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Principal Software Engineer 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.

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.

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Tysons Corner, VA · On-site

$135K - $182K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$136K - $183K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$152K - $205K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$155K - $208K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

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Principal Software Engineer information

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$60.5K

$160.9K

$231K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in the United States is $160,936.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,000.00 and $181,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal software engineer?

A principal software engineer is in charge of software development. In this career, you guide the software design process and inspect software programs to make suggestions for improvements. Principal software engineers also process complex data and may need to enforce software design, development, and maintenance requirements. Your job requires a high level of technical knowledge and skills and a thorough understanding of the software development process. Your employer may require you to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in software development. Similar job titles include software architect and principal software developer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Software Engineer, you need deep expertise in software architecture, programming languages, and system design, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field. Advanced proficiency with development frameworks, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), and familiarity with DevOps tools and agile methodologies are typically required. Exceptional leadership, mentorship, and communication skills help facilitate cross-functional collaboration and guide technical teams. These skills are crucial for driving technical vision, ensuring scalable solutions, and fostering innovation within complex projects.

How does a principal software engineer typically balance hands-on coding with leadership responsibilities?

Principal Software Engineers often split their time between technical contributions—such as designing system architecture and reviewing complex code—and guiding teams through mentorship, technical direction, and cross-functional collaboration. While they may not code as much as junior engineers, they remain highly involved in critical implementations and code reviews. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong time management, clear communication, and the ability to prioritize tasks that have the highest impact on project and team success.

What is the difference between Principal Software Engineer vs Senior Software Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Software EngineerSenior Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in CS or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in CS; several years of experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationDesign, develop, and troubleshoot software; mentorship
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, large enterprises, startupsMost industries, including tech, finance, healthcare

The main difference between a Principal Software Engineer and a Senior Software Engineer lies in their level of responsibility and scope. Principal Software Engineers typically lead technical strategy, influence architecture decisions, and mentor multiple teams, whereas Senior Software Engineers focus on coding, design, and individual project contributions. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the Principal role emphasizes leadership and strategic impact.

How much does a principal software engineer get paid?

A principal software engineer typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often have advanced skills in software architecture, leadership, and technical expertise in programming languages and tools.
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Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,936 per year, or $77.4 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

TempWorks Software Incorporated

Frisco, TX • On-site

$180 - $230/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Job Overview

We have a new Principal Software Engineer – AI Platform & Architecture role. https://thomsonreuters.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Career_Site/job/United-States-of-America-Eagan-Minnesota/Principal-Software-Engineer---AI-Platform---Architecture_JREQ201853-5

Target Candidates
  • Principal / Senior Staff / Staff Software Engineers
  • AI Platform Architects
  • Software Architects
  • Technical Architects
Must‑Have Skills
  • AI Platform Architecture
  • System Design
  • Distributed Systems
  • Python
  • C#/.NET
  • AWS
  • LLMs, AI Agents & MCP APIs
  • Microservices & FastAPI
  • Enterprise-scale backend platforms
  • Hands‑on technical leadership
Target Companies
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • OpenAI
  • Anthropic
  • NVIDIA
  • Databricks
  • Snowflake
  • Stripe
  • Intuit
  • ServiceNow
  • Uber
  • Airbnb
  • Atlassian
  • Salesforce
  • Palantir
  • Similar product companies
Hybrid Locations
  • Eagan/Minneapolis, MN
  • Frisco, TX
  • New York City, NY
  • Ann Arbor, MI
  • Toronto, ON

Please prioritize candidates with strong architecture ownership, production AI experience, and Principal‑level technical leadership.

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