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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Amgen

Principal Software Engineer

Tampa, FL

$127K - $171K/yr

Principal Software Engineer What you will do Let's do this. Let's change the world. In this vital role you will play a pivotal role in shaping our technology strategy and mentoring a team of talented ...

Amgen, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$127K - $171K/yr

Principal Software Engineer What you will do Let's do this. Let's change the world. In this vital role you will play a pivotal role in shaping our technology strategy and mentoring a team of talented ...

AeroVironment, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer

Melbourne, FL · On-site

$125K - $167K/yr

Worker Type Regular As a Principal Software E nginee r at AV, you'll develop software to control ... This role is ideal for engineers who take ownership, enjoy working hands-on with hardware, and ...

Amgen, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$127K - $171K/yr

Principal Software Engineer What you will do Let's do this. Let's change the world. In this vital role you will play a pivotal role in building and scaling our machine learning models from ...

UKG, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer- Eng

Sunrise, FL · On-site

$128K - $172K/yr

About the role - This Principal Software Engineer- Eng role serves as the technical authority and architectural leader for UKG's payroll processing platforms. You will define and evolve the technical ...

AeroVironment

Principal Software Engineer

Melbourne, FL · On-site

$1.3K/wk

Works closely with multiple teams of software developers reusing developed software to support ... Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. About AV: AV isn't for everyone. We hire the ...

DTCC

Principal Software Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$127K - $171K/yr

Software Developers work closely with business partners and / or external clients in defining requirements and implementing solutions. The Software Engineering role specializes in planning ...

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All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs in Florida

Principal Software Engineer information

See Florida salary details

$45.2K

$120.3K

$172.6K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Florida is $120,267.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,900.00 and $135,300.00 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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What job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in Florida look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in Florida are:
What cities in Florida are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in FL? For Principal Software Engineer jobs in FL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Florida as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $120,267 per year, or $57.8 per hour.
Senior/Principal Software Engineer

Senior/Principal Software Engineer

Red Canyon Engineering & Software

Merritt Island, FL • On-site, Remote

$130K - $200K/yr

Contractor

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Senior / Principal Flight Software Engineer - Space Systems
*REMOTE*
Working with a leading U.S. aerospace company looking to add Senior and Principal-level Flight Software Engineers to their satellite team.
This is a hands-on role focused on building and testing embedded flight software for spacecraft, with exposure across the full mission lifecycle. from early concept through on-orbit operations.
What you'll be doing:
  • Develop and test embedded C/C++ flight software for satellite platforms
  • Contribute across the full lifecycle:
  • Requirements definition & trade studies
  • Software architecture & development
  • Integration with flight hardware
  • Verification, validation, and operations
  • Support GNC-related software integration and system performance analysis
  • Build internal tools to evaluate flight software performance and mission compatibility
  • Work closely with hardware, systems, and test teams in a highly collaborative environment

Testing & Integration:
  • Execute testing across:
  • Unit, module, and system levels
  • Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) / FlatSat environments
  • Develop test frameworks, tools, and ground support software
  • Support debugging, validation, and anomaly resolution

Additional exposure:
  • Contribute to modeling & simulation efforts
  • Support new mission concepts and proposals
  • Evaluate impacts of new hardware, architectures, and mission profiles

What they're looking for:
  • 9-15+ years of experience in software engineering (level dependent)
  • Strong background in embedded software development (C/C++)
  • Experience with flight software, avionics, or aerospace systems
  • Hands-on experience with hardware/software integration and testing
  • Exposure to one or more of the following:
  • GNC algorithms
  • RTOS (VxWorks, Integrity, etc.)
  • Device drivers / BSP / bring-up
  • HIL / simulation environments
  • Software verification & validation
  • Ability to operate as a high-level IC across multiple domains

Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM field required
  • Master's degree preferred - 7 years of experience

Travel:
  • Up to ~20% travel (domestic)
  • Occasional international collaboration

Quick take:
This is a high-impact IC role for engineers who want to stay deeply technical while working on cutting-edge spacecraft and flight software systems.
$130,000 - $200,000 a year
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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