ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Principal Java Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Microsoft AI

Principal Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$160K - $215K/yr

They are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to architect and implement an agentic bidding ... C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience. • Ability to meet Microsoft ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.   ... Java, JavaScript etc.), frameworks (E.g. Spring framework etc.), Platforms (E.g. Microsoft Azure ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.   ... Java, JavaScript etc.), frameworks (E.g. Spring framework etc.), Platforms (E.g. Microsoft Azure ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$143K - $286K/yr

Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.   ... Java, JavaScript etc.), frameworks (E.g. Spring framework etc.), Platforms (E.g. Microsoft Azure ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.   ... Java, JavaScript etc.), frameworks (E.g. Spring framework etc.), Platforms (E.g. Microsoft Azure ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.   ... Java, JavaScript etc.), frameworks (E.g. Spring framework etc.), Platforms (E.g. Microsoft Azure ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Hayward, CA

$143K - $286K/yr

Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.   ... Java, JavaScript etc.), frameworks (E.g. Spring framework etc.), Platforms (E.g. Microsoft Azure ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.   ... Java, JavaScript etc.), frameworks (E.g. Spring framework etc.), Platforms (E.g. Microsoft Azure ...

Microsoft AI

Principal Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$160K - $215K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer will play a key role in shaping the next generation of the agentic ... C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience. • Ability to meet Microsoft ...

Paramount

Principal Software Engineer

Burbank, CA

$143K - $192K/yr

Develop internal developer tools, CLIs, services, and microplatforms that integrate seamlessly with ... Technical Execution Build highperformance backend services using Java, Kotlin, Python, or Node.js.

Paramount

Principal Software Engineer

Burbank, CA

$143K - $192K/yr

Develop internal developer tools, CLIs, services, and microplatforms that integrate seamlessly with ... Technical Execution Build highperformance backend services using Java, Kotlin, Python, or Node.js.

SAIC

Principal Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $200K/yr

ORA_REMOTE Description SAIC is seeking a full-stack Principal Software Engineer to join the Joint ... Deep expertise in the Java platform; including fluency with Java, and familiarity with JVM ...

Fivetran

Principal Software Engineer

Oakland, CA · Hybrid

$155K - $207K/yr

Java (JVM, JIT, GC tuning, thread management), JUnit * Claude Code * Docker and Kubernetes * AWS ... Evaluate and introduce new technologies and approaches to improve developer experience and platform ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Java Developer JobsPrincipal Java Developer Jobs in California

Principal Java Developer information

See California salary details

$47

$66

$85

How much do principal java developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 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.

How does a Principal Java Developer typically contribute to the 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 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 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 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.
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:
Principal Java Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Java Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,989 per year, or $66.8 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft AI

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$160K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Microsoft AI is at the forefront of transforming digital advertising through intelligent automation and large-scale optimization. They are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to architect and implement an agentic bidding platform that leverages AI and machine learning to optimize ad auctions and improve advertiser ROI.
Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with data scientists, ML engineers, and product teams to define requirements for agentic AI-driven bidding capabilities that observe, reason, and adapt autonomously.
• Architect and implement the next-generation agentic bidding platform, enabling AI agents to monitor marketplace signals, interpret advertiser and user behavior, and continuously optimize bidding strategies.
• Build large-scale data validation and quality frameworks to ensure correctness, consistency, and reliability across all auction-critical signals feeding the AI agents.
• Act as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI): drive operational excellence, incident management, on-call readiness, and high-availability practices for mission-critical bidding services.
• Develop experimentation and simulation frameworks to validate agent behavior and optimize policies before deployment in live auctions.
• Proactively adopt new patterns, technologies, and engineering practices to improve availability, efficiency, performance, and scalability across the bidding stack.
• Mentor engineers, and foster a culture of high-quality execution, innovation, and accountability.
• Explore and invest in emerging AI techniques — multi-agent systems, adaptive optimization—to enhance the autonomy, intelligence, and impact of the bidding platform.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role.
• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
Preferred:
• Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience developing and deploying large-scale distributed systems in production environments.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in machine learning operations (MLOps), including pipeline automation, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with large-scale streaming platforms such as Apache Spark or Flink.
• Experience building real world applications using AI techniques.
Company:
Microsoft AI is a software development company. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in Redmond, USA, with a team of 5001-10000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

Apply