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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or other related field Principal Duties ... software solutions with business objectives • Introduce and train teams in advanced programming ...

We are looking for a Principal Software Architect to provide technical leadership for next ... Partner with product, engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and business teams to translate ...

We are looking for a Principal Software Architect to provide technical leadership for next ... You will report directly to our Senior Director of Software Engineering and you'll work out of our ...

We are looking for a Principal Software Architect to provide technical leadership for next ... You will report directly to our Senior Director of Software Engineering and you'll work out of our ...

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Principal Software Engineer information

See Georgia salary details

$51.1K

$135.9K

$195.1K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Georgia is $135,892.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,000.00 and $152,800.00 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.

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 can include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Principal Software Engineers at large technology companies or in specialized fields such as machine learning, cloud computing, or cybersecurity can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities within high-demand environments.

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 do principal software engineers get paid?

Principal software engineers typically earn between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses and stock options. Salaries vary based on experience, location, industry, and company size, with some earning over $200,000 in high-demand markets.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Principal Software Engineers at senior levels in large companies or with specialized skills such as machine learning or cloud architecture can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. However, such high compensation is typically reserved for experienced professionals in high-cost-of-living areas or executive-level roles, and not common for entry- or mid-level positions.
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in Georgia? For Principal Software Engineer jobs in Georgia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Georgia are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Georgia with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:
Consulting/Principal Software Engineer

Consulting/Principal Software Engineer

LexisNexis

Alpharetta, GA

$115K - $192K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


LexisNexis rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 451 rated business services


Job description

hackajob is collaborating with LexisNexis to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

About the Business

LexisNexis Risk Solutions is the essential partner in the assessment of risk. Within our Business Services vertical, we deliver a wide range of solutions that help businesses drive revenue growth, maximize operational efficiency, and improve customer experience. Our offerings address critical challenges across Anti‑Money Laundering / Counter‑Terrorist Financing, Identity Authentication & Verification, Fraud and Credit Risk Mitigation, and Customer Data Management.
Learn more at: https://risk.lexisnexis.com

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Consulting / Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, optimization, and management of large-scale database systems and backend platforms. This role requires deep expertise in database architecture, performance tuning, and Java-based application development, along with the ability to advise on best practices across data engineering and system design. You will partner with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver scalable, high-performance data solutions and provide technical leadership across critical initiatives.

Responsibilities:

  • Design and build database schemas, tables, indexes, and constraints while ensuring efficient data modeling across both OLTP and OLAP environments
  • Write, troubleshoot, and optimize complex SQL queries using joins, subqueries, CTEs, and window functions to improve performance and reliability
  • Perform hands-on database programming by developing and maintaining stored procedures, triggers, and functions, with strong ownership of transaction management and concurrency control
  • Actively debug and resolve production issues, including slow queries, deadlocks, locking problems, and high CPU, memory, or I/O utilization
  • Implement and enhance Java-based data access layers using JDBC and ORM frameworks such as Hibernate or JPA to ensure efficient and scalable database interaction
  • Build and support ETL pipelines, handling data extraction, transformation, migration, and batch processing for large datasets
  • Perform hands-on data analysis, validation, and reporting to ensure data accuracy and support business needs
  • Write and maintain Bash or shell scripts to automate database operations, including backups, job scheduling (cron), data processing, and monitoring within Linux or Unix environments

Requirements:

  • 8+ years of experience in software engineering with a strong database focus
  • Expertise in relational databases (MySQL preferred) and data modeling
  • Advanced proficiency in SQL development and performance tuning
  • Strong experience with Java, JDBC, and ORM frameworks (Hibernate/JPA)
  • Proven experience diagnosing and resolving complex production issues
  • Solid understanding of transaction management, concurrency, and system performance
  • Hands-on experience with Unix/Linux environments and shell scripting

Working for you:

We know that your wellbeing and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

  • Health Benefits: Comprehensive, multi-carrier program for medical, dental and vision benefits
  • Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with match and an Employee Share Purchase Plan
  • Wellbeing: Wellness platform with incentives, Headspace app subscription, Employee Assistance and Time-off Programs
  • Short-and-Long Term Disability, Life and Accidental Death Insurance, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
  • Family Benefits, including bonding and family care leaves, adoption and surrogacy benefits
  • Health Savings, Health Care, Dependent Care and Commuter Spending Accounts
  • In addition to annual Paid Time Off, we offer up to two days of paid leave each to participate in Employee Resource Groups and to volunteer with your charity of choice

U.S. National Base Pay Range: $115,400 - $192,300. Geographic differentials may apply in some locations to better reflect local market rates.

This job is eligible for an annual incentive bonus.

We know your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. We are delighted to offer country specific benefits. Click here to access benefits specific to your location.

We are committed to providing a fair and accessible hiring process. If you have a disability or other need that requires accommodation or adjustment, please let us know by completing our Applicant Request Support Form or please contact 1-855-833-5120.

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We are an equal opportunity employer: qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, protected veteran status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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