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Principal Software Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Northern Trust

Principal, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL

$139K - $186K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and handson execution across complex, cloudnative software initiatives. This role combines ...

Northern Trust

Principal, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$139K - $186K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on execution across complex, cloud-native software initiatives. This role ...

Alphatec Spine

Principal Software Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $187K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for defining the ... Establish and promote software engineering best practices, including software architecture, design ...

Northern Trust

Principal, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$139K - $186K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on execution across complex, cloud-native software initiatives. This role ...

MojoTech

Senior Principal, Software Engineering

Providence, RI · On-site

$126K - $174K/yr

Senior Principal Software Architect MojoTech is an innovative technology consulting firm that integrates strategy, design, data, and software engineering to create results-driven, AI-enabled digital ...

Mondo

Principal Software Engineer - SRE

Boston, MA · Remote

$130K - $185K/yr

Principal Software Engineer - SRE, location is Remote (ET time zone; CT considered if working ET ... Prevent future outages through engineering improvements * Review architecture and influence design ...

Eccalon LLC

Principal Software Engineer- Onsite

Detroit, MI · On-site

$127K - $171K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: Detroit, MI- Onsite Type: Full-time Security Clearance: No ... Elevate engineering quality through design reviews and code reviews * Share knowledge through ...

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How much do principal software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineering 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 is a principal software engineer?

A Principal Software Engineer is a senior-level technical expert responsible for leading complex software projects, setting technical direction, and mentoring engineering teams. They often make high-impact architectural decisions, influence engineering best practices, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable and reliable solutions. In addition to hands-on coding, they play a key role in strategic planning and innovation within an organization. This position typically requires extensive experience in software development and strong leadership skills.

How does a principal software engineer balance hands-on coding with leadership responsibilities?

As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll often split your time between designing and reviewing complex technical solutions and guiding engineering teams through architectural decisions. While you may still write critical code, a significant portion of your role involves mentoring other engineers, influencing technical direction, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure project alignment. This balance allows you to drive technical excellence while fostering team growth and supporting organizational goals. Effective time management and clear communication are key to succeeding in this multifaceted position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal software engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Software Engineer, you need advanced programming expertise, deep architectural knowledge, and extensive experience in software development, usually evidenced by a degree in computer science or a related field. Mastery of development frameworks, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), and familiarity with tools such as CI/CD pipelines and version control systems are essential, along with relevant certifications. Leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are crucial for designing scalable solutions, mentoring teams, and driving technical vision that aligns with organizational goals.

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 do principal software engineers do?

Principal software engineers lead technical teams, design complex systems, and set technical standards within an organization. They often mentor junior engineers, review code, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project success, requiring strong problem-solving skills and expertise in programming languages and development tools.
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Principal Software Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineering job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,936 per year, or $77.4 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer - Test

Lowell, MA

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings
See more jobs at MACOM Technology Solutions Holdingsexternal

$135K - $181K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Principal Software Engineer
Engineering Automation & Measurement Systems
Position Summary
MACOM is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to serve as a recognized technical leader for Engineering Automation and Measurement Systems.
This role combines deep software engineering expertise with a practical understanding of laboratory automation, engineering workflows, test systems, and large-scale technical data environments. The Principal Software Engineer establishes technical direction for engineering software platforms, drives execution of strategically important automation initiatives, and serves as a trusted advisor across multiple engineering organizations.
The successful candidate will influence how engineering data is acquired, managed, analyzed, and utilized throughout the product lifecycle. They will lead the development of next-generation automation frameworks, help define engineering software strategy, mentor technical talent, and drive adoption of best practices across the organization.
This is a highly visible technical leadership position intended for individuals capable of solving exceptionally complex problems while balancing software architecture, business objectives, and engineering needs.
What You'll Do
Define the long-term technical architecture and roadmap for engineering automation platforms.
Lead development of enterprise-scale software solutions supporting engineering characterization, product development, and technical support activities.
Establish architectural standards, development methodologies, and software engineering best practices.
Drive adoption of automation technologies across multiple engineering organizations.
Influence software strategy, technology selection, and investment priorities.
Lead technically complex and multidisciplinary projects involving software, instrumentation, databases, analytics, and engineering workflows.
Solve exceptionally difficult technical problems involving system integration, performance, scalability, and data management.
Partner with engineering leadership to identify productivity bottlenecks and implement organizational automation solutions.
Serve as a high-level technical resource for engineering automation initiatives.
Mentor software engineers and technical contributors throughout the organization.
Communicate technical strategy and software capabilities to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Represent the organization in interactions with software vendors, instrumentation suppliers, and strategic external partners.

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