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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Tysons Corner, VA

$135K - $182K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Mclean, VA

$136K - $183K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Washington, DC

$152K - $205K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA

$155K - $208K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and real-world systems? Have you automated your own home, built integrations across smart devices, or ...

VTG

Principal Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$200K - $275K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer will design, develop, integrate, test, and maintain enterprise software solutions that interface with embedded devices and vendor-provided Software Development Kits ...

Bigbear.ai

Principal Software Engineer

Columbia, MD

$151K - $227K/yr

Overview BigBear.ai is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to support the exciting Advanced Analytics Team mission. Engineer will work closely with mission stakeholders to analyze software ...

VTG

Principal Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$200K - $275K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer will design, develop, integrate, test, and maintain enterprise software solutions that interface with embedded devices and vendor-provided Software Development Kits ...

GliaCell Technologies

Principal Software Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$134K - $179K/yr

Are you a Principal Software Engineer who is ready for a new challenge that will launch your career to the next level? * Tired of being treated like a company drone? * Tired of promised adventures ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Principal Software Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$68.3K

$181.6K

$260.6K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Washington, DC is $181,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $152,300.00 and $204,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

How much does a principal software engineer get paid?

A principal software engineer typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually in the United States, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and company size. They often have advanced skills in software architecture, leadership, and technical expertise in programming languages and tools.
More about Principal Software Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Principal Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $181,592 per year, or $87.3 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Envision Innovative Solutions

Annapolis Junction, MD • On-site

$215K - $250K/yr

Other

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Envision Innovative Solutions
Current Job Openings >> Principal Software Engineer
Principal Software Engineer
Summary
Title: Principal Software Engineer ID: 1004 Department: Mission Intelligence and Cyber Location: Annapolis Junction, Maryland Clearance Requirements: TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph
Description

Riverstone Enterprise Solutions, an Envision Innovative Solutions Company, delivers mission-focused technology solutions to the Intelligence Community. Since 2008, we have supported critical national security programs by building high-performing engineering teams and developing innovative enterprise solutions. Our engineers work in a collaborative, zero-bureaucracy environment where expertise is valued, ideas are heard, and contributions directly drive mission success. Your adventure begins now-unleash your potential at Riverstone, we combine the agility of a small company with the impact of a big mission.

Riverstone is seeking a motivated, career, and customer-oriented Principal Software Engineer  to join our team at Annapolis Junction, Maryland. This is an onsite position.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Develops, maintains, and enhances complex and diverse software systems (e.g., processing-intensive analytics, novel algorithm development, manipulation of extremely large data sets and real-time systems).
  • Analyze user requirements to derive software design and performance requirements
  • Debug existing software and correct defects
  • Provide recommendations for improving documentation and software development process standards
  • Design and code new software or modify existing software to add new features
  • Integrate existing software into new or modified systems or operating environments
  • Develop simple data queries for existing or proposed databases or data repositories
  • Write or review software and system documentation
  •  Serve as team lead at the level appropriate to the software development process being used on any particular project
  •  Design or implement complex database or data repository interfaces/queries
  • Develop or implement algorithms to meet or exceed system performance and functional standards
  •  Assist with developing and executing test procedures for software components
  •  Develop software solutions by analyzing system performance standards, confer with users or system engineers; analyze systems flow, data usage and work processes; and investigate problem areas
  • Modify existing software to correct errors, to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance
  •  Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcome and consequences of design

Required Skills:

  • Twelve (12) years' experience as a Software Engineer in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity is required.
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or related discipline from an accredited college or university is required. Four (4) years of additional SWE experience on projects with similar software processes may be substituted for a bachelor's degree
  • Experience with 3 or more of the followings: Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Data, Sprint Security, JMS, KAFKA, Java, Oracle, Elasticsearch, Docker, Kubernetes/K8, Maven, Gradle, GitLab, CI/CD.

Security Clearance Requirement:

  • Current/Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph.


The projected compensation range for this position is $215,000.00-$250,000.00. There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories

Riverstone Enterprise Solutions is an equal-opportunity employer. All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age, disability or any other basis prohibited by law

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