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Principal Software Engineering Manager Jobs in California

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 ... KBR's work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management ...

KBR, Inc

Principal Software Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Principal Software Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR is seeking an experienced ... KBR's work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management ...

Roblox

Principal Software Engineer, WebRTC

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$153K - $206K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer, Audio-Video-Communication team, you'll be in charge of building ... You will work with our Engineering Managers and Directors within our Engine's team, and will report ...

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Principal Software Engineering Manager information

What is a principal software engineering manager?

A Principal Software Engineering Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing multiple engineering teams, setting technical direction, and ensuring the successful delivery of complex software projects. They combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership skills to mentor engineers, drive architectural decisions, and collaborate with stakeholders across the organization. This role often involves strategic planning, talent development, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the engineering department.

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

To thrive as a Principal Software Engineering Manager, you need deep expertise in software development, strong architectural knowledge, and significant leadership experience, often supported by a relevant degree and years of technical management. Familiarity with cloud platforms (such as Azure or AWS), advanced programming languages, and project management tools (like Jira or Azure DevOps) is typically required. Outstanding communication, team-building, and strategic thinking skills set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure effective technical direction, successful project delivery, and cohesive, high-performing engineering teams.

How does a principal software engineering manager typically balance technical leadership with people management responsibilities?

A Principal Software Engineering Manager often balances technical leadership and people management by dedicating time to both architectural decision-making and team development. This involves participating in high-level design discussions, guiding technical strategy, and ensuring best practices are followed, while also conducting regular one-on-ones, mentoring engineers, and supporting professional growth. Effective delegation, clear communication, and collaboration with cross-functional teams are key to managing this dual scope. Many find that prioritizing transparency and empowering team leads helps maintain this balance and drive both project and people success.

What is the difference between Principal Software Engineering Manager vs Software Development Manager?

AspectPrincipal Software Engineering ManagerSoftware Development Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple teams, sets technical strategy, influences product architectureManages a single development team, focuses on project delivery and team performance
Required CredentialsTypically requires extensive software engineering experience, leadership skills, often a bachelor's or master's degree in CS or related fieldUsually requires experience in software development and team management, with similar educational background
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-team collaboration, high-level decision makingOperational, project-focused, team management
Industry UsageCommon in large tech companies and organizations with multiple product linesWidely used across various companies for team-level management

The main difference between a Principal Software Engineering Manager and a Software Development Manager lies in scope and strategic influence. The Principal role involves overseeing multiple teams and shaping technical direction, while the Software Development Manager focuses on managing a single team and project execution.

What cities in California are hiring for Principal Software Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Principal Software Engineering Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineering Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution.

Principal Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Space Research Administration • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Northrop Grumman Corporationexternal

$145K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 371 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

65th of 547 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Software Engineer based out of Woodland Hills, CA. In this role, you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to our enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of DevSecOps and Agile practices, we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. This position supports the OIX program -- a platform which provides secure messaging and cross-domain solution (CDS) products and services across the federal agencies and foreign partners. Our multi-disciplinary team including software, systems, cyber, and test engineers employ the latest cutting-edge technologies to deliver information across security domains.
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will:
  • Design, develop, document, test, and debug applications software and systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions.
  • Develop software utilizing modern programming languages to modernize and productionize software used to support United States Government requirements.
  • Implement software systems, applications, and architectures that emphasize modularity, scalability, reliability, precision, accuracy, and performance to meet demanding requirements.
  • Conduct multidisciplinary research and collaborate with equipment designers and/or hardware engineers in the planning, design, development, and utilization of electronic data processing systems for product and commercial software.
  • Determine computer user needs; analyze system capabilities to resolve issues related to program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques, and controls.
  • Prepare operating instructions and design and develop compilers, assemblers, utility programs, and operating systems as needed.
  • Develop software infrastructure to support CI/CD, software metrics collection, and MLOps.
  • Ensure industry software engineering best practices and standards are applied and maintained.
  • Work closely with Software Leads and Architects to understand program intent, system capabilities, and output requirements.
  • Support customers on site through installations, upgrades and continuous maintenance.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Software Engineer (T03)
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of relative experience; Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 3+ years of relative experience; PhD + 1 year of relative experience
  • Active Top Secret security clearance and enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
  • Ability to meet customer-specific security screening requirements within a timeframe set forth by management
  • Willingness and ability to work onsite full-time
  • Experience working in C, C++, C#, Java, Java Server Pages (JSP), Web development, test automation, data storage technologies, Windows Server, Linux
  • Familiarity with modern programming standards and features (e.g., C++ 17 onwards)
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze system requirements to derive software design and performance requirements
  • Proven ability to design and code new software, as well as modify existing software to add new features
  • Ability to debug existing software and correct defects
  • Experience with open software/system architecture solutions
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders
  • Experience with developing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines
  • Experience with Git-based or other software configuration management tools

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience leading the performance of tasks on schedule, at cost and achieving specified requirements
  • Experience working in C, C++, C#, Java, Java Server Pages (JSP), Web development, test automation, data storage technologies, Windows Server, Linux
  • Experience with containers (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Experience with Windows Operating Systems
  • Experience with developing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines
  • Familiarity with Agile lifecycle process including Scrum and DevSecOps

This position is contingent upon the successful transfer of an active DoD Top Secret Clearance and the ability to meet customer-specific security screening requirements within a timeframe set forth by management.
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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