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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Fullbay

Principal Software Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$174K - $200K/yr

Principal Software Engineer About Us: At Fullbay, our mission is simple - to create safer roads for our families and yours. As leaders in the heavy-duty repair industry, we power shops with ...

Fullbay

Principal Software Engineer

Phoenix, AZ

$134K - $179K/yr

Principal Software Engineer About Us: At Fullbay, our mission is simple - to create safer roads for our families and yours. As leaders in the heavy-duty repair industry, we power shops with ...

Fullbay

Principal Software Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$134K - $179K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer will drive innovation and establish best practices for Fullbay's SaaS platform, leading complex projects and mentoring engineers to enhance organizational capabilities.

Komatsu

Principal Software Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$116K - $155K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Posting Start Date: 5/28/26 Job Location (Short): Tucson, Arizona, USA, 85706 Requisition ID: 32777 Onsite or Remote: Onsite Position Shape the Future of Mining with ...

Komatsu

Principal Software Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$125K - $168K/yr

Komatsu is a world leader in manufacturing construction and mining equipment, and they are seeking a Principal Software Engineer for their Autonomous Haulage System. This role involves leading cross ...

Insight

$133K - $178K/yr

Requisition Number: 104196 Principal Software Engineer, AI Solutions Location: You will have the flexibility to work fully remote from anywhere across the US. Insight at a Glance * 14,000+ engaged ...

Sprouts Farmers Market

Principal Software Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$134K - $179K/yr

Overview The Principal Software Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for driving the design, architecture, and delivery of large-scale AI-powered systems across retail platforms. This ...

Sprouts Farmers Market

Principal Software Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$134K - $179K/yr

Overview The Principal Software Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for driving the design, architecture, and delivery of large-scale AI-powered systems across retail platforms. This ...

Shutterfly

Principal Software Engineer

Tempe, AZ · On-site +1

$131K - $176K/yr

We are looking to add a Principal Software Engineer (full stack) who will be instrumental in the design and development of the Snapfish website. We're looking for someone who brings fresh ideas from ...

Shutterfly

Principal Software Engineer

Tempe, AZ · On-site +1

$131K - $176K/yr

We are looking to add a Principal Software Engineer (full stack) who will be instrumental in the design and development of the Snapfish website. We're looking for someone who brings fresh ideas from ...

Insight

Requisition Number: 104198 Principal Software Engineer, AI Solutions Location: You will have the flexibility to work fully remote from anywhere across the US. Insight at a Glance * 14,000+ engaged ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs in Arizona

Principal Software Engineer information

See Arizona salary details

$56.4K

$150K

$215.3K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Arizona is $149,975.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,800.00 and $168,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Principal Software Engineers?

Principal Software Engineers are highly experienced technical leaders responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing complex software systems. They set technical direction, mentor engineering teams, and often collaborate with stakeholders to align technology solutions with business goals. In addition to coding, they play a key role in establishing best practices, reviewing architectural decisions, and ensuring high-quality software delivery. Their expertise and leadership are critical in driving innovation and maintaining technical excellence within an organization.

What engineers make $500,000?

Principal Software Engineers and senior technical leaders in high-demand industries can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in areas like cloud computing or AI, and often in large tech companies or executive roles. Compensation packages may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, reflecting their expertise and leadership responsibilities.

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal Software Engineers and senior technical leaders in high-demand industries such as technology, finance, and cloud computing often earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in areas like distributed systems or machine learning, and relevant certifications. Compensation varies based on company size, location, and individual expertise.

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.

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.

Is it possible to make 300k as a software engineer?

Principal Software Engineers in high-demand industries or at large tech companies can earn salaries of $300,000 or more, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and stock options. Achieving this level often requires advanced expertise in areas like cloud computing, machine learning, or leadership roles, along with a strong track record of project success.

What Is 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.

How much does a principal software engineer get paid?

A principal software engineer typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually in the United States, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and company size. They often have advanced skills in software architecture, leadership, and technical expertise in programming languages and tools.
More about Principal Software Engineer jobs
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Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Fullbay

