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Principal Software Developer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Apogee Research, LLC

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$155K - $208K/yr

Apogee Research is at the forefront of a revolution in how the DoD operates, and they are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the creation of capabilities addressing currently unmet needs ...

Leidos

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in developing the forefront of unmanned and autonomous ship development for the US Government. Based in Arlington, VA, you ...

Leidos

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in developing the forefront of unmanned and autonomous ship development for the US Government. Based in Arlington, VA, you ...

Leidos

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Description We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in developing the forefront of unmanned and autonomous ship development for the US Government. Based in ...

CarMax, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

We own the developer portal, golden path frameworks, and the agentic AI tooling platform: MCP ... Purpose of the Role Principal Engineers within the Developer Experience team sit at the heart of ...

Carmax

Principal Software Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

We own the developer portal, golden path frameworks, and the agentic AI tooling platform: MCP ... Purpose of the Role Principal Engineers within the Developer Experience team sit at the heart of ...

Carmax

Principal Software Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$142K - $214K/yr

We own the developer portal, golden path frameworks, and the agentic AI tooling platform: MCP ... Purpose of the Role Principal Engineers within the Developer Experience team sit at the heart of ...

ATPCO

Principal Software Engineer

Herndon, VA · Remote

As a Principal Software Engineer , you won't just contribute--you'll lead from the front, solving some of the hardest technical challenges in distributed systems, performance engineering, and large ...

ATPCO

Principal Software Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site +1

$139K - $185K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer , you won't just contribute-you'll lead from the front, solving some of the hardest technical challenges in distributed systems, performance engineering, and large ...

ATPCO

Principal Software Engineer

Herndon, VA · Remote

$139K - $185K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer , you won't just contribute-you'll lead from the front, solving some of the hardest technical challenges in distributed systems, performance engineering, and large ...

Blue Star Families

Principal Software Engineer

Ashburn, VA · Hybrid

$138K - $185K/yr

The successful candidate will be the lead developer for embedded software within DTECH, as well as supporting other projects. The role is initially technically focussed, but we are looking for a ...

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All JobsPrincipal Software Developer JobsPrincipal Software Developer Jobs in Virginia

Principal Software Developer information

See Virginia salary details

$93.7K

$140K

$183.9K

How much do principal software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software developer in Virginia is $139,960.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,400.00 and $153,700.00 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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Principal Software Developers in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and stock options or bonuses. Compensation varies based on company size, location, and individual performance.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal Software Developers and senior engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership responsibilities can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation often depends on factors such as industry, location, company size, and expertise in areas like cloud computing, machine learning, or distributed systems.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Principal Software Developers and experienced software engineers in high-demand industries or senior roles can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with bonuses, stock options, or in high-cost-of-living areas. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and often leadership responsibilities or specialized expertise in areas like cloud computing or AI.

What does a principal software developer do?

A principal software developer leads the design, development, and implementation of complex software systems, often providing technical guidance to teams. They analyze requirements, set technical standards, and ensure code quality, typically using programming languages, development tools, and version control systems. This role requires strong problem-solving skills and experience in software architecture and project management.

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 Virginia? For Principal Software Developer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Software Developer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Developer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Developer jobs in VA? For Principal Software Developer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Principal Software Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Developer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,960 per year, or $67.3 per hour.
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Apogee Research, LLC

Arlington, VA • On-site

$155K - $208K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Job Summary:
Apogee Research is at the forefront of a revolution in how the DoD operates, and they are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the creation of capabilities addressing currently unmet needs in National Security. The role involves developing complex software solutions and mentoring junior team members while adapting to fast-paced and challenging environments.
Responsibilities:
• Performing hands-on technical work including design and development of algorithmically complex software, performance profiling, optimization, and general troubleshooting for a variety of software languages spanning from C++ to project-specific Domain Specific Languages (DSLs)
• A focus on addressing customer needs and facilitating creation of operationally relevant capabilities
• Supporting demonstration and testing of software in lab and test events
• Mentoring junior team members to foster growth of technical and program expertise
• Creating documentation and test suites to help warfighters and co-contractors leverage our solutions
• Learning new technologies and developing fundamentally new approaches as needed
Qualifications:
Required:
• Extensive experience building robust and maintainable software to solve algorithmically complex problems
• High proficiency in C++
• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of computer and network security
• Strong analytical and problem solving and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and remain well organized in a fast-paced environment
• All candidates must be a US citizen to apply
Preferred:
• Existing DoD Top Secret clearance is extremely desirable
• All candidates must be eligible to obtain a DoD Top Secret clearance
Company:
We blend agility with rigor to develop new technologies and transition them for operational use, with a focus on the rapid deployment and adaptation of robust, heterogeneous, distributed systems to improve National Security. Founded in 2011, the company is headquartered in Arlington, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

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