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Principal Java Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Java Software Engineer

Princeton, NJ

$54.25 - $74.50/hr

Java Software Engineer- * Location: Princeton, NJ * Employment: Full Time * Rate : DOE Job Responsibility * Implementing, debugging and unit testing on new and existing product applications. * Design ...

Principal Java Developer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Java Developer in our Intel Security Sector ... Participates in software programming initiatives, shaping backend architecture, mentoring team ...

Java Software Engineer

San Jose, CA

$60.75 - $83.25/hr

Software Engineer (Java) Client: Insurance (P&C) Software maker Engagement: FTE with this Insurance (P&C) Software maker Location: San Jose, CA Authorization: Sponsorship not available We are ...

Java Software Engineer

Tampa, FL

$49 - $67/hr

\n \n \n We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Software Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Java development, as well as experience with related ...

Senior Java Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$123K - $162K/yr

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Senior Java Software Engineer in our Intelligence Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security ...

Principal Java Developer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Java Developer in our Intel Security Sector ... Participates in software programming initiatives, shaping backend architecture, mentoring team ...

Senior Java Software Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$137K - $180K/yr

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Senior Java Software Engineer in our Intelligence Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security ...

We are looking for a talented and motivated Senior Java Software Engineer to join our growing engineering team. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining enterprise-grade web ...

Principal Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

... seeking a Principal Software Engineer in order to support its government customer in Annapolis ... Description: 2HB is seeking an experienced Software Developer who will provide full-stack java ...

Showing results 41-60

Principal Java Software Engineer information

See salary details

$83K

$149.7K

$201.5K

How much do principal java software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal java software 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal Java software engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Java Software Engineer, you need advanced proficiency in Java, strong knowledge of system architecture and design patterns, and extensive experience in large-scale application development, usually supported by a degree in computer science or equivalent experience. Familiarity with frameworks like Spring, cloud technologies (AWS or Azure), CI/CD tools, and relevant certifications such as Oracle Certified Professional – Java SE are typically required. Exceptional leadership, mentoring, communication, and problem-solving skills help you guide teams and work collaboratively across departments. These combined technical and interpersonal skills enable you to drive complex projects, set technical direction, and deliver robust software solutions efficiently.

What is a principal Java software engineer?

A Principal Java Software Engineer is a senior-level technical expert responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing complex Java-based applications. They provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and drive best practices in coding, architecture, and system scalability. This role often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality software delivery while aligning with business objectives. Additionally, they evaluate new technologies, improve system performance, and contribute to strategic decision-making within the engineering team.

What are the typical responsibilities of a principal Java software engineer within a development team?

A Principal Java Software Engineer is generally responsible for leading the technical design and implementation of major software projects, making architectural decisions, and ensuring best coding practices throughout the team. They mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and often coordinate with product managers, QA, and DevOps to facilitate seamless project delivery. Beyond hands-on coding, they provide strategic guidance, troubleshoot complex technical problems, and help shape the long-term technology roadmap. This role typically involves balancing individual contribution with leadership and collaboration across multiple teams.

More about Principal Java Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Java Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Java Software Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Java Software Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Principal Java Software Engineer jobs are:
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Infographic showing various Principal Java Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,680 per year, or $72 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

DSC Resources

Denver, CO • Remote

$150K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Principal Java & .Net Software Engineer


Remote – US-Based Only


No visa sponsorship | No third-party agencies


** 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 delivering scalable, high-quality software systems. This role reports to the Director of Engineering and plays a critical leadership role in shaping the technical strategy and architecture across product lines, driving innovation, and enabling the development of both existing and next-generation platforms.

The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on expertise in Java ecosystems, working knowledge of .NET technologies, and a technology-agnostic full-stack mindset. This individual will be experienced in cloud-native architectures, distributed systems, CI/CD, and modern AI-assisted engineering practices, with a passion for leading by example through active contribution to design and development, delivering end-to-end, innovative, high-quality solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Define and evolve scalable, secure, and maintainable system architectures across one or more product lines, ensuring alignment with long-term platform strategy and business objectives.
  • Drive end-to-end architecture across the full technology stack (UI, APIs, data, infrastructure), establishing standards for consistency, interoperability, and scalability.
  • Establish and govern engineering best practices for design, development, testing, DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines to improve software quality and delivery velocity.
  • Remain deeply hands-on by designing, building, and delivering complex system components, along with post-release support.
  • Guide and influence multiple engineering teams on architecture, design patterns, and implementation approaches, ensuring alignment to enterprise standards.
  • Make high-impact technical decisions including build vs. buy and platform selection, balancing trade-offs across performance, scalability, reliability, and cost.
  • Design and drive adoption of cloud-native, microservices, and event-driven architectures for resilience and scale.
  • Identify and mitigate cross-system dependencies, risks, and failure domains prior to large-scale releases.
  • Champion AI-driven engineering practices including adoption of AI coding assistants and intelligent automation.
  • Drive cross-functional alignment by partnering with Product, Design, Infrastructure, Security, Compliance, and Support teams to ensure cohesive architecture, seamless delivery, and adherence to operational and regulatory requirements.
  • Analyze complex challenges and deliver broad-reaching, scalable solutions that improve system health.
  • Define and monitor engineering metrics such as performance, reliability, and availability.
  • Drive operational excellence through observability, monitoring, logging, and incident response frameworks.
  • Mentor engineers and foster a culture of technical excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement.
  • Influence stakeholders and drive alignment across teams to reduce complexity and enable effective decision-making.


Qualifications

  • 12+ years of software engineering experience with architectural leadership.
  • BS in Computer Science or related field.
  • Strong expertise in Java (Spring ecosystem) and working knowledge of .NET.
  • Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
  • Expertise in distributed systems, microservices, and API design.
  • Experience with CI/CD, DevOps practices, and automation.
  • Familiarity with front-end technologies such as Angular or React.
  • Experience with relational and NoSQL databases.
  • Exposure to AI/ML or AI-assisted software development tools preferred.
  • Experience delivering large-scale, complex systems in Agile environments.
  • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.


Key Differentiators

  • Background in invoicing, payments, healthcare, finance, supply chain, or similar domains.
  • Experience working in global or distributed engineering environments supporting large-scale systems.
  • Exposure to regulated domains and compliance standards such as SOC I/II, HIPAA, or GDPR.
  • Ability to produce clear, structured, and technically accurate documentation.
  • Ability to understand and explain the upstream/downstream systems and organizational impacts.
  • Proven ability to challenge the status quo and drive continuous improvement.
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills, leading by example.
  • Demonstrates emotional maturity and a positive, solution-oriented mindset.
  • Strong analytical, prioritization, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Lead by example by actively contributing to design and development, producing end-to-end, innovative, high-quality solutions.


Salary Range: $150,000 to $214,000 plus bonus