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Principal Software Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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.

Synergy ECP

Principal Software Developer

Columbia, MD · On-site

S. Citizenship The Software Developer will develop and maintain a framework that intelligently and dynamically makes real-time decisions based on multi-tiered analytics. The ideal candidate will be ...

IPG Photonics

Principal Software Engineer

Minneapolis, MN

$140K - $188K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join the Material Processing Systems Group in the development of advanced laser-based manufacturing systems. This position serves as a principal ...

Oracle

Principal Software Developer

Seattle, WA · On-site

You will perform software development tasks associated with the developing, designing and debugging of software applications or operating systems. You will be able to work with Engineering Managers ...

THREE

Principal Software Developer

Pittston, PA · On-site

Expanding our team, we are adding experienced software innovators to enhance our development efforts. This role is ideal for experienced developers who are well-versed in the development environment ...

Oracle

Principal Software Developer

Seattle, WA · On-site

You will perform software development tasks associated with the developing, designing and debugging of software applications or operating systems. You will be able to work with Engineering Managers ...

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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 Jun 15, 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 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.
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Principal Software Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Developer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 67% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,171 per year, or $67.9 per hour.
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

TCS

Huntsville, AL • On-site

$133K - $178K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Clearances Required: Active DoD Secret

Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States

Job Description

TCS is searching for a Principal Software Engineer to join our strong team of Engineers supporting our Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) customer in Huntsville, AL. The GMD program is a portion of the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) system to protect the US and our allies from ballistic missile attacks. The selected candidate will use modern tools to further the development and sustainment of the GMD system.

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This is an in-office position. Remote work is not available.

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Role:

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.

Essential Functions:

  • The Principal Software Engineer will be responsible for understanding, implementing, and testing both existing and new capabilities and algorithms, which include complex mathematics and physics-based solutions, that directly support GWS capabilities on behalf of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
  • As a Principal Software Engineer on the GFC team, you will be part of a team that writes the software (currently ~1.5 million lines of code) that evaluates and manages the threat scene for the missile defense system that protects the US.
  • The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/teams comprised of all experience levels.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline preferred from an accredited university and 5 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree and 3 years of related work experience, or 1 year of related work experience with a PhD.
  • Recent experience developing software in C++ or Java or Ada
  • Willingness to become proficient with Ada software development
  • Applicants must possess good communication skills.
  • Applicants must demonstrate ability to think critically and capture concepts in work products, presentations, and discussions.
  • Capable of working both independently and within a team environment.
  • Must be able to support an in-person / closed-area work environment.
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time to support business needs.
  • Applicants must have a current active in-scope DoD-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Highly experienced with Linux, scripting, and operations
  • Recent MATLAB and Python experience
  • Experience on a large-scale missile defense system like GMD.
  • Advanced degree or strong background in Mathematics or Physics
  • Battle Management or Fire Control experience.
  • Experience with Agile Project Management tools (Jira/Confluence) and DevSecOps tools and methods (Jenkins, Ansible, Git/Gitlab) of continuous integration/continuous delivery and deployment (CI/CD) automation.

Benefits:

  • Highlights of our benefits include BC/BS Health, Dental, Vision, 401(k) match, Profit Sharing, Flexible Time Off, STD/LTD/Life Insurance, Referral Bonuses, professional development reimbursement, vacation, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave.

Apply online or visit us at www.tcs-inc.com/careers

TCS, Inc. is an EEO Employer.