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Principal Software Development Engineer Jobs in California

Zscaler

Principal Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · Hybrid

$158K - $212K/yr

Role We are looking for a Principal Software Development Engineer to join our team. This is a hybrid (3 days/week) or remote (within the Pacific Timezone) role, reporting to the Senior Manager ...

Roche

Principal Software Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$158K - $212K/yr

Roche is a global leader in healthcare innovation, committed to advancing science and ensuring access to healthcare. The Principal Software Development Engineer will develop solutions for Hardware-in ...

Zscaler

Principal Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$158K - $212K/yr

Role We are looking for a Principal Software Development Engineer to join our team. This is a hybrid (3 days/week) or remote (within the Pacific Timezone) role, reporting to the Senior Manager ...

Zscaler

Principal Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$158K - $212K/yr

Role We are looking for a Principal Software Development Engineer to join our team. This is a hybrid (3 days/week) or remote (within the Pacific Timezone) role, reporting to the Senior Manager ...

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All JobsPrincipal Software Development Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Development Engineer Jobs in California

Principal Software Development Engineer information

See California salary details

$59.7K

$158.8K

$228K

How much do principal software development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software development engineer in California is $158,829.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,200.00 and $178,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal software development engineer?

A Principal Software Development Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for designing, developing, and guiding complex software projects. They often set technical direction, mentor engineering teams, and ensure best practices are followed across projects. Principal engineers collaborate closely with product managers, architects, and other stakeholders to deliver scalable and robust software solutions. Their role usually requires extensive experience in software engineering, deep technical expertise, and strong leadership skills.

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

To thrive as a Principal Software Development Engineer, you need deep expertise in software architecture, advanced programming skills, and a strong foundation in computer science, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Mastery of development frameworks, cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and familiarity with CI/CD tools are commonly required, along with experience leading code reviews and technical teams. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help you mentor others and drive cross-functional projects to success. These skills and qualities are critical for guiding technical direction, ensuring high-quality solutions, and fostering innovation within engineering teams.

How does a principal software development engineer typically collaborate with other teams within the organization?

As a Principal Software Development Engineer, you will frequently work cross-functionally with product managers, designers, and other engineering teams to align technical solutions with business goals. You may also mentor junior engineers, participate in architectural reviews, and help drive the adoption of best practices across teams. This role often involves leading technical discussions, facilitating communication between stakeholders, and ensuring that projects are delivered efficiently and at a high standard. Collaborative skills and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly are essential for success in this position.
Principal Software Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Development Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,829 per year, or $76.4 per hour.

Principal Software Development Engineer

Fortinet

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$157K - $211K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Fortinet is a leading cybersecurity company, and they are seeking a Principal Software Development Engineer to drive, develop, and maintain their products. The role involves working with cross-functional teams to implement high-quality software features and improve systems and frameworks.
Responsibilities:
• Work with developers within the team and on other cross-functional projects, as well as project management to drive, develop, and maintain the product
• Develop and maintain software components on current and future products
• Hands on in bug fixing current products
• Implement software features of high quality and on schedule
• Integrate, maintain, and improve both 3 rd -Party and proprietary code.
• Design and implement core systems and frameworks, as well new features that build off them
• Communicate effectively, both verbal and written
Qualifications:
Required:
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in networking related software development
• B.S. in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering; M.S. highly preferable
• Strong C/C++ experience in Unix/Linux environment are essential
• Strong understanding of REST API semantics and their application in networking appliances
• Experience in using libcurl for formulating REST API calls
• Experience with JSON data objects and their creation and parsing semantics
• Experience with multi process/thread programming using Posix and System
• Solid grasp of networking fundamentals, specifically TCP/IP networking, switching and routing
• Solid understanding of principles of network management
• Knowledge of general QA procedures and methodologies as well as software development fundamentals
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
Preferred:
• Experience with embedded systems is a plus
• Experience with networking principles is a plus
• Experience with firewall configurations and operation is a plus
Company:
Fortinet is a provider of network security appliances that include firewalls, security gateways, and complementary products. It is a sub-organization of Fortinet Federal. Founded in 2000, the company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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