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Principal Software Developer Jobs in Massachusetts

Principal Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$146K - $196K/yr

Principal Software Engineer We're looking for ... A PrincipalSoftware Engineer to join the world-class team combining two of the top private sale e-commerce destinations. This is an opportunity to be ...

We are looking for a collaborative, customer-focused, and creative principal software engineer to develop a high-performance mobile application framework that powers on-device machine learning models ...

Principal Software Engineer

Lowell, MA · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

Position: Principal Software Engineer Location: Lowell, MA Duration: 12 Months Rate: Open The ... developer in bringing up and validating board operation; Memories, switch devices, I/O ...

Principal Software Engineer

Waltham, MA · Hybrid

$145K - $195K/yr

Xometry is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join our Xometry Partner Experience Technology Organization. In this role as a senior individual contributor, you will guide software ...

Principal Software Engineer (Cloud)

Boston, MA · On-site

$146K - $196K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer (Cloud) to help define and build the technical foundation of our AI-native cybersecurity platform. As a Principal Engineer, you will lead the design and ...

Principal Software Test Engineer

Newton, MA · On-site

$148K - $198K/yr

The Principal Software Test Engineer will be an integral member in the Affera Software Team, working on cutting-edge technology in the electrophysiology field. This role offers a rare chance to be at ...

Principal Software Test Engineer

Newton, MA · On-site

$148K - $198K/yr

The Principal Software Test Engineer will be an integral member in the Affera Software Team, working on cutting-edge technology in the electrophysiology field. This role offers a rare chance to be at ...

Principal Software Engineer

Lowell, MA · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

Red Hat Core Business Platforms is looking for a strategic and visionary Principal Software ... Define the strategy and work with DevOps teams to architect and optimize the deployment and ...

Principal Software Engineer

Wellesley, MA

$148K - $198K/yr

Position Summary We are hiring a Principal Software Engineer - a deeply hands-on technical leader who thrives on solving complex problems, writing production code, and elevating the engineers around ...

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Showing results 1-20

Principal Software Developer information

See Massachusetts salary details

$103.2K

$154.2K

$202.6K

How much do principal software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software developer in Massachusetts is $154,176.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,900.00 and $169,300.00 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 job categories do people searching Principal Software Developer jobs in Massachusetts look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Developer jobs in Massachusetts are:
Infographic showing various Principal Software Developer job openings in Massachusetts as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 64% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $154,176 per year, or $74.1 per hour.
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Roberts Recruiting

Boston, MA • On-site

$146K - $196K/yr

Other

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Principal Software Engineer
We're looking for ...
APrincipalSoftware Engineerto join the world-class team combining two of the top private sale e-commerce destinations. This is an opportunity to be directly involved in scaling our systems towards $1B annual sales using best-of-breed technologies
You will:
  • Future development and architecture for our consumer facing, eCommerce website
  • Deliver fast user experience for our desktop and mobile web users, utilizing python, django, backbone elasticsearch, and other cutting edge technologies
You have:
  • Extensive SaaS experience, consumer facing preferred
  • A drive to iterate architecture in harmony with an agile workflow
  • Experience with modern objected-oriented development, dynamic languagepreferred
  • Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development team
  • A love of learning
ABOUT US:
We combineworld-class merchandising, technology and marketing to create the most engaging and satisfying online shopping experience available. Each day, 30+ million loyal Members turn to us for everything from women, men and children's apparel and accessories to home decor and exclusive experiences. Our approach to retail brings excitement to online shopping in a way that not only strategically supports our brand partners, but also inspires our Members daily.