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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in San Ramon, CA

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Natera

Principal Software Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$162K - $217K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: South San Francisco, CA preferred; Remote optional Job Type: Full-time About the Role We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join Natera's R&D Platform ...

Natera

Principal Software Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · Remote

$162K - $217K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: South San Francisco, CA preferred; Remote optional Job Type: Full-time About the Role We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join Natera's R&D Platform ...

Natera

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$159K - $213K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: South San Francisco, CA preferred; Remote optional Job Type: Full-time About the Role We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join Natera's R&D Platform ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

principal, software engineer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

principal, software engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

principal, software engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Tendo

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$157K - $212K/yr

Additionally, the Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including React, TypeScript, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS technologies like EventBridge and ...

Tendo

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$157K - $212K/yr

Additionally, the Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including React, TypeScript, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS technologies like EventBridge and ...

Walmart

principal, software engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

principal, software engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

Principal, Software Engineer We are seeking a talented and passionate Principal, Software Engineer to join our International Technology Organization. The ideal candidate will have experience as a ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs in San Ramon, CA

Principal Software Engineer information

See San Ramon, CA salary details

$67.6K

$179.8K

$258.1K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in San Ramon, CA is $179,849.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $150,900.00 and $202,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Principal Software Engineers?

Principal Software Engineers are highly experienced technical leaders responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing complex software systems. They set technical direction, mentor engineering teams, and often collaborate with stakeholders to align technology solutions with business goals. In addition to coding, they play a key role in establishing best practices, reviewing architectural decisions, and ensuring high-quality software delivery. Their expertise and leadership are critical in driving innovation and maintaining technical excellence within an organization.

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal Software Engineers and senior technical leaders in high-demand industries such as technology, finance, and cloud computing often earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in areas like distributed systems or machine learning, and relevant certifications. Compensation can include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

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.

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.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Principal Software Engineers at large technology companies or in specialized fields such as machine learning, cloud computing, or cybersecurity can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities within high-demand environments.

What Is 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.

How much do principal software engineers get paid?

Principal software engineers typically earn between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses and stock options. Salaries vary based on experience, location, industry, and company size, with some earning over $200,000 in high-demand markets.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Principal Software Engineers at senior levels in large companies or with specialized skills such as machine learning or cloud architecture can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. However, such high compensation is typically reserved for experienced professionals in high-cost-of-living areas or executive-level roles, and not common for entry- or mid-level positions.
More about Principal Software Engineer jobs
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What job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in San Ramon, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in San Ramon, CA are:
What cities near San Ramon, CA are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities near San Ramon, CA with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:
Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

eGain Corporation

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

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eGain (NASDAQ: EGAN) is the global leader in AI knowledge management platforms for enterprise customer engagement. Trusted by the world's most customer-centric companies, eGain's platform combines the power of generative AI with structured, curated enterprise knowledge to deliver accurate, consistent, and compliant answers across every customer touchpoint.
eGain's customer base is anchored in large enterprises. Our AI Knowledge Hub, AI Agent, Composer, and Evaluator products are deployed in mission-critical environments where accuracy, governance, and scale are non-negotiable. The Principal Software Engineer role exists to help us continue raising the engineering bar on those products - and to lead the way in how we build software in the AI era.
The Opportunity
Software engineering is undergoing the largest shift in a generation. AI coding assistants, agent-based development workflows, and automated testing and review tools are changing how the best teams design, build, ship, and support production systems. eGain is investing decisively in that future - both in the AI products we sell and in how we engineer them.
This role exists to anchor that investment on the engineering side. As a Principal Software Engineer in our Engineering team, you will architect and build AI-powered services that ship to some of the world's largest enterprises, set the technical patterns the rest of the org builds on, and lead the adoption of AI-assisted development workflows across the team. It is a hands-on senior individual contributor role with broad technical influence
What You Will Do
Technical Leadership & Architecture
  • Own the end-to-end design of AI-powered software tools, services, and applications across the eGain product portfolio
  • Define the API, caching, and microservice patterns that the broader engineering organization builds on
  • Lead architecture and design reviews for high-impact features and subsystems, balancing customer urgency with long-term maintainability
Hands-On Engineering
  • Participate hands-on in coding, debugging, performance optimization, and production issue resolution
  • Own the quality, performance, and reliability of the application surfaces you build - including on-call support and root-cause analysis for critical issues
AI-Powered Engineering Practices
  • Leverage AI-powered engineering tools, coding assistants, and agent-based development workflows across the full software lifecycle - development, testing, debugging, code reviews, and documentation generation
  • Identify, evaluate, and roll out open-source and AI-assisted tooling that meaningfully improves engineering productivity and software quality
  • Establish guardrails, evaluation practices, and review standards for AI-assisted code so we move fast without compromising on quality or security
Team Impact & Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Mentor Senior and Software Engineer II-level engineers through design reviews, code reviews, and pairing
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver features from concept through release
  • Represent Engineering in cross-functional forums, enterprise architecture discussions, and customer escalations
What You Bring
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field from a top-tier university
  • 7 to 10 years of hands-on software engineering experience building modern, large-scale distributed applications with cloud-native architecture
  • Strong experience with microservices architecture, APIs, caching technologies, and scalable application design
  • 3 to 5 years of experience using open-source, AI-assisted engineering tools and development workflows in real-world, production-scale environments
  • Demonstrated track record of leading complex technical work end-to-end and influencing peers without formal authority
  • Production ownership experience - you have been on-call for systems you designed and you understand what it takes to run them reliably
Why eGain
  • Market leadership in AI knowledge management - a category that is mission-critical for the world's largest enterprises navigating AI adoption
  • AI at enterprise scale - your code will ship to Fortune 500 customers in regulated industries, not lab demos
  • Engineering culture that takes craft seriously - clean architecture, thoughtful reviews, and AI-assisted workflows as a first-class part of how we work
  • Senior IC seat with direct line to engineering leadership and meaningful influence on technical direction
  • Profitable, publicly traded SaaS company (NASDAQ: EGAN) with the AI ambition of a startup and the engineering discipline of a company that has been doing this for two decades
Our Hiring Process is "Easy with eGain"
Step 1
Written test
  • Aptitude section - this is a GRE style test (60 minutes or less)
  • Functional section - this is a take-home test

Step 2
Panel interview (in-person at eGain Sunnyvale office)
Next step
Email your resumé to [email protected] with the position title "Principal Software Engineer" in the email subject.
Compensation
  • The salary is $200,000 per year.
  • Stock options.

Please note that the compensation package can vary based on the candidate's qualifications and experience level.

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