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Principal Software Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MLabs

Principal Software Engineer - US

$220K - $300K/yr

Principal Software Engineer, Backend Infrastructure (Remote, US) Location: US (remote-first, office ... Drive improvements to CI/CD, observability, and engineering processes across multiple teams.

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Tysons Corner, VA

$135K - $182K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... Exercise strong engineering judgment: know when to move quickly, when to invest in a robust ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Mclean, VA

$136K - $183K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... Exercise strong engineering judgment: know when to move quickly, when to invest in a robust ...

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Principal Software Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer is a visionary with a strong foundation in software design ... Mentor and guide engineering teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

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 ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (Ph.D. preferred)

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Washington, DC

$152K - $205K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... Exercise strong engineering judgment: know when to move quickly, when to invest in a robust ...

Alarm.com

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA

$155K - $208K/yr

Principal Software Engineer -- emPower Do you love working with connected devices, automation, and ... Exercise strong engineering judgment: know when to move quickly, when to invest in a robust ...

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Principal Software Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer is a visionary with a strong foundation in software design ... Mentor and guide engineering teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

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Principal Software Engineering information

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$60.5K

$160.9K

$231K

How much do principal software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 21, 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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Principal Software Engineers and senior engineering roles in high-demand industries such as technology, finance, and cloud computing can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What do principal software engineers do?

Principal software engineers lead technical teams, design system architecture, and set development standards. They often mentor engineers, review code, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project success, requiring strong technical expertise and leadership skills.

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.

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 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.

What does a principal software engineer make?

A principal software engineer typically earns a salary ranging from $120,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often receive additional compensation such as bonuses, stock options, and benefits, reflecting their senior leadership and technical expertise in software development and architecture.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior software engineers, principal engineers, and engineering managers in high-demand industries or at large tech companies can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and leadership responsibilities.

How does a Principal Software Engineer typically 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.
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What cities are hiring for Principal Software Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Principal Software Engineering job openings:
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Principal Software Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineering job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,936 per year, or $77.4 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer - US

MLabs

Remote

$220K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Principal Software Engineer, Backend Infrastructure (Remote, US)
Location: US (remote-first, office optional), will consider strong profiles from Canada. EST preferred.
Compensation: $220K - $300K
Are you a technical leader ready to build the next generation of financial infrastructure?
Join a stellar team of leaders and experts in blockchain technology, cryptography, infrastructure, and security to build the backbone of secure, resilient systems for the evolving financial era. Our client is hiring a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and scaling of their core backend systems. This is a high-impact, remote-first role for someone who excels at setting technical direction and owning critical projects end-to-end.
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will be more than just a coder; you will be a key driver of technical strategy and execution. You will own mission-critical projects while setting the technical direction and ensuring their platform is fast, resilient, and secure under the high-stakes demands of financial workflows.
  • Lead the design and development of highly scalable, secure backend services and APIs.
  • Define and evolve the architecture for databases, microservices, and system integrations.
  • Own critical projects from initial requirements through production deployment and iteration.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex performance and reliability challenges at massive scale.
  • Drive improvements to CI/CD, observability, and engineering processes across multiple teams.
  • Collaborate with product, security, and leadership to shape roadmap priorities and align technical execution with long-term company strategy.
  • Mentor senior engineers, promote best practices, and represent technical expertise in high-level client discussions.
  • Make key architectural decisions and drive engineering standards across the organization.

Requirements
  • 10+ years of backend software engineering experience, with demonstrable leadership in the fintech, payments, or blockchain space.
  • Mastery of TypeScript plus deep expertise in one or more systems languages (e.g., Rust, Go, C++).
  • Proven track record building scalable APIs, robust infrastructure, and developer platforms.
  • Deep expertise with databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, NoSQL) and major cloud platforms (e.g., AWS).
  • Strong knowledge of microservices architecture, CI/CD pipelines, observability tools, and the Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SSDLC).
  • Familiarity with applied cryptography, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and secure backend architectures.
  • Exceptional problem-solving skills, clear communication, and the ability to influence technical direction across teams.

Benefits
  • Title: Principal Software Engineer
  • Salary: $220,000-300,000 per year (full-time)
  • Equity: 150-300 stock options vested over 4 years
  • Healthcare & Retirement: Comprehensive Healthcare coverage and 401K plan.
  • Equipment: High-end work equipment provided (MacBook Pro + essentials).
  • Travel: Covered travel expenses.

Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate, we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates. If you do not hear back from us within 4 weeks of your application, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. We genuinely appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your job search.
Commitment to Equality and Accessibility:
At MLabs, we are committed to offer equal opportunities to all candidates. We ensure no discrimination, accessible job adverts, and providing information in accessible formats. Our goal is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for all. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the hiring process or you would like to see the job-advert in an accessible format please let us know at the earliest opportunity by emailing human-resources@mlabs.city.
MLabs Ltd collects and processes the personal information you provide such as your contact details, work history, resume, and other relevant data for recruitment purposes only. This information is managed securely in accordance with MLabs Ltd's Privacy Policy and Information Security Policy, and in compliance with applicable data protection laws. Your data may be shared only with clients and trusted partners where necessary for recruitment purposes. You may request the deletion of your data or withdraw your consent at any time by contacting legal@mlabs.city.

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