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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Lexington, KY

ASSA ABLOY

Lead Software Engineer

Nicholasville, KY · On-site +1

Lead Software Engineer Business Unit: Sargent & Greenleaf Department: New Product Development Location: Nicholasville, KY Work Arrangement: On-site preferred; hybrid candidates will be considered S&G ...

Assa Abloy

Lead Software Engineer

Nicholasville, KY · On-site

Lead Software Engineer Business Unit: Sargent & Greenleaf Department: New Product Development Location: Nicholasville, KY Work Arrangement: On-site preferred; hybrid candidates will be considered S&G ...

Hudl

Software Engineer

Lexington, KY · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Your Role We are looking for Software Engineers with a passion for cloud technology and building highly scalable software solutions. This role is pivotal in driving Hudl's mission forward, offering ...

Insight Global

Principal Electrical Engineer

Lexington, KY · Remote

$190K - $205K/yr

Experience with SKM, ETAP, EasyPower, or similar analysis software, including arc flash, short ... The Principal Electrical Engineer will lead the design and execution of electrical infrastructure ...

Humana Inc

Senior Software Engineer - NBA

Frankfort, KY · On-site

$107 - $147/hr

Become a part of our caring community We are searching for a Senior Software Engineer to architect, develop, and maintain action and policy platforms that enable real-time, personalized decisioning ...

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All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs in Lexington, KY

Principal Software Engineer information

See Lexington, KY salary details

$60.1K

$160K

$229.6K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Lexington, KY is $159,957.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,200.00 and $179,900.00 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.
More about Principal Software Engineer jobs

What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in Lexington, KY?

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

What job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in Lexington, KY look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in Lexington, KY are:

What cities near Lexington, KY are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Lexington, KY with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:

Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Lexington, KY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,957 per year, or $76.9 per hour.

Software Engineer

Frankfort, KY • On-site

Avani Technology Solutions Inc
IT Services • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Avani Technology Solutions Incexternal

Contractor

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Company Description

Leading Client

Job Description

Job Title  : Software Engineer
Location : Frankfort, Kentucky
Duration : 12+ Months
Job Description:
The state expects the software engineer team member to:
1. Participate in the software development and design strategy of stage 3 and modifications to mu 2015-2017 of the SLR development including assessing the current solution and other state solutions.
2. Work with the state's hit team to understand the requirements.
3. Work with other state slr development teams to collaborate.
4. Develop the next phase requirements of south carolina's slr.
5. Work with clemson's technical team to perform functional testing.
6. Ensure the system is compliant with cms standards and meets the aca regulations and standards.
7. Document the solutions and train state staff for on-going maintenance.
Candidates who enjoy working on complex, change-oriented projects with motivated team members will find this position attractive.
Required skills:
The software engineer role has two major functions: design and development/implementation.
proven experience developing enterprise class web applications in microsoft's .net environment (visual studio including c# and sql server experience)
demonstrated experience designing web applications
demonstrated experience coding web applications
experience working on state level repositories (SLR)
keen ability to recognize opportunities for process improvement that may be supported through application.
ability to assess current solution, solutions available through other state's efforts and develop the most cost effective and efficient plan
understanding of modern/agile it development lifecycle processes including development and testing.
superb written and oral communications skills, including the ability to effectively interact with both managers/senior leadership and software developers/system administrators.
willingness and ability to effectively engage with people and organizations on a continuous basis.

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