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 Mechanical Application Engineer
$115K - $150K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative mechanical solutions for prefabricated platforms. Leverage your expertise in HVAC to lead the development and ensure alignment with customer and operational goals...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Drive your career with a dynamic team focused on building innovative products that delight users. As a Product Manager, you'll lead impactful projects, collaborate closely with engineers, and shape th...
Yesterday
Senior Engineering Manager, Clinical
$260K - $310K *
Transform the engineering landscape by leading dual teams in the Clinical Division, driving technical excellence and career growth, while effectively managing product delivery and leveraging AI capabi...
3 weeks ago
Principal Product Manager, Customer Experience
$120K - $150K *
Join a team that's redefining the customer experience in utilities by building a seamless, AI-driven self-service platform. You'll lead initiatives to enhance digital interactions, ensuring a proactiv...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, iOS Platform
$217K - $303K *
Innovate the future of iOS development by architecting scalable solutions for Reddit's mobile app. Lead technical direction, mentor engineers, and enhance developer efficiency to support 100M+ DAUs wh...
Yesterday
Senior Software Developer - Databases
$100K - $140K *
Join a team that's modernizing healthcare data access by refactoring SQL Server databases. As a Senior Software Developer, you'll enhance workflows, optimize performance, and ensure secure, efficient...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing impactful product experiences from concept to delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create user-friendly, AI-enhanced solutions that drive efficiency in ins...
2 weeks ago
Principal, Global CPQ & Deal Process
$130K - $160K *
Unlock the potential of global quoting processes by owning the end-to-end CPQ workflow. Drive innovation and efficiency through Salesforce integrations, leading implementation projects while enhancing...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Forward Deployed Full Stack Engineer (Active Secret Clearance)
$120K - $145K *
Drive impactful software solutions by embedding with clients, transforming ambiguous needs into deployable features across secure environments. Collaborate closely with users and stakeholders to deliv...
Today
Principal, Software Engineering
$156K - $215K *
Shape the future of enterprise Quality Engineering by leading automation tools and onboarding initiatives. Drive best practices, enhance tool adoption, and optimize testing solutions to improve delive...
Reposted 3 days ago
Back-End Software Engineer (Contractor)
$120K - $140K *
Drive innovative software solutions as a Senior Back-End Software Engineer, collaborating across domains to enhance systems and API architecture. Engage with diverse teams to deliver quality software...
Reposted yesterday
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in engineering excellence, overseeing a team of 60 while driving AI initiatives and enhancing operational strategies. Collaborate with product leadership to elevate engineering practic...
1 week ago
Principal Cloud Computing Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Elevate cloud solutions by designing, deploying, and managing scalable Azure infrastructures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal performance, security, and compliance while driv...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us to empower enterprise customers with innovative sourcing solutions, manage complex RFPs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive procurement success while leveraging cutting-edge...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Explore opportunities to partner with engineers and stakeholders, translating technical discussions into actionable deliverables while supporting CI/CD initiatives and repository governance with a foc...
2 weeks ago
$137K - $245K *
Shape the future of physical operations by driving AI-powered product innovation. Collaborate across teams to identify customer needs, prototype solutions, and deliver impactful products that enhance...
Today
$137K - $245K *
Lead the charge in driving strategic initiatives and product innovation within the Telematics Business Unit, enhancing core offerings and exploring new market opportunities through hands-on collaborat...
1 week ago
$114K - $167K *
Drive impactful SAP BRIM projects by leading cross-functional teams, managing client relationships, and ensuring project alignment with business goals. Foster innovation and quality while optimizing r...
6 days ago
Senior Customer Success Manager
$120K - $130K *
Accelerate your career by managing a portfolio of mid-market accounts, ensuring customer success through strategic engagement, relationship building, and AI-driven insights. Drive measurable outcomes...
2 weeks ago
Director, Mainframe Systems Programming
$135K - $205K *
Lead the charge in delivering client-focused mainframe solutions. Oversee diverse projects, manage teams, and leverage strategic insights to enhance hardware and software lifecycle management while fo...
2 weeks ago
Principal Product Manager - UGC
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of user-generated content by leading product strategy and execution. Drive improvements in quality, trust, and customer activation while collaborating across teams to enhance the cont...
3 weeks ago
Senior Technical Program Manager - EDA Cluster Builds and Decoms
$200K - $322K *
Lead the charge in optimizing infrastructure programs that power our cutting-edge EDA ecosystem. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution and strategic planning, driving op...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Take ownership of impactful projects, designing and implementing robust backend systems with a high-performing team. Collaborate, innovate, and contribute to a culture of speed, quality, and continuou...
Reposted 2 days ago
Technical Program Manager (Software Engineer)
$140K - $165K *
Empower teams by leading complex, cross-functional programs that enhance cloud infrastructure. Drive execution through ambiguity, ensuring high-impact delivery while collaborating with engineering and...
1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Lead a high-performance engineering team, driving strategy and innovation for Corporate Payments services while aligning technology with business goals. Foster collaboration and continuous improvement...
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.