive onboarding, co-selling support, and strategic architecture using Zendesk and AWS technologies to empower par...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$190K - $215K *

Drive security innovation by architecting robust DevSecOps solutions for cloud and on-premises systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure cybersecurity compliance and enhance BlackSky’s leadership in...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of electrical safety and engineering by leading global programs, ensuring compliance, and driving continuous improvement across multiple sites while mentoring teams and enhancing oper...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$132K - $182K *

Drive program execution across high-priority workstreams in Customer Outcomes, managing threat intelligence partnerships and AI model initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure tim...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $190K *

Join our team to lead quality engineering transformations across multiple platform portfolios, championing automation and innovation while developing exceptional engineering talent to elevate quality...

Virginia, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Champion the evolution of identity security by leading product management for our core identity graph and correlation services, ensuring seamless integration and access control across platforms while...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$72K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team as you collaborate on innovative electrical designs, progressing from basic tasks to complex projects while ensuring quality and efficiency in a supportive environment...

CanadaRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$121K - $170K *

Lead the execution of Workplace Office Space Fit-Out projects, ensuring design integration and adherence to standards. Collaborate with clients and teams to manage construction activities, budgets, an...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$144K - $189K *

Transform your career by leading product development for FedRAMP Moderate applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive compliance, optimize the roadmap, and enhance customer value in...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's committed to designing and developing innovative full stack applications, collaborating across functions to deliver effective technical solutions and enhance business processes in a...

Sterling, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Pioneer the development of secure platform capabilities for enterprise clients, collaborating across teams to define product scope, manage complex requirements, and ensure successful delivery in highl...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $275K *

Partner with us to drive technical solutions for enterprise clients, showcasing product value through demos and proof-of-concept activities. Collaborate with sales and technical teams to enhance custo...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$118K - $180K *

Champion the development of Advanced Deposition Materials by leading New Product Introductions from concept to high volume manufacturing, ensuring cross-functional alignment and delivering quality pro...

Connecticut, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$118K - $180K *

Champion innovative product development by leading cross-functional teams to drive New Product Introductions in Advanced Deposition Materials, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.