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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Prioritize and handle multiple software engineering tasks concurrently * Troubleshoot software and test equipment instrumentation * Work in a multidiscipline engineering team environment * Develop ...

Principal Software Engineer - Test

Miami, FL

$129K - $173K/yr

Prioritize and handle multiple software engineering tasks concurrently * Troubleshoot software and test equipment instrumentation * Work in a multidiscipline engineering team environment * Develop ...

Principal Software Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$122K - $164K/yr

Are you ready to make an impact at DTCC? Do you want to work on innovative projects, collaborate with a dynamic and supportive team, and receive investment in your professional development? At DTCC ...

Principal Software Enginner

Fort Lauderdale, FL · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

About SubBase About the role * Describe the role and team the candidate will be joining What you'll do * Describe the specific responsibilities and job functions of the role Qualifications * Describe ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Aug 12, 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.

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 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.

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.

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.
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in Florida? For Principal Software Engineer jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Florida are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,267 per year, or $57.8 per hour.

Engineer Software/Principal Engineer Software (Infrastructure)

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Melbourne, FL • On-site

$125K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 10 hours ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 362 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 538 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems Sector has an opening for a Software Engineer or a Principal Software Engineer to join our Global Surveillance Division supporting the team of qualified, diverse individuals. The location for this opportunity is Melbourne, Florida and will be primarily based within our office spaces to support the program and business needs. Operating on our 9/80 schedule means you will get every other Friday off. The position has NO remote or Hybrid work available
Responsibilities will include deploying, automating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving the systems and software infrastructure running smoothly. This role requires you to have hands-on technical experience and a can-do approach towards environmental automation and management along with continuous improvements. You will be a member of an agile development team. You will be responsible for the design and implementation of application builds, releases, deployment along with configuration activities.
Your responsibilities will include working with internal business partners to gather requirements, prototyping, and architecting complex solutions supporting the building and test plan execution, performing quality reviews, and triaging and fixing operational issues. The candidate will assist with the integration, troubleshooting and testing of implemented software changes. The ideal candidate will have the ability to take ownership of ambiguous hard problems and drive them to a solution, while working in a team environment. It is critical that you understand the software development life cycle and have an in-depth knowledge of automated testing to facilitate and analyze large data sets. The Software Engineer will develop, modify, and maintain customized or standardized applications using software engineering best practices and standards, and participate in the full life cycle of software development, to include requirements development, modeling and design, application development, unit to CSCI testing, integration, formal system testing, release, installation, and maintenance.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to take ownership of hard problems and drive them to a solution, while working in a team environment and provide leadership for its implementation. It is critical that you understand the software development life cycle and have an in-depth knowledge of automated testing to facilitate and analyze large data sets. The Software Engineer will participate in the full life cycle of software development, to include requirements development, modeling and design, application development, unit to CSCI testing, integration, formal system testing, release, installation, and maintenance.
Essential Functions:
  • Full lifecycle design, implementation, and unit testing of software.
  • Apply extensive technical expertise and have full knowledge of other related disciplines. Able to communicate effectively and clearly present technical approaches and findings.
  • Provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex difficult problems that are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with programs objectives.
  • In depth understanding and wide application of technical principle, theories, and concepts in the field listed under the basic qualifications.
  • Design, develop, document, test and debug applications software and systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions.
  • Conduct multidisciplinary research when needed and collaborates with equipment designers and/or hardware engineers in the planning, design, development, and utilization of electronic data processing systems
  • Work with various team members to integrate functionality with other software components.
  • Support the generating, gathering, and reporting software metrics.
  • Follow program software best practices.
  • Able to work independently and identify solutions to complex problems.
  • Represents the organization as the prime technical contact on contracts and projects. Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often require coordination between organizations.

Basic Qualifications:
  • (Engineer Software - Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline and 2 or more years of experience in software engineering OR a Master's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline and 0 or more years of experience in software engineering
  • (Principal Engineer Software) bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 5 or more years of experience in software engineering OR a Master's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline and 3 or more years of experience in software engineering
  • Experience with aviation or safety-critical systems.
  • Development experience with C/C++ or other OOP languages.
  • Experience developing software in a Linux and Windows environment.
  • Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Secret Clearance, and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Master's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university with 5+ year's of software development experience.
  • Experience developing software within the SELinux environment.
  • Comfort with agile development tools such as the GitLab tool suite, including proficiency with version control systems like Git.
  • Full software development life cycle experience.
  • Experience configuring RedHat Linux within a secure environment.
  • Current DOD 8570 IAT Level II or greater certification (Security+)
  • Experience with Red Hat System Administration
  • Experience with Ansible automation tools
  • Experience with IP stack and network configuration
  • Experience maintaining and upgrading RHEL systems
  • Experience working with containerization technologies
  • Experience working with container orchestration technologies
  • Experience building managing RPMs from source
  • Experience with multithreaded desktop application development
  • Familiarity with the Agile software development process.
  • Experience with Rhapsody and/or Cameo UML Modeling experience or similar tools.
  • Currently the holder of a special program access.
  • Proven capacity to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team and demonstrate effective communication skills in technical discussions.
  • Proficient in creating and maintaining comprehensive software documentation throughout the development lifecycle.
  • US citizen with a current in scope DoD secret or higher clearance.
  • Currently the holder of a special program access

Primary Level Salary Range: $77,200.00 - $115,800.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $95,300.00 - $142,900.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939