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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 · Hybrid

$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 ...

Leidos

Principal Software Developer

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Software Developer who will be a member of a dynamic team Air Traffic ... Drive system-level and cross-program architectural decisions, including integration strategies and ...

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 ...

KLDiscovery

Principal Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · Remote

$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 ...

Quadtec Solutions, Inc

Be Seen First

Senior Solutions Architect / Principal Software Engineer

Washington, DC · Remote

$170K - $180K/yr

Position Overview We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Solutions Architect / Principal Software Engineer to lead architecture, design, and hands-on development for enterprise customer ...

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 ...

Deltek, Inc.

Sr Pncpl Software Architect

Herndon, VA · On-site +1

$133K - $181K/yr

15-Apr-2026 Senior Principal Software Architect US (Remote) 10830BR Company Summary As the recognized global standard for project-based businesses, Deltek delivers software and information solutions ...

MasterCard

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 ...

Cloudflare

Principal Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$152K - $204K/yr

They are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join their Product Platform Task Force, where the ... portfolio. • Architect and implement security-critical systems including authentication ...

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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Showing results 1-20

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 Jun 14, 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 designs and oversees 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 collaborate with stakeholders to align technical solutions with organizational goals.

What is the highest salary of a software architect?

The highest salaries for principal software architects can exceed $200,000 annually, especially in high-demand industries or tech hubs, with senior roles often offering additional bonuses and stock options. Compensation varies based on experience, location, company size, 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.

How much does a principal software architect make in the US?

A principal software architect in the US typically earns between $130,000 and $180,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses and stock options. Salaries vary based on experience, industry, company size, and location, with higher pay generally found in tech hubs and large organizations.

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 working in large tech companies or specialized fields.
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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
Infographic showing various Principal Software Architect job openings in Reston, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $199,488 per year, or $95.9 per hour.

Principal Software Architect

LevelUp Squared

Ashburn, VA

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Software Architect to lead platform architecture through a combination of hands-on engineering (approximately 60%) and technical leadership. This role focuses on building scalable systems, driving architectural standards, and delivering measurable business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and implement scalable AWS-based architectures
  • Build reference implementations, proofs of concept, and contribute to production code
  • Define API standards (REST/GraphQL) and review technical designs
  • Lead event-driven architecture initiatives using EventBridge, SNS, and SQS
  • Drive both greenfield development and legacy modernization efforts
  • Establish architecture standards, ADR processes, and engineering best practices
  • Partner with engineering, DevOps, and business stakeholders to align technical solutions with business goals
  • Design secure, compliant systems using IAM, JWT, Entra ID, Okta, and zero-trust principles
  • Champion AI-assisted engineering practices using tools such as Claude Code and OpenAI Codex to improve development efficiency

Required Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • 8+ years of software engineering experience
  • Strong experience with AWS, Java/Python, Microservices, AI Agentic Tools, like Claude code/Codex.
  • Strong AWS architecture and backend development experience
  • Experience with microservices and event-driven architectures
  • Knowledge of security architecture and identity/access management
  • Strong system design, troubleshooting, and technical leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • AWS Solutions Architect certification
  • Experience with Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and Hexagonal Architecture
  • Platform engineering experience
  • Exposure to mobile development (Swift)

Success Metrics

  • Consistent architecture standards adopted across teams
  • Improved cross-team alignment and reduced technical fragmentation
  • Faster delivery and enhanced developer experience
  • Effective architecture decision-making through ADRs
  • Measurable productivity gains through AI-assisted development

Apply