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Principal Software Developer Jobs in Toronto, ON

Principal Software Developer

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$131K - CA$191K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Engineer to own and deliver complex modules within our Search ... Partner with Software Architects, Product Managers and Engineering Managers to design technical ...

Principal Software Developer

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$215K - CA$291K/yr

Come join Intuit as a Principal Software Developer and help us power prosperity around the world. We are looking for engineers that love to take on new challenges, solve tough problems, and have deep ...

Principal Software Developer

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$209K - CA$283K/yr

Come join Intuit as a Principal Software Developer and help us power prosperity around the world. We are looking for engineers that love to take on new challenges, solve tough problems, and have deep ...

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior, hands-on technical leader who sets architectural ... We work in an agile environment with modern DevOps practices built around Git-based workflows. You ...

Title and Summary Principal Software Engineer Overview: The Principal Engineer shapes technical architecture, solution patterns, and engineering approaches for strategic initiatives within Mastercard ...

TTEC Digital seeks a Principal Software Engineer to join our team. This role is a full-time and fully remote opportunity! The work: We're an innovation group inside TTEC (NASDAQ: TTEC), building the ...

The role We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help architect and scale the core systems that power Passage. This is a senior technical leadership role focused on building reliable ...

We are seeking a visionary Principal Software Engineer to join our Engineering team. In this role, you will drive our technical strategy, tackle our most complex engineering challenges, and lead the ...

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help lead the architecture, execution, and operational excellence of this platform. This is a senior individual contributor role for an engineer ...

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will set the technical direction for the backend, AI orchestration, and identity systems that turn frontier models into reliable, secure, production-grade ...

Principal Software Engineer

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$112K - CA$162K/yr

The Role As a Principal Software Engineer on ourData Feed Platform team (Direct - Data & Research), you will partner with product owners and engineering teams to shape the technical direction of our ...

Principal Software Engineer

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$180K - CA$210K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: Toronto (Onsite/ Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time Hiring Timeline: Immediate Reporting Line: Head of R&D Existing Vacancy: Yes Application Deadline: Open until Filled ...

Principal Software Engineer

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$180K - CA$210K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: Toronto (Onsite/ Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time Hiring Timeline: Immediate Reporting Line: Head of R&D Existing Vacancy: Yes Application Deadline: Open until Filled ...

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Showing results 1-20

Principal Software Developer information

See Toronto, ON salary details

$77.8K

$139.4K

$256.2K

How much do principal software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software developer in Toronto, ON is $139,359.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,023.00 and $160,806.00 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 Toronto, ON as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 72% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,359 per year, or $67 per hour.

Principal Software Developer

Toronto, ON • On-site

Autodesk
Software Development • 10K+ employees

CA$131K - CA$191K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development, and operations of highly scalable, distributed, data intensive micro-services.

  • Help meet SLAs of large-scale micro-services through monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization.

  • Help to hire, mentor engineers, and perform design and code reviews to ensure best practices.


Autodesk rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Requisition ID #

26WD99852

Position Overview

Welcome to Autodesk!

The world's innovators, designers, engineers, builders, and creators trust Autodesk to help them design and make a better world for all. Autodesk's Design and Make Platform empowers everyone, everywhere to design and make anything. From the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive over. From the products we use and technology we rely on, to the movies and games that inspire us. Everything around us is made using Autodesk software. Autodesk's leading Design and Make Platform offers customers the technology to help them create the world around us, and the critical insights and data to deliver better outcomes for their business and the planet.

At Autodesk, we celebrate all the real-world problem solvers, creative rebels, and innovators who are driven to improve the reality around us. Because we don't believe in waiting for progress; we believe in making it. When you're an Autodesker, you can be your whole, authentic self and do meaningful work that helps build a better future for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!


We are looking for a Principal Engineer to own and deliver complex modules within our Search Infrastructure within Autodesk Platform Services. You will work with system architects, Sr principal engineers to build modern and scalable Search Platform that powers the search experiences across Autodesk's Industry Clouds - Fusion, Forma and Flow, and solve demanding distributed systems and algorithmic problems.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development and operations of highly scalable, distributed, data intensive micro-services

  • Champion adopting industry best practices to push the development standards within the team.

  • Partner with Software Architects, Product Managers and Engineering Managers to design technical solutions to drive business outcomes

  • Help to meet SLAs of large-scale micro-services with monitoring, troubleshooting and optimizing

  • Lead detection, recovery and postmortems of production incidents

  • Help to hire, mentor Engineers, help build fast-growing and high-performing teams

  • Perform thorough design and code reviews, drive best practices to clean and maintainable code

Minimum Qualifications

  • BS in Computer Science or related field or equivalent work experience

  • Strong Computer Science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, distributed systems, and data management

  • Thorough knowledge of multi-threading, concurrency, and parallel processing concepts

  • Exceptional proficiency in Java or Golang or similar programming language

  • 10+ years of experience in building and running large scale systems

  • Thorough understanding of database systems (e.g. MySQL, DynamoDB) including scalability, performance, and consistency characteristics

  • Expertise with modern technology stacks, API design, microservices, stream processing and designing for resilience and operational excellence

  • Strong communicator. You enjoy synthesizing, simplifying, and articulating complex problems to other engineers

  • Expertise in Cloud Infrastructure platforms such as AWS.

  • Exposure to Information Retrieval with hands on experience in Lucene/ElasticSearch/OpenSearch

Preferred Qualifications

  • Exposure to Vector Databases and ML Infrastructure

  • Exposure to Knowledge Graph/ Graph Databases

  • Experience in monitoring and improving Reliability of a complex system at scale.

  • Aware of Security and Compliance challenges in Cloud products and/or platforms

Learn More

About Autodesk

Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software - from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made.

We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk - it's at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world.

When you're an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!

Salary transparency

Salary is one part of Autodesk's competitive compensation package. For Canada based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $131,000 and $191,400. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Belonging
We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/global-belonging


In-Person Onboarding and Identity Verification

This role may require in-person onboarding and/or in-person ID verification.

Are you an existing contractor or consultant with Autodesk?

Please search for open jobs and apply internally (not on this external site).


What Autodesk employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Autodesk logo

About Autodesk

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Autodesk is changing how the world is designed and made. Our technology spans architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media, and entertainment, empowering innovators everywhere to solve challenges big and small. From greener buildings to smarter products to more mesmerizing blockbusters, Autodesk software helps our customers to design and make a better world for all. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

Industry

Software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Rafael, CA, US

Year founded

1982