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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Kiongroup

Software Principal Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI

$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 ...

Kiongroup

Software Principal Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI

$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 ...

Kion Group AG

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 ...

Dematic

Software Principal Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$129K - $174K/yr

Dematic Corp. is seeking a Software Principal Engineer to join their Lifecycle Solutions & Services Modernizations and Upgrades group. The role involves providing technical guidance and support to ...

Venteon

Software Engineer

Orion, MI · On-site

$135K/yr

Software Engineer Minimum 2 Years experience as a Software Engineer Venteon is currently seeking an experienced Software Engineer to fill a opening with a systems integrator company located in Metro ...

Vertex Sigma Software

Software Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

Overview We are looking for a skilled Software Engineer to design and deliver scalable, cloud-native microservices within our Connected Services platform. You will own the full software lifecycle ...

Vertex Sigma Software

Software Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

Overview We are looking for a skilled Software Engineer to design and deliver scalable, cloud-native microservices within our Connected Services platform. You will own the full software lifecycle ...

Miracle software system

Software Engineer

Novi, MI · On-site

Key Responsibilities: - Software developer with responsibilities to Define, Design, Develop, and Deploy applications/services and proof-of-concepts to support new location-based vehicle features ...

Miracle software system

Software Engineer

Novi, MI

Key Responsibilities: - Software developer with responsibilities to Define, Design, Develop, and Deploy applications/services and proof-of-concepts to support new location-based vehicle features ...

NextDeavor Inc.

Software Engineer

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

$105K - $120K/yr

Software Engineer Full-time Kalamazoo, MI, US Exclusive confidential search -- details shared with qualified applicants. Benefits You'll Love * Relocation assistance * Salary range: $105k - $120k

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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 Jul 16, 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 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.
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Principal Software Engineer jobs near you

Principal Software Engineer, Back End (AI-powered Data Querying) (Bangkok based, Relocation provided

Agoda

Detroit, MI • On-site

$133K - $178K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Job Summary:
Agoda is a travel technology company that connects people to destinations and experiences. They are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the development of AI-powered data querying solutions and to drive innovation in their data quality tools and analytical engines.
Responsibilities:
• Lead the development of AI-powered data querying solutions, enabling users to ask business questions in natural language and receive actionable insights.
• Architect and develop scalable data quality tools and frameworks to ensure reliable and trustworthy data.
• Act as a hands-on technical leader, tackling complex challenges across AI query engines, data quality systems, and analytical engines.
• Collaborate with TPMs and stakeholders to define and drive the technical vision and roadmap for AI-driven querying, query engines, and data quality tools.
• Mentor engineers and raise standards across data quality & governance tools, query engines, and the broader data platform.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, data engineering, or related fields
• Strong hands-on experience with: SQL and large-scale data systems
• Strong hands-on experience with: Modern analytical databases / data warehouses (e.g., StarRocks, Snowflake, BigQuery, ClickHouse)
• Strong hands-on experience with: Backend development (e.g., Python, Java, Scala or similar)
• Experience building or working with: AI/LLM-based applications (e.g., text-to-SQL, conversational interfaces, cursor, copilots)
• Experience building or working with: Data platforms or analytical infrastructure at scale
• Strong understanding of data modeling, query execution, and performance optimization
• Proven ability to lead cross-team, high-impact technical initiatives
• Ability to navigate between deep hands-on work and strategic technical leadership
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Preferred:
• Experience with text-to-SQL systems or AI-driven data interfaces
• Experience implementing or scaling analytical engines such as StarRocks
• Background in data observability, quality, or governance frameworks
• Experience with tools like dbt, Airflow, Spark, or similar
Company:
Agoda is a digital travel platform that provides access to hotels and holiday properties including flights. It is a sub-organization of Booking Holdings. Founded in 2005, the company is headquartered in Singapore, SGP, with a team of 5001-10000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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