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Principal Software Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Principal Software Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

$143K - $192K/yr

Principal Software Engineer - AI Tooling & Quality Engineering Platforms Team: Global Quality ... Develop internal developer tools, CLIs, services, and microplatforms that integrate seamlessly with ...

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 ...

Principal Software Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

$143K - $192K/yr

Principal Software Engineer - AI Tooling & Quality Engineering Platforms Team : Global Quality ... Develop internal developer tools, CLIs, services, and microplatforms that integrate seamlessly with ...

Sr/Principal Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$147K - $203K/yr

Sr/Principal Software Engineer Location; Sunnyvale, CA Sr./Principal Software Engineer ABOUT THIS FEATURED OPPORTUNITY Our client is seeking a Sr./Principal Software Engineer to join a high-impact ...

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer ... Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.  

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$157K - $212K/yr

Additionally, the Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including React, TypeScript, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS technologies like EventBridge and ...

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer ... Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.  

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer ... Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.  

Principal Software Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer ... Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.  

Principal Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$144K - $195K/yr

Additionally, the Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including React, TypeScript, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS technologies like EventBridge and ...

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer ... Collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI, Quality Assurance, and DevOps teams.  

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Showing results 1-20

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 10, 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:
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 or Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Principal or Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

San Diego, CA

$133K - $183K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 338 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

105th of 516 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal or a Sr. Principal Software Engineer to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. This position will be sourced out of Software Engineering organization in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

In this role you will work in an embedded technology environment to develop, integrate, and test software working with real-time operating systems for use in flight and mission critical systems, with a particular focus on hardware/software integration and modeling and simulation software development. You will work with multi-disciplinary teams, such as with Systems Engineering, Real-time & Embedded Software, Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineering, DevSecOps, and Systems Test. In an Agile software development environment, candidates will work on software supporting various systems in all phases of the software development lifecycle including requirements, design, development, integration, and test. The position requires working knowledge of the full development life-cycle processes that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Candidates must exhibit strong leadership characteristics in coordinating with multiple teams and managing tasks.

Roles and Responsibilities will include but not limited to :

  • Design, development, maintenance, and execution of automated software tests for qualification of embedded software products

  • Experienced in working in a lab environment on an Agile project

  • Knowledge of, and experience working in, all phases for the Software Development Lifecycle

  • Analyze requirements allocated to computer software configuration items (CSCI).

  • Develop detailed, clear, and concise technical documentation.

  • Candidate will work with software developers and other engineers, as needed, to help diagnose and identify the root cause of problems found during software installation, integration, acceptance test, and operational events.

  • Submit detailed problem reports for errors found.

Candidates must be comfortable in development, lab, and operational environments, as well as be able to collaborate closely with system engineers, hardware designers, integration/test engineers, and program leadership.

**This role may be filled at either the Principal Software Engineer or a Sr. Principal Software Engineer level based on the qualifications below.**

Basic Qualifications:

  • Principal: Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience OR a PhD degree in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience

  • Sr. Principal: Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience OR a PhD degree in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience

  • Experience with safety-critical embedded real time software.

  • Experience with developing software and scripts in C/C++, and Python.

  • Experience with software development methodologies and frameworks such as waterfall and / or Agile for all phases of the software development life cycle.

  • Experience with software change control, change management, and CI/CD tools such as: Atlassian tool suite, GitHub, GitLab, AND/OR Jenkins.

  • Experience with software architecture, design, implementation, integration, debugging, and testing safety-critical embedded real time software written in C/C++ running on real-time operating systems such as: VxWorks, Integrity, AND/OR Real Time Embedded Linux.

  • Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Top -Secret clearance, and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonableperiod of time, as determined by the company.(Note: SAP/PAR will be upgraded once selected candidate is in role. Therefore, candidates must also be able to obtain and maintain upgraded SAP/PAR.)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with UAV route planning, routing algorithms or other geometrically based algorithms.

  • Familiarity with static code analysis tools such as: Coverity, SonarQube, and Fortify.

  • Familiarity with using MATLAB

  • Previous experience with existing avionic system

  • Recent experience and proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, AND/OR Bash.

  • Recent experience and proficiency with multi-threaded programming in C/C++ for real time systems.

  • Differentiating characteristics include demonstrated leadership, excellent teamwork, and excellent oral and written communication.

  • Recent experience and proficiency with multi-threaded programming in C/C++ for real time systems.

  • Experience with SOAP and Java services.

  • Recent experience and proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, AND/OR Bash.

  • Current Special Program Access

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939