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Principal Java Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Principal Java Developer information

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$47

$66

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How much do principal java developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for principal java developer in California is $66.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.01 and $80.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal Java developer?

A Principal Java Developer is a senior-level software engineer who specializes in designing, developing, and overseeing complex Java-based applications. They typically lead development teams, set technical direction, and ensure best practices are followed throughout the software development lifecycle. Principal Java Developers are also responsible for mentoring junior engineers, collaborating with stakeholders, and making high-level architectural decisions. Their deep expertise in Java and related technologies enables them to solve challenging technical problems and drive innovation within their organizations.

How does a principal Java developer typically contribute to technical leadership and mentorship within a development team?

A Principal Java Developer often plays a crucial role in guiding technical decisions, establishing coding standards, and mentoring less experienced developers. They are responsible for reviewing code, providing architectural input, and ensuring best practices are followed throughout the software development lifecycle. Additionally, they frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as QA, DevOps, and Product Management, to align on project goals and resolve complex technical challenges. This leadership role not only shapes the team's technical direction but also supports professional growth among team members.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal Java developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Java Developer, you need advanced expertise in Java programming, software architecture, and design patterns, often backed by a degree in computer science and extensive hands-on experience. Familiarity with frameworks like Spring, build tools such as Maven or Gradle, cloud platforms, and relevant certifications like Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) are typically required. Leadership, problem-solving, and strong communication skills help you guide teams and collaborate effectively with stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for delivering robust, scalable solutions and ensuring project success at an enterprise level.

What is the difference between Principal Java Developer vs Java Developer?

AspectPrincipal Java DeveloperJava Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Computer Science, Java certificationsBachelor's in Computer Science, Java certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentLead technical projects, architecture design, mentoringDeveloping applications, coding, debugging
Industry UsageUsed across enterprise, finance, tech companiesCommon in software development firms, startups
Search & Comparison IntentHigher-level roles, architecture, leadershipEntry to mid-level development tasks

The Principal Java Developer typically holds a senior, leadership role focusing on architecture, mentoring, and strategic technical decisions. In contrast, a Java Developer primarily handles coding and application development. Both roles require similar credentials but differ significantly in responsibilities and scope.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Java Developer jobs in California?

For Principal Java Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Java Developer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Java Developer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Java Developer jobs in CA?

For Principal Java Developer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Principal Java Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,989 per year, or $66.8 per hour.

Staff, Software Engineer - Java / Backend

Walmart

Fremont, CA • On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Walmart rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 22,451 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Position Summary... What you'll do...Immigration sponsorship is not available in this role. We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer with deep expertise in backend engineering, distributed systems, and enterprise platform architecture. In this role, you will provide technical leadership in designing and building scalable, resilient, and highly available services using modern backend technologies and architectural patterns. The platform is a multi-tenant framework that serves as the single source of truth for Last Mile delivery capabilities, powering applications and features across Walmart International markets. You will help shape the platform’s technical direction, establish reusable architectural patterns, and build foundational capabilities that enable teams across markets to deliver Last Mile experiences reliably and at scale.
About Team:  The international last mile engineering team delivers scalable, high-performance software solutions that enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. Focused on automation and continuous optimization, the team designs, develops, and maintains critical business capabilities with an emphasis on solution design, software development, and DevOps best practices. Collaborating closely, members ensure reliable system performance and measurable growth. This team fosters technical excellence and proactive problem-solving to meet evolving business needs while upholding high standards of quality and performance in a dynamic environment.
What you'll do: 
  • Interact with Walmart engineering teams across geographies to leverage expertise and contribute to the tech community.
  • Engage with Product Management and Business to drive the agenda, set your priorities, and deliver awesome products 
  • Work closely with Distinguished & Principal Architects and cross-functional teams and follow established practices for the delivery of solutions meeting QCD (Quality, Cost, and Delivery) within the established architectural guidelines 
  • Participate in hiring and building teams enabling them to be high-performing agile teams 
  • You will work with engineering teams to create high-level and low-level designs and drive designs 
  • You will come up with quality, best practices, and other Non-functional standards and guide the teams to execute them along with helping them with overall technical and design aspects 
  • You will leverage cutting-edge models and algorithms that operate on massive amounts of data and Interact with Walmart cross cross-functional engineering teams like cloud, platform, analytics, etc. across geographies to leverage technical expertise and contribute to the engineering community. 

What you'll bring: 
  • 10+ years of experience in the design and development of highly scalable distributed applications and platforms - particularly for multi-tenant, SaaS products. 
  • Last Mile Delivery Platforms
  • Experience building a 'Code, Deploy, run' pipeline using DevOps best practices by leveraging the best available CI/CD tools. 
  • Experience with Kafka and messaging methodologies.
  • Strong computer science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, and design patterns. 
  • Own Tech Debt/Tech Modernization - Ability to balance the long-term "big picture" and short-term implications of design decisions. 
  • Having proficiency in Java/J2EE, Microservices, and Cloud Native Architecture. 
  • Hands-on experience in Microservices, and RESTful web services development in Java SpringBoot, Spring Kafka or equivalent framework). 
  • In-depth knowledge of Cloud Native Architecture, Microservice Architecture, and related stacks (Service Registry, ELK / Splunk, service registry, VMs, etc.) and container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, etc.) 
  • Knowledge of at least one of Azure/Google Cloud Platforms. 
  • Self-starter with the ability to multitask across several priority areas in the face of fuzzy situations. 
  • Demonstrated end-to-end ownership for the development and design of at least one cloud-based project. 
  • Strong hands-on development skills to prototype technical solutions. 
  • Strong desire to drive change, and ability to adapt to change quickly. 
  • Proficient in new and emerging technologies. 
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills - including negotiation, facilitation, and consensus-building skills; ability to influence and persuade, without direct control. 
  • Focus on reusability, frameworks, patterns, and configuration tools for faster development. 
  • Practitioner of Agile (Scrum) methodology 
At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices. Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.
For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.
The annual salary range for this position is $143,000.00 - $286,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include :
- Stock

‎ 

Minimum Qualifications...

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

Option 1: Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 4 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.
Option 2: 6 years’ experience in software engineering or related area. Preferred Qualifications...

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Software Engineering, or related area and 2 years' experience in software engineering or related area, We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture. Primary Location... 809 11th Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-4731, United States of America Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.

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About Walmart

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

From our humble beginnings as a small discount retailer in Rogers, Ark., Walmart has opened thousands of stores in the U.S. and expanded internationally. Through innovation, we're creating a seamless experience to let customers shop anytime and anywhere online and in stores. We are creating opportunities and bringing value to customers and communities around the globe. Walmart operates approximately 10,500 stores and clubs in 19 countries and eCommerce websites. We employ 2.1 million associates around the world — nearly 1.6 million in the U.S. alone.

Industry

Retail and transportation and warehousing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bentonville, AR, US

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