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Principal Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Massachusetts

Principal Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$145K - $175K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Help expand access to high-quality behavioral health care for students ... Our engineering team builds technology that drives clinical excellence and operational efficiency.

Principal Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$152K - $228K/yr

Full-Stack Engineering: Work across both application code and infrastructure, contributing to ... with the hiring manager . We do not conduct interviews via instant messaging or text. All ...

Principal Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$146K - $196K/yr

Job Summary : 1872 Consulting is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to play a key role in ... engineering practices, implementation, and be the mentor and champion for your team • Work ...

Software Engineering Manager

Waltham, MA · Hybrid

$162K - $190K/yr

So, join us as a Software Engineering Manager and find your superpower. National Grid is hiring a Software Engineering Manager. This role operates under a hybrid working model and is open to ...

Showing results 21-40

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 Massachusetts are hiring for Principal Software Engineering Manager jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineering Manager job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Principal Software Applications Engineer Onsite in Burlington MA

Burlington, MA • On-site

Glaukos
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees

$146K - $197K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description


How You'll Contribute:
The Principal Software Development Engineer will bring with them skills and experience in desktop software design and implementation. Reporting to the Director of Software Development, the Principal Software Development Engineer works side-by-side with software, electrical, mechanical engineers, and scientists to design and create software code within our products to achieve design goals. This position is in a cross functional team that is working to develop future generations of our corneal therapy system. The Principal Software Development Engineer will contribute to product design & development, testing, risk analysis, design for reliability, and design for manufacturability of existing and next generation products. The Principal Software Development Engineer will work with Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, Operations, Quality and Marketing/Sales; meeting performance, quality, and cost goals, while optimizing time to market.
What You'll Do:
  • Create, with the senior engineering team, the software architecture, design philosophy, design requirements and specifications.
  • Responsible for all levels of software design and implementation, from algorithm design to coding as well as the necessary design documentation.
  • Implement software development and design control requirements for regulated markets per 21 CFR 820, IEC 14971, IEC 62304, and applicable FDA guidance.
  • Responsible for unit testing, and integration testing of software modules. Applies best practices with regards to the use of version control software.
  • Work closely with the SWQA team to investigate and resolve issues identified during testing.
  • Work together with hardware designers in order to obtain optimum system performance.
  • Support maintenance and improvement of legacy products as required

How You'll Get There:
  • 12+ years of relevant experience.
  • 10+ years of experience in software engineering, algorithm creation, I/O control, systems control, and similar or related activities.
  • 5+ years of progressive and hands-on experience designing and developing commercial software in C#.
  • 5+ years of progressive and hands-on experience designing and developing commercial software using a cross-platform GUI framework such as QT.
  • Experience with software architecture formulation and assessment, and software technology selection for new products.
  • Strong working knowledge of common programming languages, especially C, C++, C#, and associated development environments. Python and other high-level language experience are a plus.
  • Experience with design patterns and experience with architecture patterns like MVC and MVVM is required.
  • A demonstrated record of innovation and creative problem solving on fast paced engineering projects.
  • Experience developing applications that incorporate 3rd party libraries and UI components.
  • Experience with Git.
  • Experienced at implementing custom command protocols over a variety of communication including TCP/IP.
  • A record of successful product development - concept through commercialization.
  • Experienced in writing requirements and specifications.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential
  • Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or similar required, Advanced degree preferred
  • This role works onsite in Burlington, MA

#GKOSUS
About Us
Generous. Innovative. Leadership-driven. Family-oriented. Socially responsible.
Founded in 1998, Glaukos Corporation is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases.
Our mission at Glaukos is to truly transform vision by pioneering novel, dropless therapies that can meaningfully advance the standard of care and improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic, sight-threatening eye diseases.
Innovation is at the core of everything we do, and we are resolute in our commitment to challenge conventional thinking with new treatment alternatives that are supported by real science, robust clinical evidence, and an unrelenting focus on patients.
Our constant pursuit of game-changing technologies that disrupt legacy treatment paradigms is encapsulated in the Glaukos mantra "We'll Go First," which articulates our willingness to take chances, our determination to forge new ground, and our commitment to continuous improvement in all that we do.
Our company completed an initial public offering in June of 2015, and our shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GKOS". Our global headquarters is in Aliso Viejo, California with additional locations in San Clemente, California, and Burlington, Massachusetts.
Glaukos Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, including successfully passing a drug screen, based on the position and local regulations.