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Principal Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Humana

Principal Software Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site +1

$129K - $173K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer provides strategic advice and guidance to functional team(s). Highly skilled with broad, advanced technical experience. The Principal Software Engineer standardizes ...

SlyFox Solutions LLC

Principal Software Engineer

Woodbine, MD · On-site

$148K - $198K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer will drive the company's technical vision and provide strategic guidance to the software development team. This senior role is for an individual with deep industry ...

KBR

Principal Software Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site +1

$143K - $192K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR is seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to support the MSEIT contract at Space Systems Command (SSC). This role combines ...

KBR, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$143K - $192K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR is seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to support the MSEIT contract at Space Systems Command (SSC). This role combines ...

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Principal Software Engineer information

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$60.5K

$160.9K

$231K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in the United States is $160,936.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,000.00 and $181,000.00 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.
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Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Humana

Louisville, KY • On-site, Remote

$129K - $173K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

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

Humana rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 262 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

158th of 281 rated insurance

Job description

Become a part of our caring community
The Principal Software Engineer codes software applications based on business requirements. The Principal Software Engineer provides strategic advice and guidance to functional team(s). Highly skilled with broad, advanced technical experience.

The Principal Software Engineer standardizes the quality assurance procedure for software. Oversees testing and debugging and develops fixes. Researches complaints and makes necessary adjustments and/or recommendations to resolve complex software related issues. Works with senior executives to develop and drive segment or enterprise-wide functional strategies. Advises one or more areas, programs or functions and provides recommendations to senior executives on matters of significance, and as an advanced subject matter expert competent to work at very high levels in multiple knowledge and functional areas across the enterprise.

Day-to-Day Activities

Serve as a hands-on software engineering advisor to IT executives

Advise SVP and executive technology leaders on engineering strategy, platform health, delivery risks, architectural decisions, and modernization opportunities. Translate complex software engineering issues into clear business, risk, funding, and execution recommendations.

Act as a player by actively building and improving software

Personally contribute to critical engineering work by designing, coding, testing, reviewing, and deploying capabilities across enterprise platforms, integration layers, and production systems. Use modern development practices, including agentic AI-enabled coding where appropriate, to accelerate delivery and improve system reliability.

Coach developers and raise engineering standards

Mentor associate engineers, contractors, and delivery teams through code reviews, pairing, technical design discussions, and best-practice coaching. Set expectations for clean code, small pull requests, meaningful commits, automated testing, secure coding, and efficient delivery practices.

Drive engineering alignment across complex delivery teams

Coordinate engineering outcomes across matrixed internal teams, vendors, architects, product owners, and business partners. Ensure solutions are technically sound, architecturally consistent, secure, scalable, and aligned to enterprise standards and long-term platform strategy.

Lead platform roadmap, technical investment, and transformation discipline

Partner with business and IT leadership to define the product/platform roadmap, identify funding needs, prioritize engineering investments, and challenge decisions that create technical debt, operational risk, or misalignment with enterprise transformation goals. Exercise the judgment and credibility to say "no" when needed to protect long-term platform health


Use your skills to make an impact

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a related technical field
  • 10 or more years of technical experience
  • 2 - 5 years of project/people leadership
  • Must be passionate about contributing to an organization focused on continuously improving consumer experiences
  • 1+ years exp building and optimizing AI-driven pipelines

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's or Doctorate's degree

Additional Information

Work at Home Requirements To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees' ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees must meet the following criteria: At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is required; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested. In certain roles, the minimum recommended internet speed required by Humana may not be sufficient for business needs. Humana reserves the right to require associates to upgrade their internet service if necessary. Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information. Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Pay Range

The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.


$156,600 - $215,400 per year


This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.

Description of Benefits

Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, "Humana") offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.
About us
About Humana: Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health - delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer atHumana.comand atCenterWell.com.


Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action, in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, to employ and to advance in employment individuals with disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.

What Humana employees say

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About Humana

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, KY., is a leading health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the nation with whom the company has relationships.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Louisville, KY, US

Year founded

1961

Social media

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