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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

Responsibilities We are looking to hire a Principal Software Engineer to join our team to develop and operate next generation, world-class product to secure data with AI speed. -AI-driven development ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$142K - $274K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer with deep experience and expertise in building and shipping ultra high scale storage and data access solutions. Microsoft's mission is to empower ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$142K - $274K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer who will shape how this product comes together as a whole. Windows App depends on technologies and teams across Windows, Windows 365, Azure Virtual ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$151K - $202K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to lead automation and deep Windows platform quality in the Customer Experience Review (CER) Lab. You will define a productized validation capability ...

Principal, Software Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$132K - $264K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer on the Marketplace Platform team, you will play a pivotal role in driving the architecture, design and maintenance of advanced frameworks that elevate Walmart ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$151K - $202K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to provide hands-on technical leadership. This role will define the architecture and lead development of secure, self-service AI and data orchestration ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$151K - $202K/yr

We are hiring for a Principal Software Engineer role within our Dataverse Intelligence Platform organization. These roles span several high-impact engineering areas, including: * AI-native business ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$142K - $274K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to build the platforms powering the next generation of intelligent discovery for millions of users. If this opportunity excites you, we'd love to hear ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will drive the technical vision, architecture, and execution of critical infrastructure that enables Microsoft's Search and AI platforms to understand and ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

Overview As a Principal Software Engineer on the Microsoft Security Exposure Management (MSEM) team, you'll help build the platform that empowers every organization to see, understand, and reduce ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

We're looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help our research teams go from "what if" to "what's next" faster and more elegantly than ever before. You will play a leading role in developing ...

Principal Software Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$151K - $203K/yr

We are hiring a Principal Engineer to be the technical anchor for this product. You will own the ... Experience Requirements * 12+ years in software development. * 7+ years hands-on with fault ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and evolution of full-stack experiences and platform capabilities that serve millions of customers worldwide. In this ...

Principal Software Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$151K - $203K/yr

We are hiring a Principal Engineer to be the technical anchor for this product. You will own the ... Experience Requirements * 12+ years in software development. * 7+ years hands-on with fault ...

Principal Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$153K - $206K/yr

We're looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join Snap Inc! What you'll do: * Design, implement, and scale critical engineering components and services to support Snap's most strategic ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

Overview We are seeking a Principal Software Development Engineer to lead the design and development of the Search & AI Platform at Microsoft Bing. As the core platforms underpinning web-index ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$220K - $331K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to help us take the platform to the next level and deliver on our promises of fabric unification and turn-key developer experience. Job Purpose In this ...

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$151K - $202K/yr

Overview We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join the Special Projects and Resources Team (SPARTANs) in M365 Core - Substrate . SPARTANs tackle strategic projects and hard problems ...

As a Principal Software Engineer, youwillbe responsible fordesigning,developingandimproving coreservices andalgorithms forDisplay Adsoptimization, includingbudgeting,pacing,biddingandauction.You ...

Showing results 41-60

Principal Software Engineer information

See Bothell, WA salary details

$68.8K

$182.9K

$262.6K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Bothell, WA is $182,943.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $153,500.00 and $205,800.00 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.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA?

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

What job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA are:

What cities near Bothell, WA are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Bothell, WA with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Bothell, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $182,943 per year, or $88 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft

Redmond, WA • On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 134 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Overview
As part of Microsoft Security, my team develops and operates Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) capabilities that help organizations discover, classify, label, and protect sensitive data across Microsoft 365, endpoints, applications, and cloud environments. We build secure, scalable solutions that enable customers to safeguard their most critical information, meet compliance and regulatory requirements, and reduce the risk of data loss and data leak in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
We are looking to hire a Principal Software Engineer to join our team to develop and operate next generation, world-class product to secure data with AI speed. -AI-driven development & code quality: Leverages AI across the SDLC and leads high-quality coding practices, ensuring secure, scalable, maintainable code through strong reviews, testing, and best practices. -Reliability & live-site excellence: Uses telemetry, debugging, and root cause analysis to proactively prevent issues, improve system health, and drive incident resolution as DRI. -Architecture & design leadership: Owns or review complex system design and architecture, balancing performance, scalability, cost, and trade-offs. -Security, compliance & safe deployment: Ensures adherence to security, privacy, and compliance standards while driving automation, CI/CD, and safe, efficient deployments. -Collaboration & continuous improvement: Partners cross-functionally to deliver end-to-end solutions, incorporates customer insights, and continuously improves systems, processes, and engineering outcomes.
Qualifications
Required:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.

Other Requirement :
  • Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check:
    - This position will be required to pass the Microsoft background and Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred:
  • Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
  • Preferred: Large scale data processing in distributed system experience.
  • Experience at data analysis and statistical modeling: Regression, classification, clustering, predictive modeling, and machine learning algorithms.

#MSFTSecurity
#DataProtection
Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

What Microsoft employees say

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Benefits

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Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Microsoft

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redmond, WA, US

Year founded

1975

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