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Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TCS

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$123K - $170K/yr

Huntsville, Alabama, United States TCS is searching for a Senior Principal Software Engineer to join our strong team of Engineers supporting our Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) customer in ...

TCS

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

Huntsville, Alabama, United States TCS is searching for a Senior Principal Software Engineer to join our strong team of Engineers supporting our Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) customer in ...

Auria

Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$155 - $180/hr

As a Sr. Principal Software Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, development, documentation, testing, deployment, and debugging of software applications. This includes researching ...

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Senior Principal Software Engineer information

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$82K

$155.4K

$214.5K

How much do senior principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal software engineer in the United States is $155,430.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior principal software engineer?

A Senior Principal Software Engineer is a highly experienced and skilled professional who leads the design, architecture, and development of complex software systems. They often act as technical experts, providing guidance on best practices, code quality, and system scalability. In addition to coding, they mentor other engineers, influence technology strategy, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver business-critical solutions. Their role typically requires extensive industry experience and a deep understanding of both software engineering and business requirements.

How does a senior principal software engineer typically contribute to strategic decision-making within a technology organization?

Senior Principal Software Engineers play a key role in shaping technical direction and architecture at an organizational level. They often collaborate closely with engineering leadership, product managers, and cross-functional teams to evaluate technology choices and align projects with long-term business goals. This role involves mentoring other engineers, driving adoption of best practices, and proactively identifying technical risks and opportunities. By influencing architectural decisions and setting technical standards, Senior Principal Software Engineers help ensure the scalability, reliability, and maintainability of critical systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior principal software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Principal Software Engineer, you need deep expertise in software development, architecture design, and advanced problem-solving, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field. Mastery of programming languages (such as Java, C++, or Python), cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), and experience with CI/CD tools or architectural frameworks is essential, with certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect being advantageous. Exceptional leadership, communication, and mentorship skills set outstanding candidates apart by enabling them to guide teams and influence technical direction. These competencies ensure the delivery of robust, scalable solutions and drive organizational innovation and efficiency.

What is the difference between Senior Principal Software Engineer vs Lead Software Engineer?

AspectSenior Principal Software EngineerLead Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, extensive experienceBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, significant experience
Work EnvironmentStrategic, architecture, and high-level technical leadershipProject management, team coordination, technical guidance
Industry UsageResearch, enterprise, large-scale tech companiesProduct teams, startups, mid-sized companies

The Senior Principal Software Engineer typically focuses on strategic technical direction and architecture, often working across teams and influencing company-wide technology decisions. In contrast, the Lead Software Engineer manages project execution and team coordination. Both roles require advanced technical skills, but their focus areas differ, with the Senior Principal emphasizing long-term vision and the Lead emphasizing project delivery.

How much does a senior principal software engineer get paid?

A senior principal software engineer typically earns between $130,000 and $200,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often have advanced skills in system architecture, leadership, and may receive bonuses or stock options as part of compensation.

What cities are hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,430 per year, or $74.7 per hour.

Senior Principal Software Engineer (ServiceNow Information Architect)

Dell

Round Rock, TX

$116K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Senior Principal Software Engineer (ServiceNow Information Architect)Be a part of a team that’s ensuring Dell Technologies' product integrity and customer satisfaction. Our IT Software Engineer team turns business requirements into technology solutions by designing, coding and testing/debugging applications, as well as documenting procedures for use and constantly seeking quality improvements.Join us to do the best work of your career and make a profound social impact as a Senior Principal Software Engineer on our Software Engineer-IT team in Round Rock, Texas.What you’ll achieve:As a Senior Principal Software Engineer, you are responsible for ensuring that ServiceNow serves as the enterprise system of record for technology assets, software assets, SaaS products, business applications, technical services, digital products, and related operational data.The role combines expertise in ServiceNow data architecture, CSDM, CMDB, IT Asset Management, Software Asset Management, Service Portfolio, and enterprise process modeling to establish a trusted enterprise registry that supports operations, architecture, governance, security, and digital product management.We are seeking a hands-on Senior Principal ServiceNow Information Architect to design, govern, and continuously improve the enterprise information model represented within ServiceNow.
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About DELL

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Dell Technologies helps organizations and individuals build a brighter digital tomorrow. Our company is made up of more than 150,000 people, located in over 180 locations around the world. We're proud to be a diverse and inclusive team and have an endless passion for our mission to drive human progress.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Round Rock, TX, US

Year founded

1984

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