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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Software Development Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Development Engineer We're looking for exceptionally talented Software Development Engineers who are passionate about solving real-world problems and making a measurable difference. If this ...

Software Development Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Development Engineer We're looking for exceptionally talented Software Development Engineers who are passionate about solving real-world problems and making a measurable difference. If this ...

Software Development Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Development Engineer We're looking for exceptionally talented Software Development Engineers who are passionate about solving real-world problems and making a measurable difference. If this ...

Software Engineer - Specialist

Prairie Du Sac, WI · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Hybrid Flex 3 days onsite in Prairie du Sac, WI Our client seeks a Software Engineer - Specialist to design, develop, and implement software solutions that support business processes and improve the ...

Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Full-Stack Engineer (Denari) Location: Madison, WI (Hybrid) Employment Type: Full-time About Denari Denari is building the modern software stack for accounting firms - an intelligent, AI-powered ...

Senior Software Engineer

Madison, WI · Remote

$125K - $165K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Resource Innovations is seeking Senior Software Engineer to join our growing Software as a Service (SaaS) team. As a hands-on technical lead at Resource Innovations, you will be instrumental in the ...

Senior Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$123K - $162K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Resource Innovations is seeking Senior Software Engineer to join our growing Software as a Service (SaaS) team. As a hands-on technical lead at Resource Innovations, you will be instrumental in the ...

Senior Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$100 - $144/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Resource Innovations is seeking Senior Software Engineer to join our growing Software as a Service (SaaS) team. As a hands‑on technical lead at Resource Innovations, you will be instrumental in the ...

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Resource Innovations is seeking Senior Software Engineer to join our growing Software as a Service (SaaS) team. As a hands-on technical lead at Resource Innovations, you will be instrumental in the ...

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$123K - $162K/yr

As a Senior Staff Software Engineer, you will lead engineering efforts, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and mentor junior engineers to enhance the platform that integrates social services ...

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$123K - $162K/yr

As a Senior Staff Software Engineer, you will enhance the platform by leading engineering efforts, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating across teams to deliver high-quality products that ...

Senior Software Engineer

Oregon, WI · On-site

$120 - $170/hr

Responsible for designing and creating engineering specifications for software applications and programs. * Responsible for designing & writing code that adheres to coding standards. * Performs code ...

Software Engineer-SEA

Madison, WI · On-site

$85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Engineer/Developer III Job Summary: Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director - Student Enterprise Applications, this position will join a team of developers and other IT ...

Software Engineer-SEA

Madison, WI · On-site +1

$85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Engineer/Developer III Job Summary: Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director - Student Enterprise Applications, this position will join a team of developers and other IT ...

Showing results 21-40

Principal Software Engineer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$61K

$162.2K

$232.8K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Madison, WI is $162,188.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $136,000.00 and $182,400.00 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 job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in Madison, WI are:

Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 79% In-person, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $162,188 per year, or $78 per hour.

Software Development Engineer

Yahara Software

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description


Software Development Engineer

We're looking for exceptionally talented Software Development Engineers who are passionate about solving real-world problems and making a measurable difference. If this sounds like you, we'd love to talk to you about immediate and future needs!

Join a team recognized as one of Madison Magazine's Best Places to Work, where innovation thrives, collaboration drives success, and we don't just build software — we empower people and transform industries.

Important Notes about this Position:

  • This position offers remote work flexibility but is only open to candidates who reside in or are willing to relocate to the greater Madison, WI area.
  • We are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.


Summary

The Software Development Engineer (SDE) is responsible for building and enhancing solutions within an existing codebase, with a focus on delivering value across biohealth, transportation, and public health sectors. The SDE works closely with clients to understand their needs and implement solutions on full-stack technologies. They will also serve as expert technical consultants on assigned client projects. This position operates chiefly in an agile environment and requires strong collaboration with project teams.

