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Principal Software Developer Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

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Principal Software Developer information

See Denver, CO salary details

$90K

$134.4K

$176.6K

How much do principal software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software developer in Denver, CO is $134,410.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,600.00 and $147,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal software developer?

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.

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 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.

Infographic showing various Principal Software Developer job openings in Denver, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,410 per year, or $64.6 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer- Embedded OS

ALTEN Technology USA

Denver, CO • On-site, Remote

$125K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

As a Principal Software Engineer  you will be responsible for;

Key Responsibilities

Develop and maintain embedded platform software and build infrastructure

Create and support Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions

Create CI/CD pipelines integrated with security automation tools

Develop and maintain BSP software, including hypervisors and device drivers

Support networking security, secure boot, and OTA update mechanisms

Collaborate with product teams to define platform capabilities

Develop and document software engineering policies and procedures

Act as primary Platforms POC with program leads and other stakeholders

Technologies & Tools

AMD Zynq and Zynq UltraScale+ SoCs

Yocto-based Embedded Linux

Embedded hypervisors and Linux device drivers

Custom build systems and CI/CD pipelines

Docker and Artifactory

Python, Bash, and GNU Make

Atlassian tools (Bitbucket, Jira, Bamboo, Confluence) and GitHub/Gitlab

Networking security and secure boot technologies

Qualifications;

Strong experience in Yocto

Strong experience embedded Linux platform development

Hands-on experience with Xilinx SoC-based embedded systems (AMD Zynq 7000 series / Zynq UltraScale+, Kria SOM)

Experience with Yocto, build systems, and CI/CD pipelines

Solid understanding of BSP and OS layers, boot flows, and device security

Ability to collaborate in a cross-functional team with hardware, application, and product management stakeholders

Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies (Scrum)

Strong debugging and problem-solving skills 

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or technically related

7+ years of software development experience or, Master's Degree in Engineering or technically related

5+ years of software development experience, or PhD with 3 years of software development experience

Salary Range: $125k-$150k

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience 

MANDATORY FOR ALL REMOTE/HYBRID AND/OR CALIFORNIA, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, HAWAII, COLORADO, MARYLAND, CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, NEVADA, NEW YORK, RHODE ISLAND, WASHINGTON STATE & CINCINNATI, OHIO, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, TOLEDO, OHIO BASED ROLES. 

Note: Due to the nature of the work, only US Persons (citizens or permanent residents) need apply for this position. - OPTIONAL