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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

HireRight

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$121K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview We are looking for a Senior Principal Software Engineer who wants to help transform an industry. This is not just a feature delivery role. It is a chance to shape the future of background ...

Oracle

Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... engineering experience in a software development environment * Development experience in Java/C++/C# as well as scripting languages. Experience in scripting and automation using tools like Ansible ...

Oracle Corporation

Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... engineering experience in a software development environment * Development experience in Java/C++/C# as well as scripting languages. Experience in scripting and automation using tools like Ansible ...

Oracle

Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Software Engineer on this team, you will help define and build the next generation of OCI control-plane storage. You will work on challenging problems such as read/write scalability, strict ...

HireRight

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$121K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are looking for a Senior Principal Software Engineer who wants to help transform an industry. This is not just a feature delivery role. It is a chance to shape the future of background screening ...

Oracle Corporation

Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN

$130K - $174K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Software Engineer on this team, you will help define and build the next generation of OCI control-plane storage. You will work on challenging problems such as read/write scalability, strict ...

Oracle

Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Software Engineer on this team, you will help define and build the next generation of OCI control-plane storage. You will work on challenging problems such as read/write scalability, strict ...

Oracle

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$121K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Sr. Principal Member of Technical Staff, you will work with other senior engineers and product ... Responsibilities As a member of the software engineering division, you will take an active role in ...

Oracle Corporation

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$121K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Sr. Principal Member of Technical Staff, you will work with other senior engineers and product ... Responsibilities As a member of the software engineering division, you will take an active role in ...

Oracle

Principal Platform Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Principal Platform Software Engineer (IC4) who enjoys building reliable software systems and solving challenging engineering problems at the intersection of Linux, virtualization and ...

Oracle

Principal Software Developer

Nashville, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Responsibilities As a Principal Software Developer, you will lead the design, development, and evolution of backend services, APIs, and core server-side systems that support distributed cloud ...

Oracle

Principal Software Developer

Nashville, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Principal Software Developer, you will lead the design, development, and evolution of backend services, APIs, and core server-side systems that support distributed cloud platforms. You will take ...

Oracle

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN

$121K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Sr. Principal Member of Technical Staff, you will work with other senior engineers and product ... Career Level - IC5 As a member of the software engineering division, you will take an active role ...

Oracle Corporation

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN

$121K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Sr. Principal Member of Technical Staff, you will work with other senior engineers and product ... Career Level - IC5 As a member of the software engineering division, you will take an active role ...

Oracle

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Nashville, TN

$121K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Sr. Principal Member of Technical Staff, you will work with other senior engineers and product ... Career Level - IC5 As a member of the software engineering division, you will take an active role ...

Oracle

Principal Platform Software Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Principal Software Development Engineer (IC4)** to help design, build, and operate software platforms that support Cloud Hardware Support (CHS) as OCI continues to grow. This role focuses on cloud ...

Oracle Corporation

Principal Software Developer

Nashville, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Responsibilities As a Principal Software Developer, you will lead the design, development, and evolution of backend services, APIs, and core server-side systems that support distributed cloud ...

Oracle Corporation

Principal Software Developer

Nashville, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Principal Software Developer, you will lead the design, development, and evolution of backend services, APIs, and core server-side systems that support distributed cloud platforms. You will take ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Principal Software Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$54.9K

$146.1K

$209.7K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Tennessee is $146,069.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,500.00 and $164,300.00 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.
More about Principal Software Engineer jobs

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

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

Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,069 per year, or $70.2 per hour.

