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Principal Java Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Java/DevOps Mid

Washington, DC · On-site

$58.50 - $80.50/hr

As a Java Engineer, it will be your responsibility to maintain code integrity and quality. Job ... to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed ...

Principal Software Engineer

Denver, CO · Remote

$150K - $210K/yr

Must have Java and .Net experience ** We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer with deep technical expertise and a proven track record of defining architecture, guiding multiple teams, and ...

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Principal Java Engineer information

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$83K

$149.7K

$201.5K

How much do principal java engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal java engineer in the United States is $149,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,500.00 and $165,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Principal Java Engineer typically contribute to architectural decisions and cross-team collaboration?

A Principal Java Engineer is often a key decision-maker when it comes to designing and evolving the software architecture. They regularly collaborate with product managers, other engineering teams, and stakeholders to ensure technical solutions align with business goals. In addition to providing technical leadership, Principal Java Engineers mentor junior developers, participate in code reviews, and help resolve complex technical challenges across teams. Their role is highly collaborative and strategic, making them instrumental in guiding project direction and maintaining code quality.

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

To thrive as a Principal Java Engineer, you need deep expertise in Java programming, software architecture, and system design, usually backed by a computer science degree and extensive industry experience. Familiarity with frameworks like Spring, build tools such as Maven or Gradle, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and relevant certifications (e.g., Oracle Certified Professional Java SE) is often required. Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring abilities are crucial soft skills to guide teams and drive technical excellence. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering robust, scalable solutions and ensuring the success of complex software projects.

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

AspectPrincipal Java EngineerSenior Java Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Computer Science, Java certificationsBachelor's in Computer Science, Java certifications
Work EnvironmentLead technical projects, architecture design, cross-team collaborationDevelops features, writes code, fixes bugs
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, large enterprises, consulting firmsStartups, mid-sized companies, tech teams
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership, architecture, high-level technical expertiseHands-on coding, feature development, troubleshooting

The Principal Java Engineer typically holds a higher-level, strategic role focusing on architecture and leadership, while a Senior Java Developer concentrates on coding and implementing features. Both roles require strong Java skills and relevant certifications, but their responsibilities and scope differ significantly.

What does a Principal Java Engineer do?

A Principal Java Engineer is a senior-level software engineer responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing complex Java-based applications and systems. They lead technical teams, make high-level architectural decisions, and ensure best practices in coding and software design are followed. Principal Java Engineers mentor junior developers, collaborate with stakeholders to define technical requirements, and play a key role in troubleshooting and optimizing application performance. Their expertise in Java and related technologies is critical for delivering scalable and reliable software solutions.
More about Principal Java Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Java Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Java Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Principal Java Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Java Engineer jobs are:
Software Engineer Principal (Java)

Software Engineer Principal (Java)

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


PNC Bank rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 336 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

75th of 142 rated banks


Job description

Position Overview
At PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued and have an opportunity to contribute to the company's success. As a Software Engineer Principle within PNC's Technology organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh, PA. You will be responsible for end-to-end ownership of deliverables across both project and BAU work. Ensures high-quality output with minimal oversight.
Technical Skills:
T SQL / Database Engineering
Java Development
GIT Source Control
uDeploy / Release Automation
Linux / Platform Support
API Integration / Distributed Systems
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with enterprise change management and incident processes
Exposure to cloud platforms or hybrid architectures
Experience supporting regulatory or audit-driven initiatives
Leadership Qualities
Operates as a technical leader and force multiplier within the team.
Leads solution design and sets technical direction
Establishes and enforces development and engineering standards
Serves as the escalation point for complex technical challenges
PNC is an in-office company that fosters a supportive culture where employees can thrive and achieve balance. We encourage candidates to connect with their recruiter and hiring manager to understand workplace expectations and ensure the role aligns with their goals.
PNC will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position.
Job Description
  • Aligns business strategy with software solutions.
  • Proposes, designs & codes software solutions to address complex business needs. Oversees technical and procedural documentation required.
  • Leads complex problem solving.
  • Provides technical guidance and support to colleagues and solution development.
  • Displays an innovative approach to apply modern principles, methodologies and tools to advance business initiatives and capabilities.

PNC Employees take pride in our reputation and to continue building upon that we expect our employees to be:
  • Customer Focused - Knowledgeable of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and able to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions.
  • Managing Risk - Assessing and effectively managing all of the risks associated with their business objectives and activities to ensure they adhere to and support PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework.

Qualifications
Successful candidates must demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities for a role. Listed below are skills, competencies, work experience, education, and required certifications/licensures needed to be successful in this position.
Preferred Skills
API Integration, Application Development, Business Management, Customer Solutions, Design, Distributed Systems, Group Problem Solving, Java, Process Improvements, Release Management, Software Solutions, User Experience (UX) Design
Competencies
Application Design, Architecture, Packaged Application Integration, Product and Vendor Evaluation, Software Process Improvement (SPI), System Development Life Cycle, Technical Troubleshooting
Work Experience
Roles at this level typically require a university / college degree, with 5+ years of industry-relevant experience. Specific certifications are often required. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered.
Education
Bachelors
Certifications
No Required Certification(s)
Licenses
No Required License(s)
Benefits
PNC offers a comprehensive range of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time employees include: medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature), dental and vision options; employee and spouse/child life insurance; short and long-term disability protection; 401(k) with PNC match, pension and stock purchase plans; dependent care reimbursement account; back-up child/elder care; adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement; educational assistance, including select programs fully paid; a robust wellness program with financial incentives.
In addition, PNC generally provides the following paid time off, depending on your eligibility: maternity and/or parental leave; up to 11 paid holidays each year; 9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law; between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level; and years of service.
To learn more about these and other programs, including benefits for full time and part-time employees, visit pncthrive.com.
Disability Accommodations Statement
If an accommodation is required to participate in the application process, please contact us via email at AccommodationRequest@pnc.com. Please include "accommodation request" in the subject line title and be sure to include your name, the job ID, and your preferred method of contact in the body of the email. Emails not related to accommodation requests will not receive responses. Applicants may also call 877-968-7762 and say "Workday" for accommodation assistance. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
At PNC we foster an inclusive and accessible workplace. We provide reasonable accommodations to employment applicants and qualified individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to perform the essential functions of their positions.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.
This position is subject to the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) and, for any registered role, the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) and/or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain criminal history.
California Residents
Refer to the California Consumer Privacy Act Privacy Notice to gain understanding of how PNC may use or disclose your personal information in our hiring practices.

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