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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in San Ramon, CA

TENDO

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144.50K - $195.50K/yr

Principal Software Engineer We are looking for a software engineering leader who is passionate about creating next-generation healthcare software that will dramatically improve the lives of patients ...

OneTrust

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$159.10K - $213.20K/yr

Principal Software Engineers are responsible for developing, contributing to decisions related to design and architecture of new frontend and/or backend features while supporting existing development ...

GitHub

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$159.10K - $213.20K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll work alongside a globally distributed team of talented engineers and managers to enhance and scale our most critical infrastructure, delivering an exceptional ...

OneTrust

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$163.50K - $218K/yr

Principal Software Engineers are responsible for developing, contributing to decisions related to design and architecture of new frontend and/or backend features while supporting existing development ...

Walmart

Principal Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$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

$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

$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 · Remote

$157.25K - $212.75K/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 · On-site +1

$157.25K - $212.75K/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

San Jose, CA

$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

$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

$157.25K - $212.75K/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 ...

Joyous

Principal Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$153.80K - $206.20K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Join Joyous in our mission to revolutionize mental health care. As pioneers, we leverage very low dose (VLD) ketamine, AI-powered treatments, and advanced technologies to ...

CEF

Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $150K/yr

Join to apply for the Principal Software Engineer role at CEF.AI . We offer highly competitive compensation and founder‐level equity for this senior technical position. Your true remuneration will ...

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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 May 28, 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 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.

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 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.

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.

More about Principal Software Engineer jobs
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 - SONIC & SAI

Principal Software Engineer - SONIC & SAI

Piper Companies

San Jose, CA • On-site

$210K - $290K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Piper Companies is seeking an Principal Software Engineer - SONIC & SAI who will design and develop high-performance-based networking platforms across a diverse system. The software engineer will be onsite 5 days a week located in Saratoga, CA .
Requirements for the Principal Software Engineer - SONIC & SAI include:
- Spearhead the development of SAI/SONiC SDKs by designing abstraction layers that align hardware capabilities with standardized APIs for efficient control plane operations.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware and software engineering teams to ensure smooth integration and high-performance outcomes.
- Engage in the full software development lifecycle, contributing to planning, implementation, deployment, and ongoing support.
- Build and maintain automated testing frameworks to validate SDK functionality and control plane reliability.
Qualifications for the Principal Software Engineer - SONIC & SAI include:
- Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience working with the SONiC network operating system with SAI.
- Skilled in developing SDKs for hardware platforms and collaborating with embedded systems teams.
- A deep expertise on the Hardware Abstraction Layer with experience in ISSU and BSP.
- Proficient in C/C++ and Python programming within Linux-based environments.
- Well-versed in core networking protocols such as BGP, TCP/IP, and Ethernet.
- Demonstrates a strong foundation in low-level system programming and hardware-software integration.
- Holds a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with extensive software development experience prior to product launch.
Compensation for the Principal Software Engineer - SONIC & SAI includes:
- Salary range: $210,000 - $290,000
- Comprehensive benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, PTO, holidays, and sick leave as required by law.
Keywords: Software, software engineer, SONiC, SAI, switch abstraction interface, SDK development, SDK, embedded systems, Linux, C, C++, python, git, CI/CD, automated testing, control plane, data plane, TCP/IP, BGP, ethernet, network operating system, NOS, routing protocols, network stack, packet processing, BSP, hardware abstraction layer, HW abstraction layer, ISSU, UART, GPIO, 12C, PCIe, device tree, secure boot, in service software upgrades, VXLAN, EVPN, board support package, board bring up
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This job is open for applications on 5/15/2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date

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