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.
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Identity Decisioning)
$181K - $241K *
Strategize and drive technical initiatives to enhance our identity verification systems, ensuring high availability and compliance in international markets. Collaborate cross-functionally to influence...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Identity Decisioning)
$204K - $264K *
Shape the identity verification landscape for international markets, leading a team in technical strategy, system design, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance and enhancing customer ex...
3 weeks ago
Senior QA Automation Engineer (HELOC)
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that’s dedicated to innovation and quality in software by leading automation testing efforts. As a pivotal Senior QA Engineer, you’ll enhance user experience through rigorous testing and c...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Contribute to the integration architecture by defining standards and strategies for hybrid solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure scalable, secure, and compliant integration flow...
3 days ago
Director of Embedded Systems Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of embedded systems engineering by leading a high-performance team, defining technical roadmaps, and integrating AI-driven workflows to deliver innovative, reliable solutions across d...
1 week ago
Associate Director, Enterprise Architecture
$170K - $190K *
Shape the enterprise architecture landscape by aligning technology across core platforms, establishing standards, and driving strategic initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join our team to design and build robust infrastructure that meets evolving regulations. Innovate by mastering new technologies and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer experien...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Data Enablement
$139K - $188K *
Drive innovative IT solutions by leading multi-disciplinary teams, establishing operational policies, and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives that enhance overall organizat...
Reposted 1 week ago
Staff Engineer - Product Development (Contact Systems)
$120K - $145K *
Champion innovative product development in power connectors and cable assemblies. Lead cross-functional teams, drive technical excellence, and mentor engineering talent to deliver high-quality, cost-e...
Reposted 4 days ago
Lead Specialist, Performance Marketing
$90K - $190K *
Innovate and optimize paid search strategies to enhance student enrollment and product adoption. Lead campaign execution, manage agency partnerships, and drive performance improvements through data an...
2 days ago
Principal Systems Security Engineer
$200K - $315K *
Create and implement robust security architectures across enterprise, cloud, and infrastructure environments, ensuring compliance with industry standards while guiding security initiatives and influen...
Reposted 6 days ago
Software Engineering Manager - Pro Quote Center, Nonstock (Remote)
$140K - $240K *
Lead the charge in engineering excellence by mentoring talent, driving scalable solutions, and fostering collaboration across teams. Partner with stakeholders to align technical direction and deliver...
3 days ago
$100K - $150K *
Lead the charge in enhancing infrastructure reliability and automation for large-scale game development projects, collaborating with teams to implement cloud solutions and streamline CI/CD processes...
3 days ago
Principal Product Manager, HTS API Marketplace
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of enterprise API solutions by defining and commercializing the HTS API Marketplace, driving product development, partner experiences, and revenue growth through innovative 0-to-1 pro...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Security Engineer, Product Security
$200K - $255K *
Shape the future of cloud security by designing and implementing robust controls. Guide integrations in DevOps, perform comprehensive assessments, and mentor teams to reduce risks in AWS and mobile in...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$210K - $225K *
Transform engineering culture by empowering teams to excel, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation. Leverage your technical acumen to lead strategic initiatives and elevate team performance w...
3 weeks ago
Senior Structural Engineer 1 - Grid
$84K - $129K *
Join a team that's dedicated to innovative structural engineering solutions. Leverage your expertise in materials and design to tackle complex challenges in power transmission upgrades, ensuring clien...
3 weeks ago
Technical Leader - Isovalent Secure Workload (Observability) (remote)
$186K - $267K *
Take ownership of technical leadership within a dynamic engineering team, enhancing software solutions for workload security. Focus on scalability, performance, security, and reliability in complex en...
Reposted today
Senior Product Manager, Monetization Platform
$130K - $219K *
Transform the monetization landscape by leading product strategies that drive market success. Collaborate across diverse product lines to enhance pricing models and optimize profitability, ensuring im...
2 weeks ago
Senior Perception Software Engineer
$224K - $356K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of autonomous driving by designing and developing cutting-edge perception solutions. Collaborate with top engineers to enhance software robustness and efficiency...
5 days ago
Senior Oracle Integration & API Engineer
$114K - $252K *
Join a team that's transforming federal HR systems by engineering integration solutions between Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM and key federal platforms to drive modernization efforts across multiple agencie...
Reposted 1 week ago
Manager, Production Site Reliability Engineering
$140K - $160K *
Lead the establishment of a Production Site Reliability Engineering team, ensuring high availability and performance of web applications while driving operational excellence and strategic improvement...
3 weeks ago
Principal Platform Product Engineer (remote)
$170K - $199K *
Drive innovation as a senior technical leader, overseeing platform architecture and developer experience design while ensuring seamless integrations across enterprise cloud solutions...
Reposted yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Lead the design and implementation of robust security measures to protect sensitive health information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulations while collaborating with cross-functional t...
3 weeks ago
System Engineering Manager, SLED (West)
$156K - $257K *
Join a team that inspires innovation and empowers technical talent in transforming data strategies. Lead high-performing Systems Engineers to create impactful storage solutions for enterprise clients...
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.