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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Alphatec Spine

Principal Software Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $187K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for defining the technical direction of the software platform and solving the organization's most complex engineering ...

Namely

Principal Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$158K - $211K/yr

Principal Software Engineer About the Team: This role is for the Cloud Engineering team within Cornerstone. The team is responsible for creating and managing Cornerstone's cloud infrastructure and ...

Northrop Grumman

Principal Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$145K - $195K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will: Design, develop, document, test, and debug applications software and systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions. Develop software utilizing ...

Alphatec Spine

Principal Software Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $187K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for defining the technical direction of the software platform and solving the organization's most complex engineering ...

Alphatec Spine

Principal Software Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $187K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for defining the technical direction of the software platform and solving the organization's most complex engineering ...

Internetwork Expert

Principal Software Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $187K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for defining the technical direction of the software platform and solving the organization's most complex engineering ...

Alphatec Spine

Principal Software Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $187K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for defining the technical direction of the software platform and solving the organization's most complex engineering ...

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Principal Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$59.7K

$158.8K

$228K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software 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 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 California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,829 per year, or $76.4 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Carlsbad, CA • On-site

Alphatec Spine
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Alphatec Spineexternal

$140K - $187K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for defining the technical direction of the software platform and solving the organization's most complex engineering challenges. This role provides technical leadership across multiple product areas, influences architecture and engineering practices, and partners with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, reliable, and clinically meaningful software solutions. The Principal Software Engineer serves as a trusted technical advisor, mentors engineers, and helps shape the long-term evolution of the software organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Define and drive the long-term software architecture and technical roadmap across multiple product releases.
  • Lead the design, implementation, and delivery of complex software systems and critical technical initiatives.
  • Serve as the technical authority for key platform technologies and provide guidance on architecture, algorithms, performance, scalability, and system integration.
  • Solve the organization's most challenging technical problems through hands-on engineering, system design, and root cause analysis.
  • Establish and promote software engineering best practices, including software architecture, design patterns, code quality, testing, automation, and CI/CD.
  • Mentor and coach software engineers through technical guidance, design reviews, code reviews, and knowledge sharing.
  • Drive technical alignment across Software, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Test Engineering, Clinical, Quality, Regulatory, and Product Management.
  • Translate clinical workflows, customer feedback, and business needs into scalable technical solutions.
  • Lead technical planning and influence engineering decisions that improve product quality, development efficiency, and long-term maintainability.
  • Identify and drive platform investments, reusable frameworks, and engineering tools that improve productivity across teams.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovations that support future product capabilities.
  • Support product development through participation in system integration, surgeon labs, field observations, and clinical evaluations.
Expected Impact
  • Defines the technical direction for major software platforms and future product generations.
  • Influences engineering decisions across multiple teams and organizations.
  • Raises the technical capability of the engineering organization through mentorship and technical leadership.
  • Delivers scalable, maintainable, and high-quality software that improves patient outcomes and customer experience.
  • Anticipates future technical challenges and proactively develops solutions before they become business constraints.
  • Represents software engineering in cross-functional planning, technical reviews, and executive discussions.

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