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Principal Software Architect Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Principal Software Architect

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos is seeking a Principal Software Architect to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector , supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP) and ...

Leidos

Principal Software Architect

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking a Principal Software Architect to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector , supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L ...

Leidos

Principal Software Architect

Gaithersburg, MD · Hybrid

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos is seeking a Principal Software Architect to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector , supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP) and ...

Gridpoint

Software Architect

Reston, VA · On-site

The Software Architect shall be the principal author and advocate for the specification of software architecture and design for GridPoint's product and service offerings portfolio. The Software ...

Gridpoint

Software Architect

Reston, VA · On-site

The Software Architect shall be the principal author and advocate for the specification of software architecture and design for GridPoint's product and service offerings portfolio. The Software ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA

$155K - $208K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... You will help define architecture, guide major design decisions, mentor engineers, and lead the ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Tysons Corner, VA

$135K - $182K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... You will help define architecture, guide major design decisions, mentor engineers, and lead the ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Fairfax, VA

$138K - $185K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... You will help define architecture, guide major design decisions, mentor engineers, and lead the ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Mclean, VA

$136K - $183K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... You will help define architecture, guide major design decisions, mentor engineers, and lead the ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Washington, DC

$152K - $205K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... You will help define architecture, guide major design decisions, mentor engineers, and lead the ...

KLDiscovery

Principal Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

About the Role The Principal Software Engineer role at KLDiscovery is cross-cutting by design ... You will provide architectural judgment across product areas that don't have dedicated Architect ...

Recorded Future

Principal Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$152K - $228K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will work across application code and infrastructure to ... Architecture & Scalability: Drive meaningful architectural improvements across data and platform ...

MasterCard

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA

$155K - $208K/yr

Title and Summary Principal Software Engineer About Mastercard Mastercard is a global technology ... Thought Leadership & Influence - Lead architectural design for complex, enterprise-wide initiatives ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$152K - $204K/yr

... Principal Software Engineer for their emPower team ... The role involves providing technical leadership and shaping the architecture for software systems ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$155K - $208K/yr

Alarm.com is looking for a versatile Principal Software Engineer to help lead architecture and engineering for their emPower team, which builds software for IoT, smart home automation, and energy ...

Mastercard, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$155K - $208K/yr

Title and Summary Principal Software Engineer About Mastercard Mastercard is a global technology ... Thought Leadership & Influence - Lead architectural design for complex, enterprise-wide initiatives ...

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All JobsPrincipal Software Architect JobsPrincipal Software Architect Jobs in Reston, VA

Principal Software Architect information

See Reston, VA salary details

$121.7K

$199.5K

$285.1K

How much do principal software architect jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software architect in Reston, VA is $199,488.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $153,500.00 and $242,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Principal Software Architect position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Software Architect, you need deep expertise in software design, architecture patterns, and multiple programming languages, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with cloud platforms (like AWS, Azure), architectural modeling tools (such as UML), and certifications like TOGAF or AWS Certified Solutions Architect is valuable. Leadership, strong communication, and the ability to mentor and influence cross-functional teams are standout soft skills for this role. These competencies are essential for guiding technical direction, ensuring scalable and maintainable solutions, and fostering alignment across technical and business stakeholders.

What does a principal software architect do?

A principal software architect is responsible for designing and overseeing the technical architecture of software systems, ensuring they meet business requirements and quality standards. They lead technical teams, set coding and design standards, evaluate new technologies, and provide strategic technical guidance to align projects with organizational goals.

What is the highest salary for a software architect?

The highest salaries for principal software architects can exceed $200,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in cloud computing, system design, and leadership. Top-tier professionals in large organizations or specialized industries may earn even higher compensation, including bonuses and stock options.

What is the highest salary for a principal architect?

The highest salaries for a Principal Software Architect can exceed $200,000 annually, especially in high-demand industries or senior-level positions in large organizations. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other benefits, reflecting experience, certifications, and technical expertise in areas like cloud computing and system design.

What is a Principal Software Architect job?