Senior Principal Software Engineer

HireRight

Nashville, TN • On-site

$121K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

HireRight rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 492 rated business services

Job description

About HireRight
HireRight is the premier global background screening and workforce solutions provider. We bring clarity and confidence to vetting and hiring decisions through integrated, tailored solutions, driving a higher standard of accuracy in everything we do. Combining in-house talent, personalized services, and proprietary technology, we ensure the best candidate experience possible. PBSA accredited and based in Nashville, TN, we offer expertise from our regional centers across 200 countries and territories in The Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Our commitment to get it right every time, everywhere, makes us the trusted partner of businesses and organizations worldwide.
Overview
We are looking for a Senior Principal Software Engineer who wants to help transform an industry.
This is not just a feature delivery role. It is a chance to shape the future of background screening and workforce technology by building systems that are simpler, smarter, more reliable, and more human-centered.
We need someone who can operate across the stack and across altitudes:
  • Deep in the code when needed
  • Across systems when architecture matters
  • Beside product when the problem needs shaping
  • With teams when technical judgment needs to scale
  • Ahead of the curve when technology changes what is possible

Our goal is bold: transform the industry.
That will require curiosity, technical depth, smart risk-taking, AI-enabled leverage, and a willingness to challenge how things have always been done.
If you are the kind of engineer who looks at complexity and says, "There has to be a simpler way," then helps build it we should talk.
How we work
We value:
  • Curiosity: ask better questions

  • Simplicity: remove unnecessary complexity

  • Ownership: if we build it, we own it

  • Lean thinking: small batches, fast feedback, less waste

  • Craft: quality matters

  • Direct feedback: clarity is kindness

  • Smart risk: experiment responsibly

  • Data-informed decisions: use evidence without becoming trapped by it

  • Agentic leverage: use modern tools to increase impact

  • Continuous improvement: make the system better every cycle

Hiring and workforce decisions affect companies, candidates, communities, and lives. The systems behind those decisions should be accurate, trustworthy, efficient, humane, and modern.
We are looking for engineers who can dream recklessly, engineer responsibly, simplify relentlessly, and build what does not yet exist.
If that sounds like you, we would love to meet you.
Responsibilities
  • Design, build, and evolve full stack software systems used by customers, candidates, internal teams, and global operations
  • Lead technical direction for complex initiatives across frontend, backend, data, APIs, and cloud infrastructure
  • Partner with product, design, security, operations, and business stakeholders to solve high-value problems
  • Turn ambiguous business and customer needs into clear technical approaches
  • Build systems that are reliable, secure, observable, scalable, and maintainable
  • Simplify complex workflows through thoughtful product and engineering design
  • Mentor engineers through design reviews, code reviews, pairing, and technical coaching
  • Help teams make strong technical decisions with incomplete information
  • Identify and reduce technical debt, operational toil, and unnecessary system complexity
  • Use AI and agentic tools responsibly to accelerate engineering work and improve team leverage
  • Raise the bar for engineering craft, quality, and ownership

Qualifications
We typically look for 10 or more years of software engineering experience, with a meaningful portion of that spent working on complex, distributed, or large-scale systems. We care more about the depth and quality of that experience than the exact number of years.
Our technology environment will evolve, and we care more about engineering fundamentals than a perfect keyword match.
Relevant experience may include:
  • Modern JavaScript / TypeScript
  • React, Angular, Vue, or similar frontend frameworks
  • js, Java, C#, Python, Go, or similar backend technologies
  • REST, GraphQL, event-driven architectures, or service-oriented systems
  • Relational and NoSQL databases
  • Cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Containers and orchestration
  • Observability tools
  • Automated testing frameworks
  • Secure software development practices
  • AI coding assistants and agentic development tools

You do not need to have experience with our exact stack. You do need to be able to learn quickly, reason deeply, and build responsibly.
What do we offer
In exchange for your expertise, HireRight offers an excellent employee benefit package which includes:
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid Life/AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K
• Generous Vacation and Sick Program
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Education Assistance Program
• Business Casual Attire
• Generous Referral Program
• Employee Discounts and Rewards
• And much more!
*All resumes are held in confidence. Only candidates whose profiles closely match requirements will be contacted during this search.
HireRight, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Minorities / Females / Veterans / Disabilities
HireRight does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of HireRight and HireRight will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

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