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Principal Software Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BigBear.ai

Principal Software Developer

Washington, DC · On-site

BigBear.ai is seeking a Principal Software Developer to join our GALE (Generic Area Limitation Environment) Support team. This is your chance to work on impactful projects that directly support the ...

TCS

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$133K - $178K/yr

The selected Principal Software Engineer responsibilities will include the support of the GMD Weapons System (GWS) program as an individual contributor on the GMD Fire Control (GFC) product.

TCS

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$133K - $178K/yr

The selected Principal Software Engineer responsibilities will include the support of the GMD Weapons System (GWS) program as an individual contributor on the GMD Fire Control (GFC) product.

Worky

Principal Software Developer

Medina, MN · On-site

$127 - $159/hr

A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field. * 8-12 years of related experience OR an advanced degree with less experience. * Strong understanding of ...

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Principal Software Developer information

See salary details

$94.5K

$141.2K

$185.5K

How much do principal software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software developer in the United States is $141,171.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,500.00 and $155,000.00 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.

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Principal Software Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Developer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,171 per year, or $67.9 per hour.

Principal Software Developer

BigBear.ai

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Residency
All applicants must reside in the United States at the time of application.
Overview
Are you ready to take your career to the next level? BigBear.ai is seeking a Principal Software Developer to join our GALE (Generic Area Limitation Environment) Support team. This is your chance to work on impactful projects that directly support the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community (IC). At BigBear.ai, we empower organizations to make sense of their data through cutting-edge technology, transforming massive volumes of structured and unstructured data into actionable insights every single day.
As one of the fastest-growing AI/ML companies in the industry, BigBear.ai is more than just a workplace; it's a community of innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators. We prioritize growth, recognition, and work-life balance, ensuring our employees thrive both professionally and personally. If you're looking for a role where your contributions truly matter, we'd love to hear from you!
What you will do
  • Innovate and Build: Dive into hands-on development on a large-scale codebase, tackling tasks such as processing large datasets within the JavaFX framework, optimizing storage solutions, and integrating external APIs to deliver new features.
  • Collaborate and Connect: Split your time between remote development and working on-site with customers, ensuring your work has a direct impact.
  • Focus on Engineering: Enjoy a role that prioritizes technical development with minimal administrative overhead or red tape.

What you need to have
Bachelor's Degree and 5 to 8 years of experience; Master's Degree and 3 to 6 years of experience; PhD and 0 to 3 years of experience (in lieu of Bachelor's degree, 6 additional years of relevant experience)
  • Clearance: Must maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance
  • Proficiency in Java (11+) is preferred
  • Experience with Spring (Boot/Framework/Security)
  • Familiarity with Git source control

What we'd like you to have
  • Additional Clearance: Active CI Polygraph.
  • Technical Expertise:
    • Knowledge of JavaFX.
    • Geospatial data experience.
    • Background in math and algorithm creation.
    • Experience with Extract/Transform/Load (ETL) processes.
    • OpenGL experience.
    • Familiarity with Ant and Eclipse.
  • Domain Knowledge:
    • Experience working within the DoD.
    • Streaming data expertise (ideally websocket-based).
    • Event-based programming knowledge.
    • Experience with microservices and gateways.
    • Proficiency in working with external APIs.

Pay transparency
Please note the targeted compensation range is provided as an estimate, and any actual compensation offer may vary depending on the needs of the company, or an applicant's skillset, competencies, experience, education, certifications, location, or other factors. The estimated range does not include the value of any benefits offered.
About BigBear.ai
Why Join BigBear.ai?
At BigBear.ai, we're not just building software-we're building solutions that make a difference. We believe in empowering our employees to grow, innovate, and succeed. Here's what you can expect when you join our team:
  • Growth Opportunities: We invest in your professional development, providing opportunities to learn, lead, and advance your career.
  • Recognition: Your contributions are valued and celebrated. At BigBear.ai, you're not just a number-you're a vital part of our success.
  • Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of balance and offer a supportive environment that allows you to thrive both at work and at home.
  • Impactful Work: Be part of a team that tackles real-world challenges, delivering solutions that matter to our customers and the nation.

If you're ready to join a company that values your skills, fosters your growth, and challenges you to innovate, BigBear.ai is the place for you. Let's build the future together!
BigBear.ai is a leading provider of AI-powered decision intelligence solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. Customers and partners rely on Bigbear.ai's predictive analytics capabilities in highly complex, distributed, mission-based operating environments. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BigBear.ai is a public company traded on the NYSE under the symbol BBAI. For more information, visit and follow BigBear.ai on LinkedIn: @BigBear.ai and X: @BigBearai.
BigBear.ai is an Equal Opportunity Employer of all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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