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Amazon Principal Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Join Amazon S3 as a Principal Engineer and help shape the future of storage technology that powers businesses and services across the globe. At Amazon S3, we manage data at a scale that most can only ...

Principal Software Engineer, S3 Keystone

Seattle, WA · On-site

$153K - $206K/yr

Join Amazon S3 as a Principal Engineer and help shape the future of storage technology that powers businesses and services across the globe. At Amazon S3, we manage data at a scale that most can only ...

As a Principal Engineer, you will be responsible for leading the design, development, and ... Strong experience with Amazon Web Services * Experience with Scrum and other Agile processes

Principal Software Engineer, S3 Keystone

Seattle, WA · On-site

$153K - $206K/yr

Join Amazon S3 as a Principal Engineer and help shape the future of storage technology that powers businesses and services across the globe. At Amazon S3, we manage data at a scale that most can only ...

Principal Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$250K - $290K/yr

As a Principal Engineer, you will be responsible for leading the design, development, and ... Strong experience with Amazon Web Services * Experience with Scrum and other Agile processes

Principal Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$250K - $290K/yr

As a Principal Engineer, you will be responsible for leading the design, development, and ... Strong experience with Amazon Web Services * Experience with Scrum and other Agile processes

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Amazon Principal Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do amazon principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for amazon principal engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Amazon Principal Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Amazon Principal Engineer, you need deep expertise in software engineering, system architecture, and scalable distributed systems, supported by a strong technical degree and extensive industry experience. Mastery of cloud platforms (like AWS), programming languages (such as Java, C++, or Python), and familiarity with CI/CD tools are typically expected. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and mentor cross-functional teams make someone stand out in this role. These skills are vital for driving technical vision, delivering complex solutions at scale, and ensuring alignment across large engineering organizations.

How does a Principal Engineer at Amazon typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive large-scale projects?

As a Principal Engineer at Amazon, you will frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams that include product managers, data scientists, and engineering teams across different domains. Your role often involves providing technical leadership, aligning stakeholders on architectural decisions, and mentoring engineers to ensure best practices are followed. Principal Engineers are expected to facilitate clear communication, resolve technical roadblocks, and drive consensus, especially on complex or ambiguous projects. This collaboration is key to delivering scalable, high-impact solutions that align with Amazon’s business goals.

What is an Amazon Principal Engineer?

An Amazon Principal Engineer is a senior-level technical leader responsible for driving significant architectural decisions, setting technical direction, and mentoring engineering teams at Amazon. They have deep expertise in their field and often influence multiple teams or even the entire organization. Principal Engineers are expected to solve complex problems, champion best practices, and help shape Amazon’s technology vision. They collaborate closely with other leaders and contribute to both short-term projects and long-term technology strategies.

What is the difference between Amazon Principal Engineer vs Amazon Software Development Manager?

AspectAmazon Principal EngineerAmazon Software Development Manager
CredentialsTypically requires extensive technical experience, advanced degrees, and industry certificationsRequires experience in software development, leadership, and project management, often with a background in computer science
Work EnvironmentFocuses on technical leadership, architecture, and innovation across teamsLeads teams, manages projects, and oversees software development processes
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in Amazon and similar tech companies for senior technical rolesUsed in Amazon and other tech firms for managerial roles overseeing development teams

The Amazon Principal Engineer is a highly technical role emphasizing architecture and innovation, while the Amazon Software Development Manager focuses on team leadership and project management. Both roles require strong technical backgrounds but differ in their primary responsibilities and focus areas.

More about Amazon Principal Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Amazon Principal Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Amazon Principal Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Amazon Principal Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Amazon Principal Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Amazon Principal Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Senior Executive Search Researcher, Principal Engineer Recruiting

Senior Executive Search Researcher, Principal Engineer Recruiting

Amazon

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 6,811 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Join Amazon's Executive Recruiting team and help us identify and hire the world's most exceptional Principal Engineers. Members of Amazon's Principal Engineering Community are exemplary practitioners and pragmatic visionaries who set the standard for engineering excellence across Amazon. This role offers unparalleled visibility-you'll work across all Amazon businesses, advising senior executives on hiring strategy while building relationships with world-renowned technical leaders.
Key job responsibilities
Strategic Search Design: Develop robust, multi-channel strategies attracting world-class engineers. Map target companies, engage at conferences, generate referral leads. Build talent networks and tap industry sources for ongoing candidate pools.
Executive Advisory: Serve as talent adviser to leaders across Amazon-educating hiring managers about the external Principal Engineer demographic. Provide strategic guidance to executive leadership on top technical talent. Conduct continuous company and talent mapping.
Candidate Development: Develop prospects into candidates through sophisticated engagement. Perform assessment and screening, present to executive leadership. Conduct phone interviews, prepare candidates for technical interviews, coach leaders on talent acquisition at senior levels.
Market Expertise: Serve as expert for engineering recruiting. Contribute to knowledge base with education on industries and talent pools. Learn new domains quickly and craft effective search strategies.
What We're Looking For
• Research acumen: Learn technical domains quickly, craft effective search strategies, excel at candidate identification, engagement, and creative sourcing
• Executive presence: Compelling communicator who engages busy executives and renowned engineers, self-assured and quick-thinking
• Strategic judgment: Think strategically while executing tactically, relentlessly high standards, results-oriented
• Collaboration: Team leader and member who believes individual wins are team wins, inquisitive with strong desire to learn
A day in the life
You'll map technical leadership at target companies, identifying Principal Engineers working on problems similar to Amazon's strategic initiatives. You'll craft multi-channel engagement strategies-attending technical conferences, leveraging networks for warm introductions to passive candidates who would be transformational hires.
You'll advise VPs on search parameters based on market realities, conduct phone screens with renowned engineers assessing technical depth and influence capability, and coach hiring managers on candidate engagement. You'll contribute to the team's knowledge base by documenting insights about emerging talent pools that inform future searches.
About the team
The Principal Engineering Recruiting team is the talent acquisition engine for Amazon's PE Community. We take a multi-channel approach (target company mapping, conference and event engagement, referral and network lead generation) to talent identification, engagement, assessment, and match-making. Our mission: identify, build relationships with, and hire every great Principal Engineer in the world. You'll work with a strong, established team of executive recruiters.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in recruiting or research work at a market insights firm, executive search firm, or global in-house executive search team
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience recruiting passive candidates who are the most senior experts in their field
- Experience with executive recruiting in either a blue-chip, global in-house executive search team, or a top executive search firm
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, WA, Seattle - 142,800.00 - 193,200.00 USD annually

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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US