1

Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Manchester, NH

Principal Software C/C++ Engineer

Chelmsford, MA · On-site

$140K - $188K/yr

We are seeking Senior Software Engineers to join our development team in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. All teams develop software in a variety of languages including C++, C, and several others.

Software Engineer

Bedford, NH · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Experience as a Principal Investigator on DoD/IC research projects * Experience in business ... reverse engineering * Resilient networking in support of cyber mission goals * Software-defined ...

We are looking for a seasoned Principal Software Engineer who finds satisfaction in technical excellence and the challenge of keeping the factory running. This role is the backbone of our high-volume ...

We are looking for a seasoned Principal Software Engineer who finds satisfaction in technical excellence and the challenge of keeping the factory running. This role is the backbone of our high-volume ...

Software Engineer

Bedford, NH · On-site

$112K - $179K/yr

... reverse engineering * Resilient networking in support of cyber mission goals * Software-defined ... Experience as a Principal Investigator on DoD/IC research projects * Experience in business ...

... reverse engineering * Resilient networking in support of cyber mission goals * Software-defined ... Experience as a Principal Investigator on DoD/IC research projects * Experience in business ...

Software Engineer

Bedford, NH · On-site

$112K - $179K/yr

... reverse engineering * Resilient networking in support of cyber mission goals * Software-defined ... Experience as a Principal Investigator on DoD/IC research projects * Experience in business ...

Showing results 41-60

Principal Software Engineer information

See Manchester, NH salary details

$59K

$157K

$225.3K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Manchester, NH is $156,967.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,700.00 and $176,500.00 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 Manchester, NH?

For Principal Software Engineer jobs in Manchester, NH, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Manchester, NH 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 $156,967 per year, or $75.5 per hour.

Principal Software C/C++ Engineer

Chelmsford, MA • On-site

Raytheon
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

$140K - $188K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

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


RTX rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-06-18

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-MA-TEWKSBURY-TB3 ~ 50 Apple Hill Dr ~ CONCORD BLDG, Tewksbury Tb3 300 Concord

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

We are seeking Senior Software Engineers to join our development team in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. All teams develop software in a variety of languages including C++, C, and several others. Candidates can expect to work on many if not all the phases of the software development life cycle.

In this position, you will be responsible for providing practical solutions to difficult technical software problems. You can expect to support multiple programs and multiple platforms within a software product line. Software Engineering positions include working on a variety of different tasks including real-time software development, application software development, test and verification, data analysis, software tools development, and many others.

This role will be 100% on-site in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.

What You Will Do

  • Assist and participate in the requirements, design, development and testing of real-time embedded software, application software, and tools, to include development of new work products or enhancement of existing applications and systems.

  • Design, code, test, integrate and document software solutions.

  • Participate in internal review of software components and systems.

  • Collaborate with project managers and other professionals within Engineering.

  • Follow established development practices and processes to maintain the configuration management of software products.

Qualifications You Must Have

  • Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations.

  • Experience with C++, C and/or Java.

  • The ability to obtain and maintain an Interim Secret U.S. Government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Knowledge of data structures and algorithms, systems software design, operating systems, architectures, software development life cycle and processes.

  • Experience in software development, and with Windows and Linux Operating Systems, GIT, Jira, Jenkins, Perl, Bash, and Kornshell.

  • Experience developing software in a team-based development environment, preferably Agile/SCRUM, DevOps and test automation.

  • Strong problem-solving and communication skills, including ability to produce technical documentation, and the desire to learn new technologies and tools.

  • Able to travel domestic and international.

  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with coworkers.

  • Demonstrated ability to work with colleagues who represent multiple work and conflict resolution styles.

What We Offer

  • Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

  • Relocation eligible.

Learn More & Apply Now!

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA , an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm 

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

Privacy Policy and Terms:

Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms


What RTX employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


RTX logo

About RTX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing, it services, aerospace product and parts manufacturing and engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Waltham, MA, US

Social media