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Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TCS

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$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

$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 ...

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

As of Jun 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 the salary of senior principal software engineer?

The salary of a senior principal software engineer typically ranges from $130,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on factors such as location, industry, and experience. In addition to base pay, they may receive bonuses, stock options, and other benefits, especially in large tech companies or startups.

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.

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.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Principal Software Engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership responsibilities, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in high-demand industries like technology and finance.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Principal Software Engineers at large technology companies or in specialized fields such as AI, cloud computing, or financial services can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities within high-demand environments.

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.

Can I make 200k a year as a software engineer?

Senior Principal Software Engineers at large tech companies or with extensive experience and specialized skills can earn $200,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise, with senior roles typically requiring advanced knowledge of systems architecture, leadership, and relevant programming languages.
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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,430 per year, or $74.7 per hour.
Senior Principal Software Engineer

Senior Principal Software Engineer

TCS

Huntsville, AL

$123K - $170K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Clearances Required: Active DoD Secret

Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States

Job Description

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

Essential Functions:

  • The Senior 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 Senior 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 8 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree and 6 years of related work experience, or 4 years 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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