Our Approach

At Yahara, we build on a foundation of strong software engineering fundamentals—robust development methodologies, rigorous testing practices, and sound architectural principles. We stay current with emerging technologies, thoughtfully integrating AI/ML tools where they enhance our development workflow and accelerate delivery, while ensuring that critical thinking, proper problem decomposition, and engineering discipline remain at the core of everything we build.  We retain responsibility for quality, accuracy, and understanding of our work.

 What You'll Do:

  • Develop new solutions and features within our existing codebase to meet client requirements.
  • Implement full-stack solutions across both front-end and back-end technologies.
  • Participate in Agile workflow practices, including backlog grooming and ticket pointing, stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives — evaluating project successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Engage in code reviews by peer reviewing and providing constructive feedback to team members.
  • Professionally demonstrate completed work to clients, ensuring satisfaction and alignment with expectations.
  • Collaborate with technical leadership to serve as an expert consultant on assigned client projects, providing guidance and recommendations beyond day-to-day development work.
  • Work with containerized development solutions using Docker and Docker-Compose.
  • Evaluate and integrate third-party tools and frameworks for suitability within projects.
  • Collaborate closely with other Developers and supporting team members to deliver high-quality solutions.
  • Continuously learn and adopt new technologies, applying them creatively to solve client challenges.
  • Develop comprehensive technical documentation to facilitate future software development and maintenance.
  • Perform data analytics and build predictive models to extract insights from complex datasets and support data-driven decision making.
  • Design, train, and deploy machine learning models to solve business problems and improve system capabilities.

What You'll Bring

Experience & Education:

  • 3-10 years of Software Development experience.
  • Bachelor's, Associate's or higher degree in Computer Science or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
  • Strong background in a variety of software design and development concepts as they apply across the software development lifecycle.

Mindset & Approach:

  • Self-starter with a passion for software development and desire to develop quality solutions within a collaborative development environment.
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex requirements, recognize blockers, and apply innovative solutions.
  • Enthusiastic about emerging technologies with proven ability to integrate innovative solutions into existing systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently on technical tasks of growing complexity.
  • Ability to understand and communicate customers' business requirements.

 Technical Background:

  • Direct experience working in an Agile Development Methodology environment.
  • Strong background in object-oriented programming.
  • Experience in biohealth, laboratory systems, or scientific software development is a plus.
  • Valued but not required: Familiarity with regulatory requirements (HIPAA, FDA, GxP) or laboratory workflows.

Specific Technical Qualifications

Core Technologies (in no particular order):

  • Microsoft .NET Framework
  • JavaScript/TypeScript & modern JavaScript Frameworks (React, or similar)
  • Postgres, Microsoft SQL Server, and other relational databases
  • Python and Python frameworks such as FastAPI/Flask
  • Cloud Platforms - Microsoft Azure/Amazon Web Services
  • Web Service/API development
  • Containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes)

Bonus Skills:

  • Data modeling and schema design
  • Data analysis, statistical analysis or data visualization tools
  • Machine Learning frameworks
  • Model Development & Deployment: building, training, and evaluating models


Company Benefits & Perks

  • 20+ days of PTO accruable in the first year!
  • Comprehensive health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) with HMO and PPO options
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with annual employer contributions
  • 401(k) with guaranteed company match (Traditional and Roth options)
  • 100% company-paid short-term and long-term disability
  • 100% company-paid life insurance with option to increase coverage
  • 100% company-paid identity theft protection
  • On-site gym with basketball court
  • Hybrid/remote schedule with home office stipend
  • Fresh fruit, healthy snacks, and beverages provided daily
  • Bonus certification program (Microsoft, AWS, PMP, IIBA, etc.)
  • Employee Assistance Program (counseling, legal, financial services)
  • Monthly and Quarterly Recognition Awards with spot bonuses
  • Company-supported community outreach and volunteer opportunities
  • Employee-run committee involvement opportunities
  • Collaborative culture founded on realized values and incredible people


If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources via email at hradmin@yaharasoftware.com


Yahara Software LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

This is a full-time, salaried position with competitive salary and benefits. Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis and can work on-site in our office located in Madison, Wisconsin.