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

$174K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Principal Software Engineer
About Us:
At Fullbay, our mission is simple - to create safer roads for our families and yours. As leaders in the heavy-duty repair industry, we power shops with technology that helps them run smarter and more efficiently. As an AI-First company, we invite artificial intelligence to eliminate friction, spark innovation, and drive efficiencies in every conversation- for our teams and our customers.
Position Overview:
The Principal Software Engineer is a force-multiplier and technical leader who drives innovation, establishes best practices, and solves complex problems across Fullbay's SaaS platform helping independent mechanics manage their businesses. You'll combine exceptional technical depth with the breadth of experience needed to tackle any challenge-from architecting scalable distributed systems to mentoring engineers and influencing organizational strategy. This role requires someone who can quickly prototype solutions, deliver proof-of- concepts with new technologies, and turn big ideas into reality while maintaining production excellence.
You'll work as part of the Principal Engineers team-a unified group that coordinates cross-domain architectural decisions, establishes technical standards, and provides strategic guidance across the organization. While you'll be assigned to specific domain teams, your primary responsibility is organizational impact, not embedding in day-to-day execution.
What Sets You Apart
You're not just technically excellent-you're a teacher, mentor, and role model who helps elevate the team's capabilities. You have deep product knowledge and can effectively troubleshoot complex issues. When uncertain, you know how to debug systematically to get to the root cause. You're comfortable with greenfield projects and navigating ambiguity. You think strategically about long-term architecture while maintaining focus on delivering practical business value. You can communicate effectively with different audiences-adjusting your message for leadership, peers, and junior engineers. You stay current with industry practices and thoughtfully evaluate how new techniques could improve our products. You demonstrate ownership of production systems, taking responsibility for outcomes and fostering a culture
focused on learning and improvement. You're willing to drive consensus through ADRs and documentation rather than dictating solutions.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Technical Leadership & Innovation
  • Design and implement complex, high-impact features that significantly increase business value and advance Fullbay's capabilities
  • Drive architectural decisions that simplify implementations, improve performance, and establish patterns for the entire engineering organization
  • Investigate and evaluate new technologies, establish the technical platform, and define the stack
  • Quickly prototype solutions and deliver proof-of-concepts that turn speculative ideas into concrete implementations
  • Own production excellence-proactively identify issues, establish monitoring standards, and drive performance, scale, and availability goals
  • Cross-Organizational Impact
  • Work with principal engineers as a unified team to coordinate on technical initiatives spanning multiple domains
  • Establish and promote best practices for software development, including coding standards, system design patterns, and integration approaches
  • Lead Architecture Decision Record (ADR) processes and ensure alignment on technical standards
  • Serve as technical advisor to senior leadership-communicate development goals, progress, and strategic direction
  • Collaborate with the dev lead to define entry/exit criteria for how Product, QA, and Development teams work together, including checkpoints and release cadence
  • Mentorship & Team Development
  • Train engineers across the organization on modern programming practices, platform capabilities, and effective use of tools
  • Mentor other engineers through code reviews, pairing sessions, and formal training
  • Establish code review standards, branching strategies, and software development methodologies
  • Serve as the "go-to" expert for complex technical challenges across multiple teams
  • Build trust and rapport with fellow principal engineers to amplify collective impact
  • Platform & Process Excellence
  • Work with the Internal Developer Platform to improve developer experience and productivity
  • Establish metrics and standards for performance, scale, and availability
  • Evaluate and integrate third-party technologies to enhance the Fullbay stack
  • Define processes and frameworks for how engineering work happens across the organization
  • Contribute to FinOps initiatives and AWS cost optimization strategies
  • Work with 3d party applications and companies to add to our Fullbay stack for best results
  • Adheres to all confidentiality and compliance regulations.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Our Technical Environment
  • Frontend: TypeScript, React (modern patterns with hooks), Module Federation for micro-frontends
  • Backend: Java (Quarkus, SnapStart optimization), Node.js/TypeScript, Go
  • AWS Services: Lambda (with Lambda resolvers for AppSync), Fargate, AppSync (GraphQL APIs with VTL and JavaScript resolvers), DynamoDB, EventBridge, Step Functions, API Gateway, CloudFront, WAF
  • Architecture: Microservices, event-driven systems, serverless-first approach
  • Tools: GitHub Enterprise, Terraform for Infrastructure as Code, AI-enhanced development (Claude Code)

Minimum Education & Work Experience:
  • 10-15 years of experience in software design and development
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
  • Proven ability to design and implement scalable, distributed systems
  • Strong communication skills with ability to influence technical decisions across the organization
  • Experience working collaboratively with Product Management and QA teams

Key Skills and Qualifications:
  • Modern Software Design and Coding methodologies
  • Development and Design best practices based on experience and knowledge of
  • Work with modern industry 3rd party technologies and ability to compare and contrast and help make great buying decisions (or build decisions)
  • Knowledge and experience with Product Management and Test methodologies
  • Create the process and frameworks for how development will happen in Engineering
  • Ability to form-factor messages and communication to Leadership vs peers vs software engineers
  • Knowledge and experience with improving Performance, Scale and Availability of software and modern capabilities like processor, caching and backend accelerators of performance

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
  • Regularly required to sit at a desk in front of a computer and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls (including a computer keyboard and operating a telephone), lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
  • Frequently requires the use of hands and arms for reaching, as well as the ability to walk and communicate effectively through speaking and listening.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
  • Type on a computer keyboard and look at a computer monitor, and operate a cell phone or a computer-based phone.

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