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Principal Software Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

Principal Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$160K - $200K/yr

Your Role As a Principal Software Engineer , you will be a key technical contributor supporting the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) for strategic RF and VLF communication systems. You will ...

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All JobsPrincipal Software Developer JobsPrincipal Software Developer Jobs in California

Principal Software Developer information

See California salary details

$93.3K

$139.3K

$183.1K

How much do principal software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software developer in California is $139,322.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,900.00 and $153,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectPrincipal Software DeveloperSenior Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Computer Science; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master’s in Computer Science; 5+ years experience
Work EnvironmentLeads technical strategy, mentors teams, influences architectureDevelops features, writes code, mentors junior staff
Industry UsageUsed in large organizations, tech companies, and enterprise settingsCommon across startups, mid-sized, and large companies

The Principal Software Developer typically holds a higher-level role focused on technical leadership, architecture, and strategic planning, whereas the Senior Software Engineer primarily focuses on coding, feature development, and mentoring. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the Principal position involves broader responsibilities and influence within the organization.

How does a Principal Software Developer typically balance hands-on coding with leadership and mentorship responsibilities?

As a Principal Software Developer, you’ll often split your time between writing high-impact code and guiding technical direction for the team. While you remain involved in architecting and developing complex features, a significant portion of your role will also involve mentoring less-experienced developers, leading code reviews, and fostering best practices. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to align technical solutions with business goals, and you’re expected to influence the overall engineering culture. This balance requires strong time management skills and a passion for both technical excellence and team development.

What does a Principal Software Developer do?

A Principal Software Developer is a senior-level engineer responsible for leading complex software projects, setting technical direction, and mentoring other developers. They design and architect software solutions, ensure best coding practices, and collaborate with stakeholders to align technical strategy with business goals. Principal Software Developers often influence company-wide technology decisions and help solve the most challenging engineering problems. Their role typically combines hands-on coding with leadership and strategic planning.

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

To thrive as a Principal Software Developer, you need advanced expertise in software engineering, architecture design, and problem-solving, typically backed by a degree in computer science or a related field and extensive industry experience. Mastery of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C#), software development frameworks, cloud platforms, and familiarity with tools like Git, Docker, and CI/CD systems is critical. Leadership, effective communication, and mentorship abilities are vital soft skills that set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure scalable solutions, effective project delivery, and the growth of high-performing development teams.
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Developer jobs in California? For Principal Software Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Software Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Developer jobs in CA? For Principal Software Developer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Principal Software Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 66% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,322 per year, or $67 per hour.
Principal Software Developer Engineer

Principal Software Developer Engineer

Fortinet

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Join Fortinet, a cybersecurity pioneer with over two decades of excellence, as we continue to shape the future of cybersecurity and redefine the intersection of networking and security. At Fortinet, our mission is to safeguard people, devices, and data everywhere. We are currently seeking a Principal Software Developer Engineer for our FortiSwitch team.

As a Principal Software Developer Engineer, you will:

  • Develop and maintain software components on current and future products
  • Take responsibility for developing networking-related features for the FortiSwitch Virtual Machine (FSW-VM) product line and the Marvell CPSS SDK work for both VM and hardware.
  • Be hands on in bug fixing in current products
  • Implement software features of high quality and on schedule
  • Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Work closely with hardware teams for features which directly translate to hardware platforms

We Are Looking For:

  • A minimum of 12 years of experience in Networking related software development
  • B.S. in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering; M.S. preferred
  • Strong C/C++ experience in Unix/Linux environment is essential
  • Strong knowledge of Linux kernel programming, including system calls and custom device drivers
  • Experience with Marvell switching ASICs and SDKs in Ethernet switches/routers.
  • Experience in developing applications running in a Virtualization environment (KVM & VMware)
  • Experience with multi process/thread programming environment
  • Experience in implementing L2/L3 features such as STP, RSTP, RIP, OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, LACP, LLDP, QOS, Private VLAN, LAG
  • Knowledge of TCP/IP networking, firewalls, switching and routing
  • Familiarity with system installations, configurations, and troubleshooting.
  • Knowledge of general QA procedures and methodologies as well as software development fundamentals
  • Knowledge of scripting languages: Shell and Python a plus
  • Experience with firewalls and embedded systems is a plus
  • Knowledge of Linux kernel and driver development is plus
  • US citizenship is required.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $170,000 - $210,000. Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11 paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time as well as a comprehensive leave program. Wage ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, and job level. Exact salary offers will be determined by factors such as the candidate's subject knowledge, skill level, qualifications, experience, and geographic location. All roles are eligible to participate in the Fortinet equity program, Bonus eligibility is reviewed at time of hire and annually at the Company's discretion.

About Our Team:

Join our team, known for its collaborative ethos, working seamlessly with global customers, internal engineering teams and product development groups. Our team culture emphasizes continuous learning, innovation, and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. We embrace Fortinet's core values of openness, teamwork and innovation, fostering an environment where team members support each other, share knowledge. Our inclusive and dynamic team thrives on collaboration and is driven by the shared goal of maintaining Fortinet's high standards of excellence in cybersecurity solutions

Why Join Us:

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply. We offer a supportive work environment and a competitive Total Rewards package to support you with your overall health and financial well-being. Embark on a challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding career journey with Fortinet. Join us in bringing solutions that make a meaningful and lasting impact to our 660,000+ customers around the globe

Apply