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Principal Software Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TCS

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$133K - $178K/yr

The selected Principal Software Engineer responsibilities will include the support of the GMD ... Bachelors Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline preferred ...

TCS

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$133K - $178K/yr

The selected Principal Software Engineer responsibilities will include the support of the GMD ... Basic Qualifications: * Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or ...

ProRata.ai

Principal Software Engineering Manager

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$151K - $203K/yr

They are seeking a Principal Software Engineering Manager to lead the design and development of their core ad serving infrastructure and mentor a team of engineers. Responsibilities : • Lead the ...

Foundation Software

$140 - $210/hr

Principal Software Architect Strongsville, OH | Full Time About the Role Foundation Software is ... Lead architecture reviews and establish engineering standards and best practices. * Mentor ...

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 ...

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 ...

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How much do principal software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,936 per year, or $77.4 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

TCS

Huntsville, AL

$133K - $178K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Clearances Required: Active DoD Secret

Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States

Job Description

TCS is searching for a Principal Software Engineer to join our strong team of Engineers supporting our Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) customer in Huntsville, AL. The GMD program is a portion of the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) system to protect the US and our allies from ballistic missile attacks. The selected candidate will use modern tools to further the development and sustainment of the GMD system.

This is an in-office position. Remote work is not available.

Role:

The selected Principal Software Engineer responsibilities will include the support of the GMD Weapons System (GWS) program as an individual contributor on the GMD Fire Control (GFC) product.

Essential Functions:

  • The Principal Software Engineer will be responsible for understanding, implementing, and testing both existing and new capabilities and algorithms, which include complex mathematics and physics-based solutions, that directly support GWS capabilities on behalf of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
  • As a Principal Software Engineer on the GFC team, you will be part of a team that writes the software (currently ~1.5 million lines of code) that evaluates and manages the threat scene for the missile defense system that protects the US.
  • The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/teams comprised of all experience levels.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelors Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline preferred from an accredited university and 5 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree and 3 years of related work experience, or 1 year of related work experience with a PhD.
  • Recent experience developing software in C++ or Java or Ada
  • Willingness to become proficient with Ada software development
  • Applicants must possess good communication skills.
  • Applicants must demonstrate ability to think critically and capture concepts in work products, presentations, and discussions.
  • Capable of working both independently and within a team environment.
  • Must be able to support an in-person / closed-area work environment.
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time to support business needs.
  • Applicants must have a current active in-scope DoD-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Highly experienced with Linux, scripting, and operations
  • Recent MATLAB and Python experience
  • Experience on a large-scale missile defense system like GMD.
  • Advanced degree or strong background in Mathematics or Physics
  • Battle Management or Fire Control experience.
  • Experience with Agile Project Management tools (Jira/Confluence) and DevSecOps tools and methods (Jenkins, Ansible, Git/Gitlab) of continuous integration/continuous delivery and deployment (CI/CD) automation.

Benefits:

  • Highlights of our benefits include BC/BS Health, Dental, Vision, 401(k) match, Profit Sharing, Flexible Time Off, STD/LTD/Life Insurance, Referral Bonuses, professional development reimbursement, vacation, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave.

Apply online or visit us at www.tcs-inc.com/careers

TCS, Inc. is an EEO Employer.

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