ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Eccalon LLC

Principal Software Engineer- Onsite

Detroit, MI · On-site

$127K - $171K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: Detroit, MI- Onsite Type: Full-time Security Clearance: No clearance required, must be clearable. We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to provide ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Principal Software Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI · Hybrid

$132K - $177K/yr

Principal Software Engineer The global capital markets are among the largest markets in the world valued at $50T+ and growing. Transactions in these markets are complex. Critical, nuanced legal terms ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Principal Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will set the technical direction for the backend, AI orchestration, and identity systems that turn frontier models into reliable, secure, production-grade ...

Fifth Third

Principal Software Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$127K - $171K/yr

... Principal Software Engineer Total Base Pay Range 96,500.00 - 207,500.00 USD Annual At Fifth Third, we understand the importance of recognizing our employees for the role they play in improving the ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Principal Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

As a Principal Software Engineer focused on Security & Compliance, you will set the technical direction for how CoCounsel earns and maintains the trust of law firms, corporate legal departments, and ...

Kiongroup

Software Principal Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$143K - $214K/yr

Dematic Corp. has a need for a Software Principal Engineer in our Lifecyle Solutions & Services Modernizations and Upgrades (LSS MU) group. The ideal candidate will have experience working in the ...

Carhartt

Principal Engineer, eComm

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Principal Engineer, Ecommerce Department: Information Technology Reports to: Sr. Manager, Global ... Provide technical direction for software development and architecture in SAP Commerce Cloud ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs in Michigan

Principal Software Engineer information

See Michigan salary details

$52.7K

$140.3K

$201.3K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Michigan is $140,271.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,700.00 and $157,800.00 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.
More about Principal Software Engineer jobs

What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in Michigan?

For Principal Software Engineer jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in MI?

For Principal Software Engineer jobs in MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,271 per year, or $67.4 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Novi, MI • On-site

Bright Vision Technologies
See more jobs at Bright Vision Technologiesexternal

$95 - $117/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Principal Software Engineer – Remote

Bright Vision Technologies is a technology consulting and software development company delivering cloud, AI, data, and enterprise solutions across the United States.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established and well-respected organization offering tremendous career growth potential.

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer

Location: 100% Remote (U.S.)

Position Type: Full-time, Direct W2

Salary Range: $95,000-$117,000 Annually

Experience Required: 6+ years

Sponsorship: U.S. Citizens, Green Card Holders, EAD Holders, and H-1B transfer candidates are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor new H-1B visa petitions for this position.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to lead enterprise-wide architectural initiatives, define long-term technology strategy, and deliver highly scalable, resilient distributed systems. This role represents the highest level of individual technical contribution within the organization, requiring deep expertise in system design, performance engineering, reliability architecture, and cross-organizational technical leadership. The ideal candidate will drive strategic engineering decisions, serve as a technical authority across multiple teams and platforms, and combine deep technical mastery with mature judgment, broad influence, and the ability to mentor and elevate senior engineers across the organization.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.
  • Ten or more years of professional software engineering experience.
  • Proven expertise designing distributed, high-scale systems in production.
  • Advanced proficiency in Java, Go, C++, or similar backend languages.
  • Deep understanding of data modeling, system optimization, and performance tuning.
  • Experience leading cross-team technical initiatives across multiple business units.
  • Strong expertise in reliability engineering and distributed architectures.
  • Demonstrated leadership in architectural decision-making at enterprise scale.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Track record of mentoring senior engineers and shaping engineering culture.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Public technical contributions (papers, talks, OSS leadership).
  • Experience driving multi-year transformation programs.
  • Familiarity with FinOps and large-scale cost optimization.
  • Exposure to regulated industries (financial services, healthcare, government).
  • Advanced degree or equivalent industry recognition.

Bright Vision Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Bright Vision Technologies (BV Teck) is committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, transfer, leaves of absence, termination, layoffs, and recall.

BV Teck expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Any improper interference with employees' ability to perform their job duties may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply