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Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Arizona

Senior Principal Software Engineer Tucson, AZ US The Senior Principal Software Engineer position is focused on the development, integration, test, and maintenance of software as a part of on-site ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$116K - $160K/yr

NR Consulting is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer focused on the development, integration, testing, and maintenance of software for test systems in an on-site factory environment. The ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Tempe, AZ · Remote

$122K - $168K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and development of next-generation Agentic AI platforms and applications that power personalization, lifecycle engagement, and ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · Remote

$122K - $169K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and development of next-generation Agentic AI platforms and applications that power personalization, lifecycle engagement, and ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · Remote

$122K - $169K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and development of next-generation Agentic AI platforms and applications that power personalization, lifecycle engagement, and ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Tempe, AZ · Remote

$122K - $168K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and development of next-generation Agentic AI platforms and applications that power personalization, lifecycle engagement, and ...

Principal Software Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$127K - $171K/yr

Principal Software Engineer - Tucson, AZ (Onsite) Active Secret Clearance Required A leading aerospace & defense company is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to develop and maintain Windows-based ...

Principal Software Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$116K - $155K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Posting Start Date: 6/16/26 Job Location (Short): Tucson, Arizona, USA ... Experience mentoring senior engineers and technical leaders. * Strong communication skills with ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Principal Software Engineer information

See Arizona salary details

$76.4K

$144.8K

$199.9K

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

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal software engineer in Arizona is $144,843.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,000.00 and $161,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior principal software engineer do?

A senior principal software engineer leads complex software development projects, designs system architecture, and mentors engineering teams. They focus on technical strategy, ensure code quality, and often collaborate with product managers to align technical solutions with business goals. Strong expertise in programming, system design, and problem-solving is essential for this role.

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.

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 cities in Arizona are hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,843 per year, or $69.6 per hour.

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Quest Global

Tucson, AZ • On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Quest Global rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

238th of 441 rated engineering


Job description

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Tucson, AZ US

The Senior Principal Software Engineer position is focused on the development, integration, test, and maintenance of software as a part of on-site factory support of test systems to support product testing.  The selected candidate will develop applications, libraries, and instrument drivers using the software style, development language, and integrated development environment specified by the organization.

The selected candidate will contribute to multidiscipline engineering teams. Typical work involves the development of both engineering and production test equipment, environments, and systems. As such, the candidate will contribute to the completion of all stages of test product development for RMD test products. They will be expected to work, either as a part of their team or independently, to uncover and resolve issues associated with the development and implementation of test systems.

What You Will Learn:

·         Guiding multidisciplined teams in the development of test equipment

·         Prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a production environment

·         Contributing to cost and schedule management planning

·         Communicating with senior management on project status

·         Troubleshooting software and test equipment

·         Develop requirements for software products

·         Written and interpersonal communication skills with Program Management

Qualifications You Must Have: 

·         Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced degree in a related field and minimum 7 years’ experience.  

·         Minimum of ten (10) years developing and integrating software applications using programming languages including but not limited to C++. C#, Java, Python, or Visual Basic

·         Minimum of ten (10) years of professional engineering experience utilizing integrated development environments and debugging tools to troubleshoot software implementation and ensure integrity of the software products.

·         Experience with Windows Operating System and Microsoft Visual Studio, and Microsoft Azure DevOps Server.

·         Familiarity with laboratory test instrumentation, electronics, and software (Ex. NI VISA, NI Measurement and Automation Explorer, NI Switch Executive)

Qualifications We Prefer: 

·         Working knowledge of computer architecture and computer hardware optimization techniques.

·         Extensive knowledge of common computer hardware interface and data protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, or RS-422

·         Extensive knowledge of the development of software drivers for the operation of computer hardware interfaces.

·         Professional experience with Unified Modeling Language (UML) to visualize software architecture and design (EX. IBM Rhapsody, Cameo System Modeler, and Cameo Enterprise Architecture)

·         Professional experience of software development lifecycles, such as Agile

·         Experience with Software Configuration Management principles

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date

Company Description

Who We Are:
Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, hi-tech, healthcare, medical devices, rail and semiconductor industries.
We are looking for humble geniuses, who believe that engineering has the potential to make the impossible possible; innovators, who are not only inspired by technology and innovation, but also perpetually driven to design, develop, and test as a trusted partner for Fortune 500 customers. As a team of remarkably diverse engineers, we recognize that what we are really engineering is a brighter future for us all. If you want to contribute to meaningful work and be part of an organization that truly believes when you win, we all win, and when you fail, we all learn, then we’re eager to hear from you.

The achievers and courageous challenge-crushers we seek, have the following characteristics and skills:


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