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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Lexington, MA

Principal Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$150 - $230/hr

As a principal software engineer at Liberty Mutual, you'll consult on highly complex projects and solve technical problems, while working in an agile environment that has the creative energy of a ...

As a Principal Robotics Software Engineer at 10Beauty, you will play a critical role in architecting and delivering the systems that power our next-generation autonomous manicure robot. This is a ...

As a Principal Robotics Software Engineer at 10Beauty, you will play a critical role in architecting and delivering the systems that power our next-generation autonomous manicure robot. This is a ...

Principal Software Engineer

Waltham, MA · Hybrid

$145K - $195K/yr

Xometry is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join our Xometry Partner Experience Technology Organization. In this role as a senior individual contributor, you will guide software ...

Principal Software Engineer

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$146K - $196K/yr

As a principal software engineer at Liberty Mutual, you'll consult on highly complex projects and solve technical problems, while working in an agile environment that has the creative energy of a ...

Principal Software Engineer

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$146K - $196K/yr

As a principal software engineer at Liberty Mutual, you'll consult on highly complex projects and solve technical problems, while working in an agile environment that has the creative energy of a ...

Principal Software Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$107.50 - $204.50/hr

Principal Software Engineer - Missile Defense Sensors (MDS) Software Department What You Will Do * Lead the design, development, testing, and deployment of complex software solutions in support of ...

... Principal Software Engineer/Developer (or closely related occupation) designing, developing, testing, implementing, system integrating, and supporting systems applications using Core Java, Spring ...

Principal Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$147K - $197K/yr

Prior experience operating at Principal Engineer / Staff+ scope at a highly technical company * Deep understanding of how enterprise software systems are built and evolved at scale, including ...

Showing results 21-40

Principal Software Engineer information

See Lexington, MA salary details

$68K

$180.8K

$259.5K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Lexington, MA is $180,819.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $151,700.00 and $203,400.00 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Lexington, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 81% In-person, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $180,819 per year, or $86.9 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Hye Class Talent & HR Consulting

Boston, MA • On-site

$146K - $196K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Company Description
NO AGENCIES - PLEASE
Must currently reside within commuting distance to Boston
Our client is a high-growth, venture-backed, AI-driven marketing automation company. Their conversation-marketing platform enables financial institutions to engage with their digital users via quick, informative conversations-the modern version of in-branch interactions. These engagements help improve user loyalty and provide an effective opportunity for cross-selling financial products and services.
Our client is seeking a self-motivated Principal Software Engineer with strong technical skills related to design and development of an AI-driven, API-focused, microservices-based system. You should be passionate about software architecture, software design, innovative technology, and creating great software. The ideal candidate will combine great design and coding skills with architectural sense and the passion to do great things.
Job Description
  • Work with a highly skilled and motivated team in a startup environment
  • Own the system architecture of the Micronotes products
  • Work closely with executive management to implement the company's strategic technology and business vision
  • Migrate the company's monolithic architecture to a more scalable microservices-based architecture
  • Design and implement RESTful APIs for internal and external use
  • Mentor members of the technical staff
  • Other duties, as assigned

Qualifications
  • 5+ years of industry experience designing and building distributed, scalable software solutions
  • Experience designing scalable distributed systems, with microservices-based architectures a big plus
  • Experience designing and building robust RESTful APIs
  • Applied C#, Javascript, Node.js, Python experience (or equivalents)
  • Experience with responsive web design and related technologies
  • Experience using Microsoft SQL Server, as well as relational database design
  • Experience using Git for source control (GitFlow a plus)
  • Experience working in an Agile team using Scrum (or similar methodology)
  • Understanding of DevOps best practices a plus
  • Experience with Azure, AWS, and cloud services a plus

Additional Information
MUST BE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE US FOR ANY EMPLOYER
Our client provides a comprehensive employee benefits package including Medical, Dental, FSA, STD, LTD, 401K and other terrific benefits.