A Principal Software Architect is a senior technical leader responsible for designing, guiding, and overseeing an organization's software architecture. They establish technical standards, ensure scalable and efficient system design, and collaborate with engineering teams to implement best practices. This role involves making high-level design choices, mentoring developers, and aligning technical strategies with business goals. Principal Software Architects work closely with stakeholders to ensure that software solutions meet performance, security, and scalability requirements.

What does a typical day look like for a Principal Software Architect?

A typical day for a Principal Software Architect involves collaborating with development teams, product managers, and stakeholders to define and refine architectural solutions for complex projects. You’ll spend time reviewing code and system designs, setting technical guidelines, and troubleshooting architectural issues. Mentoring team members, conducting architecture reviews, and ensuring alignment with business objectives are also central responsibilities. The role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring you to balance high-level planning with practical problem-solving, often across several simultaneous initiatives.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Principal Software Architects and senior engineering leaders in high-demand industries can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in cloud computing, system design, and leadership, as well as stock options or bonuses. Such compensation typically reflects seniority, strategic impact, and the ability to lead complex projects in large organizations.
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Architect jobs in Reston, VA? For Principal Software Architect jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Software Architect jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Architect jobs in Reston, VA are:
Principal Software Architect jobs near you
Principal Software Architect

Principal Software Architect

Leidos

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 149 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 451 rated business services

Job description

Leidos is seeking a Principal Software Architect to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP) and Common Baseline. L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation solution built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture. As a member of a large-scale, Scaled Agile software development organization, you will play a central role in shaping next-generation air traffic automation capabilities by bridging mission needs, systems engineering rigor, and Agile software delivery.
In this role, you will serve as the Software Architect and lead the design and evolution of scalable, secure, and high-performance systems. This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic thinking, guiding engineering teams in building robust architectures that align with business goals. This position is intended for experienced practitioners who can balance innovation with discipline in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment.
This position is located in Gaithersburg, MD or Egg Harbor Township, NJ. This is an opportunity to contribute to projects that impact millions of air travelers.
This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days working from home.
This role focuses on building and modernizing real-time, safety-critical systems using a combination of traditional systems engineering and AI-augmented software development practices. You'll work on software that directly supports national air traffic operations, applying AI tools to accelerate development, improve quality, and enhance system reliability.
Key Responsibilities
  • Define and drive the overall system architecture, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
  • Lead the design of complex software systems across multiple platforms (cloud, distributed systems, microservices).
  • Collaborate with product, engineering, and leadership teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
  • Establish architectural standards, best practices, and governance processes.
  • Evaluate and recommend technologies, frameworks, and tools.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to senior and mid-level engineers.
  • Conduct architecture reviews, code reviews, and technical risk assessments.
  • Ensure system security, compliance, and data integrity across platforms.
  • Drive modernization initiatives (e.g., cloud migration, microservices adoption).
  • Troubleshoot and resolve high-impact technical issues.

Core Technical Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field or equivalent years of experience
  • 12+ years of software development experience (or 10+ years experience with a Master's Degree), with 3+ years in an architectural role.
  • Strong experience with distributed systems, APIs, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
  • Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, C#, Python, Go).
  • Experience designing microservices and event-driven architectures.
  • Deep understanding of system design principles, patterns, and trade-offs.
  • Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
  • Strong knowledge of security best practices and compliance standards.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust
  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Successful completion of background investigations as required by the government customer

Preferred / Desired Qualifications
  • Experience in large-scale enterprise environments.
  • Familiarity with domain-driven design (DDD).
  • Experience with data architecture (SQL/NoSQL, data pipelines).
  • Certifications in cloud platforms or architecture frameworks (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect).
  • Exposure to AI/ML systems or modern data platforms.

Why Leidos?
You'll work on systems where performance, precision, and reliability matter - every second. This is not experimental AI for prototypes. This is disciplined, responsible AI applied to mission-critical software that supports national infrastructure.
If you're excited by solving complex problems in regulated, real-world environments - and using AI as a force multiplier rather than a shortcut - we'd like to talk.
ATMC
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
April 24, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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