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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Principal Software Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer will leverage deep technical expertise and passion for building high-quality applications to drive architectural decisions, mentor engineers, and influence product ...

Principal Software Engineer

Westlake, TX

$129K - $173K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Who We Are Solera is a global leader in data and software services that strives to transform every touchpoint of the vehicle lifecycle into a connected digital experience.

Principal Software Engineer

Westlake, TX · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Who We Are Solera is a global leader in data and software services that strives to transform every touchpoint of the vehicle lifecycle into a connected digital experience.

Principal Software Engineer

Westlake, TX · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

Principal Software Engineer / Westlake, TX Who We Are Solera is a global leader in data and software services that strives to transform every touchpoint of the vehicle lifecycle into a connected ...

Principal Software Engineer

Westlake, TX · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

Principal Software Engineer / Westlake, TX Who We Are Solera is a global leader in data and software services that strives to transform every touchpoint of the vehicle lifecycle into a connected ...

Principal Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Software Development Engineer (IC4) who operates as an AI native builder. This is not a traditional software engineering role centered on manual coding. Engineers on ...

Principal Software Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$130K - $140K/yr

Texas (US-TX) Principal Software Engineer Build the future of food service technology -- Lead, code, and innovate. We're seeking an Principal Software Engineer to design, build, and modernize ...

Principal Software Engineer

Frisco, TX · Hybrid

$126K - $169K/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 ...

Principal Software Engineer

Westlake, TX · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

Principal Software Engineer / Westlake Who We Are Solera is a global leader in data and software services that strives to transform every touchpoint of the vehicle lifecycle into a connected digital ...

Principal Software Engineer

Westlake, TX

$129K - $173K/yr

Principal Software Engineer / Westlake Who We Are Solera is a global leader in data and software services that strives to transform every touchpoint of the vehicle lifecycle into a connected digital ...

Principal Software Engineer-IAM

Coppell, TX · On-site

$124K - $167K/yr

Principal Software Engineer-IAM Duration: 6+ Months Contract to Hire Location: Coppell-HYBRID 3 days Position Summary: The Principal Software Engineer is responsible for identification and ...

Principal Software Engineer

Westlake, TX · On-site

$129K - $173K/yr

Principal Engineer - Agentic AI The Role A Principal Software Engineer's roles include providing technical leadership, defining software architecture, mentoring other engineers, and overseeing ...

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Showing results 1-20

Principal Software Engineer information

See Texas salary details

$56.4K

$149.9K

$215.2K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Texas is $149,937.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,800.00 and $168,600.00 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 job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in Texas look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in Texas are:
What cities in Texas are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Texas with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Texas as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,937 per year, or $72.1 per hour.
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

NAVA Software Solutions

Spring, TX • On-site

$124K - $166K/yr

Full-time

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


Job description

NAVA Software solutions is looking for a Principal Software Engineer - Full Stack
Details:
Principal Software Engineer - Full Stack
Location: Spring TX - Hybrid (3-4 days/week onsite)
Duration: 12 months
Summary
This role is ideal for a software engineer with strong Java and JavaScript fundamentals (or deep C#/.NET experience and a demonstrated ability to transition to Java), and hands-on experience with React is preferred. The successful candidate will have a proven track record applying modern software engineering practices to build and modernize enterprise applications. They are passionate about continuous learning, embrace a growth mindset, and are eager to leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate delivery while maintaining high standards of code quality, security, and reliability.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain full stack applications using Java (Spring Boot), React, and related technologies

  • Lead the modernization of legacy and monolithic applications into modular services and microservices, including API design, data migration strategies, and gradual decomposition of legacy codebases

  • Build responsive, accessible, and performant React-based UIs with reusable components and maintainable state management.

  • Develop secure, well-structured back-end services and REST APIs, ensuring robust authentication, authorization, and data protection

  • Use AI coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor) to improve productivity, documentation quality, test coverage, and refactoring safety, while exercising judgment and code review discipline

  • Champion engineering best practices including code reviews, automated testing, CI/CD, and observability

  • Mentor junior developers and contribute to a culture of learning, experimentation, and continuous improvement

Required Experience & Skills
  • 5-8 years of hands-on software development experience in modern tech stacks

  • Strong proficiency with Java, Spring Boot, and REST API design. Experience with C# and .Net Core will be considered with exposure to Java

  • Solid experience with React, and/or JavaScript; experience migrating from legacy front-end frameworks (e.g., AngularJS) to React is highly desirable.

  • Experience with relational databases (e.g. Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL) and query optimization.

  • Experience with Cloud Development provisioning and configuring resources such as Functions, App Services and APIM in Azure Cloud or AWS equivalent.

  • Previously implemented event-driven architecture

  • Well versed in CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions etc.)

  • Comfortable working in Agile teams and collaborating across product management, QA, and operations

  • Accustomed to collaborating with architecture, security, and DevOps teams

  • Strong communication skills and a growth mindset. actively seeks feedback, experiments with new tools and patterns, and shares learnings with the team

  • Enthusiasm for using AI-based coding assistants responsibly to accelerate delivery, improve code quality, and support knowledge sharing

Nice to Have Experience
  • Exposure to containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, AKS)

  • Familiar with concepts such as MCP servers, RAG applications and the use of Graph databases

  • Exposure to observability and the use of open telemetry to instrument code

  • Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform)

  • Experience modularizing or decomposing monolithic applications (even if partial or within specific domains/modules).

NAVA Software Solutions logo

About NAVA Software Solutions

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NAVA is a strategic partner for companies seeking to develop or customize software and products. Our team of experts leverages cutting-edge technology and deep industry knowledge to provide customized solutions that drive business success. Whether you're looking to improve your operations, increase efficiency, or bring a new product to market, NAVA has the expertise and resources to help you achieve your goals. Trust us to be your partner in software and product development.

Industry

It services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Rocky Hill, CT, US

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