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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer

OR · On-site +1

We have an unusually talented and accomplished team of engineers who've held lead, staff, principal ... Our software platform is well established and our user base is already quite large, but we're still ...

You'll partner with Principal engineers on the hardest technical decisions and mentor Senior engineers to deliver capabilities that help enterprises secure their software supply chains at massive ...

Software Engineer

Wilsonville, OR · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

The Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining embedded software and firmware for electronic control modules used in automotive and power management applications.

Software Engineer

Salem, OR · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Software Engineer (Information Systems Specialist 6) Hybrid work options If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply!

Software Engineer

Lake Oswego, OR · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Software Engineer Join our growing Software for External Medical Device team and contribute to the development of cutting‑edge applications that support implantable medical devices. In this ...

Software Engineer Join our growing Software for External Medical Device team and contribute to the development of cutting-edge applications that support implantable medical devices. In this technical ...

Senior Principal Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$133K - $183K/yr

Apex is hiring a Senior Principal Engineer to be based in Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, WA. This position will play a critical role in growing our Apex local presence and delivering multidiscipline ...

Senior Principal Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$133K - $183K/yr

Apex is hiring a Senior Principal Engineer to be based in Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, WA. This position will play a critical role in growing our Apex local presence and delivering multidiscipline ...

Showing results 41-60

Principal Software Engineer information

See Oregon salary details

$64K

$170.2K

$244.2K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Oregon is $170,156.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $142,700.00 and $191,400.00 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.
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $170,156 per year, or $81.8 per hour.

Software Engineer

Fay

OR • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Building features end-to-end and taking ownership of their delivery and impact.

  • Contributing to maintaining platform stability and a smooth developer experience.

  • Collaborating with product and design teams to ensure successful project outcomes.


Job description

About this Role

This role offers what many ambitious engineers are looking for:

  • Top-tier teammates: We have an unusually talented and accomplished team of engineers who've held lead, staff, principal and director level roles in past jobs.
  • A builder-centric culture: We're a fast-moving team with high standards, supported by thoughtful processes that keep things running smoothly without getting in the way.
  • Modern tools & best practices: We use the best tool for the job at hand, and we've leaned into AI-driven development in all of the places it's proven to be most effective.
  • A tight-knit, high-output team: We're a total of nine backend/full-stack engineers who collaborate closely, move quickly and have an unreasonable amount of fun together.
  • An ever-important mission: We're here to deliver high quality, convenient and affordable care to the hundreds of millions of Americans who need it.

Our software platform is well established and our user base is already quite large, but we're still in the very early innings of building the world's hub for healthy living. It will take more world-class engineers to bring our ambitious vision for Fay to life, and that's why we're hiring!

 

What You'll be Doing: 

  • Building features end-to-end: All engineers lead projects and take ownership of their delivery and impact.
  • Contributing to the underlying platform: We all pitch in to keep the platform stable and the developer experience smooth.
  • Supporting engineering teammates: We have lively engineering Slack channels and huddles where we run ideas by each other and problem-solve together.
  • Teaming up with product & design: Every project is a team effort between engineering, product and design, and everyone involved pushes for the best outcome.
  • Maintaining a high standard: We have a culture of doing things thoughtfully and doing them right, which comes with a commitment to uphold team best practices.
  • Making the product your baby: We jump in to prototype our new feature ideas, remove developer pain points and fix nagging UI blemishes - all because we care about making things great!

 

Your Skills & Experience:

  • Backend or full-stack - the more of a generalist, the better
  • At least two years of professional experience and no experience cap - we're hiring across all levels of seniority
  • Enough familiarity with Python and TypeScript+React to confidently make code contributions on day one
  • Clear communication and an eagerness to collaborate effectively across engineering, product and design
  • Experience building user-facing products, with an eye for detail and a sense of what makes software feel intuitive and polished
  • Comfort working in fast-paced, dynamic startup environments
  • Strong ownership mindset: you care about the outcome, not just your piece of the implementation

The best companies are made of the best people. There's no shortage of work ahead, but we stay balanced and look forward to celebrating our wins as a team.

See our careers page here to learn more about working on our team.