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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$107K - $150K *

Shape the future of our enterprise data platform by leading product strategy, defining capabilities, and ensuring alignment across business and technology teams to deliver scalable, secure, and truste...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Shape the future of digital transformation by leading a dynamic team to deliver innovative solutions that enhance business efficiency and customer experience across multi-functional AWS programs...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in technical excellence by independently managing complex DDC implementations, mentoring junior engineers, and driving continuous improvement initiatives in mission-critical data cente...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $135K *

Join a team that's dedicated to overseeing personnel and operational execution across critical Navy training programs. Lead multidisciplinary teams, manage contracts, and ensure successful program del...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $160K *

Engineer robust security solutions to protect users and partners. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance security across infrastructure, applications, and compliance, while writing production code...

New York City, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$128K - $139K *

Drive the identity lifecycle for enterprise access management, ensuring secure, reliable identity services. Collaborate with teams to enhance user experience while implementing Zero Trust principles a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$111K - $163K *

Join a team dedicated to driving successful IT project outcomes through effective management methodologies, ensuring on-time and on-budget completion while aligning with business goals and fostering c...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$157K - $238K *

Join a team that's redefining security by leveraging AI to enhance application safety. You'll assess vulnerabilities, develop innovative security solutions, and shape the AI security strategy across t...

Denver, CORemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$157K - $238K *

Lead the charge in enhancing application security by integrating AI-driven solutions, conducting assessments, and shaping the AI security strategy across the organization. Collaborate with cross-funct...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $210K *

Partner with us to drive innovative financial solutions in the healthcare sector. Leverage your Workday expertise for impactful implementations, collaborating closely with teams to transform operation...

RemoteRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $155K *

Join our dynamic team as a Senior Solutions Engineer, where you'll leverage your technical expertise to drive pre-sales activities, engage with clients, and deliver tailored solutions that enhance bus...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$154K - $212K *

Lead the charge in engineering excellence across device product areas, managing teams and driving innovation in patient engagement technology. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams while mai...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$114K - $179K *

Drive innovative technical solutions by partnering with sales teams to address complex client needs and elevate engineering workflows, ensuring successful integration of products throughout the sales...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$138K - $189K *

Champion audio innovation by developing and optimizing DSP software for embedded platforms, ensuring high-quality signal processing across diverse audio products while collaborating with cross-functio...

Framingham, MARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's dedicated to building robust and innovative data capabilities. You will design and maintain pipelines, improve data integrity, and collaborate across teams to enhance insights and s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $260K *

Transform critical government software systems by leveraging your expertise in software engineering, collaborating with a team of talented professionals committed to delivering exceptional results in...

Hanover, MDRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in optimizing supplier performance and innovation. Drive a team to enhance supplier capabilities, ensuring high-quality product delivery while fostering strategic relationships and con...

South Bend, INRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$188K - $230K *

Transform strategic visions into reality by owning product lifecycle from ideation to impact. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions, drive customer satisfaction, and ensure business...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $295K *

Lead innovative data analysis initiatives to develop contextual insights from autonomous vehicle data, driving meaningful improvements in safety and performance across mobility services...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$130K - $160K *

Lead the design and implementation of robust software for next-gen autonomous vehicle systems, enhancing safety and efficiency. Collaborate across teams to innovate and propel advancements in AI-drive...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$141K - $160K *

Advance your career by leading Agile transformations in a large financial services enterprise. Coach and mentor teams at all levels, fostering an Agile mindset and ensuring effective application of Ag...

Virginia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the development of innovative Provider Onboarding solutions, architecting robust systems and mentoring engineers to enhance mental healthcare access. Drive product implementations and build scala...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$126K - $160K *

Drive impactful software solutions by collaborating with sales teams, leading demos, and managing technical inquiries. Leverage your expertise to enhance customer experiences and support enterprise tr...

San Diego, CARemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$160K - $200K *

Lead the strategic vision and execution of an enterprise file system portfolio, ensuring market leadership through effective product strategy, customer engagement, and a high-performing product manage...

Fort Lauderdale, FLRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$152K - $205K *

Lead the charge in architecting AI-driven solutions for enterprise clients, transforming complex data governance challenges into actionable insights. Collaborate with stakeholders to shape product evo...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information 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.