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Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs in California

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Principal Software Engineer

Woodland Hills, CA · On-site

$165.26/hr

Senior Principal Software Engineer * Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 8+ years of software development experience (or equivalent combination of advanced degree and experience). For both levels:

SingleStore

Sr./Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$147K - $203K/yr

Position Summary We are seeking a Senior/Principal Software Engineer to join the Engineering team and play a critical role in designing and delivering core capabilities for SingleStore's. This is a ...

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Senior Principal Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$80.9K

$153.4K

$211.7K

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

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal software engineer in California is $153,394.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,900.00 and $170,700.00 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 in California are hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,394 per year, or $73.7 per hour.

(Senior) Principal Software Engineer - Navigation

Judge Group, Inc.

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$100 - $140/hr

Other

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Location: Los Angeles, CA Salary: $100.00 USD Hourly - $140.00 USD Hourly Description:
Summary:
We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Senior Principal Software Engineer - Navigation based out of Woodland Hills, CA. As a Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.
What You'll get to Do:
In this position you will be developing, testing, and debugging software for our cutting edge Navigation systems. As a member of our world class software development team, you will have opportunities to improve and expand your capabilities in software design and code development. You will also have opportunities to perform software and system integration on state of the art hardware, learn new software development techniques such as Model Based Engineering (MBE), and work in an agile and collaborative development environment.
As a successful candidate, you will collaborate with peers across our organization and will have clearly demonstrated the strong leadership skills needed to join our top performing team. You will have a track record as an effective communicator and problem solver who is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with our internal and external customers. You will also have demonstrated a commitment to ethics and integrity, and the capability to innovate while challenging our traditional ways of doing business. You will make us even better!
Basic Qualifications for Principal Software Engineer:
  • Bachelors degree in STEM with 5 years of hands on Software Development experience; 3 years of experience with Masters in STEM; 1 year with a PhD in STEM
  • Experience developing software in MATLAB/Simulink
  • Experience with programming (C and Python)
  • Experience using software management and workflow automation tools such as ClearCase, Git, ClearQuest, or Jira
  • Experience using MATLAB to create, process, analyze, and visually represent data.
  • Experience using Simulink to model dynamic systems.
  • Experience with Navigation Systems and INS/GPS Kalman filter design and requirements definition
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative development environment
  • Required to work on site full-time

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Software Engineer:
  • Bachelors degree in STEM with 8 years of hands on Software Development experience; 6 years of experience with Masters in STEM; 4 Years with a PhD in STEM
  • Experience developing software in MATLAB/Simulink
  • Experience with programming (C and Python)
  • Experience using software management and workflow automation tools such as ClearCase, Git, ClearQuest, or Jira
  • Experience using MATLAB to create, process, analyze, and visually represent data.
  • Experience using Simulink to model dynamic systems.
  • Experience with Navigation Systems and INS/GPS Kalman filter design and requirements definition
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative development environment
  • Required to work on site full-time

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in the development and performance of software tests
  • Experience using DOORS for software requirements management
  • Expertise in Sensor Fusion for Navigation Systems using IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), GPS, barometers, and other sensors.
  • Expertise in INS (Inertial Navigation System) mechanizations.
  • Expertise in Embedded INS/GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation systems.
  • Demonstrated capability to translate formal software requirements into software designs
  • Demonstrated capability to define software requirements for an INS/GPS system
  • Familiarity with/Experience in INS/GPS Kalman filter design and requirements definition
  • Experience developing, verifying, certifying and releasing mission and safety-critical software systems that comply with RTCA DO-178B/ C or similar guidelines.
  • Demonstrated use of MATLAB for simulation and INS/GPS system performance evaluation
  • Hands-on experience with one or more communication protocols such as MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429 or RS-422
  • Experience with code analysis tools such as Polyspace and software test tools such as LDRA and VectorCast

By providing your phone number, you consent to: (1) receive automated text messages and calls from the Judge Group, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively "Judge") to such phone number regarding job opportunities, your job application, and for other related purposes. Message & data rates apply and message frequency may vary. Consistent with Judge's Privacy Policy, information obtained from your consent will not be shared with third parties for marketing/promotional purposes. Reply STOP to opt out of receiving telephone calls and text messages from Judge and HELP for help.
Contact:
This job and many more are available through The Judge Group. Please apply with us today!

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