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Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Leidos

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in developing the forefront of unmanned and autonomous ship development for the US Government. Based in Arlington, VA, you ...

Leidos

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in developing the forefront of unmanned and autonomous ship development for the US Government. Based in Arlington, VA, you ...

Kastle Systems

Principal Software Engineer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

We are looking for an experienced Principal Software Engineer who will be responsible for developing and maintaining our flagship product assets. This includes the architecture, design, development ...

Leidos

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Description We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in developing the forefront of unmanned and autonomous ship development for the US Government. Based in ...

Carmax

Principal Software Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

About the position We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer who will be part of a team focused on building robust, enterprise level inventory platforms and solutions. Prior experience with ...

Carmax

Principal Software Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$136K - $204K/yr

About the position We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer who will be part of a team focused on building robust, enterprise level inventory platforms and solutions. Prior experience with ...

CarMax, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

About the position We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer who will be part of a team focused on building robust, enterprise level inventory platforms and solutions. Prior experience with ...

Leidos

Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead

Arlington, VA · On-site

$155K - $208K/yr

We're seeking a Principal Engineer / Technical Lead to support the Compartmented Enterprise ... Serve as a senior technical authority and escalation point for cross-team and cross-domain issues

Leidos

Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead

Arlington, VA · On-site

$155K - $208K/yr

We're seeking a Principal Engineer / Technical Lead to support the Compartmented Enterprise ... Serve as a senior technical authority and escalation point for cross-team and cross-domain issues

Blue Star Families

Principal Software Engineer

Ashburn, VA · Hybrid

$143K - $175K/yr

The successful candidate will be the lead developer for embedded software within DTECH, as well as supporting other projects. The role is initially technically focussed, but we are looking for a ...

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All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsSenior Principal Software Engineer JobsSenior Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Senior Principal Software Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$81.3K

$154.1K

$212.7K

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

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal software engineer in Virginia is $154,097.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,400.00 and $171,500.00 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 Virginia are hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $154,097 per year, or $74.1 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Leidos

Arlington, VA • On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 491 rated business services

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in developing the forefront of unmanned and autonomous ship development for the US Government. Based in Arlington, VA, you will be embedded within an Agile Scrum team - designing, building, and testing software that powers some of the nation's most critical maritime programs. The candidate will help to lead projects of significant national importance, guiding the transformation of existing vessels into autonomous platforms and supporting the development of new ships from concept through deployment.
What You'll Work On:
Our software portfolio spans the full spectrum of autonomous maritime operations, including:
  • Ship Automation & Control Systems
  • Autonomous Navigation
  • Sensor Fusion & Processing
  • Communication Systems
  • Modeling & Simulation for verification and software testing

Primary Responsibilities
  • Analyze, design, code and update software for new features and performance improvements.
  • Participate in the full software development lifecycle, from requirements and design through implementation, testing, and deployment.
  • Serve as technical lead for small projects, providing direction and ensuring technical quality.
  • Mentor and coach junior engineers, fostering professional growth and elevating team capabilities.
  • Perform peer reviews of software, ensuring quality, maintainability, and adherence to best practices.
  • Drive continuous process improvement, collaborating with the team to optimize workflows, tools, and engineering practices.
  • Assist with evaluating field tests, analyzing results and transitioning findings into actionable software enhancements.
  • Engage directly with client project stakeholders, communicating technical progress, risks, and solutions effectively.
  • Some travel (up to 25%) to support field testing, client engagements, and program milestones.

Basic Qualifications
  • A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or STEM field plus 12+ years of professional software development experience, or 10+ years of professional experience with a Master's degree.
  • Understanding of data structures.
  • Professional experience using C++ and Linux.
  • Knowledge of the Linux operating system.
  • Experience with software source control and configuration management tools.
  • Significant experience working in a team environment, including experience providing guidance and coaching other developers
  • Exposure to one or more of the following: high availability, sensor fusion, target tracking, path planning, communications systems, or military systems integration.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence)
  • Familiarity with automated build processes (Bamboo, Jenkins, etc.)
  • Professional experience using Java and front-end development frameworks.
  • Knowledge and experience with relational databases such as Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, or Microsoft SQL Server.
  • Experience with Python.
  • Experience designing complex systems, considering performance and user requirements.
  • Experience with interface communication standards / protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, and DDS.
  • Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety critical software.
  • Demonstrated experience with Docker and Kubernetes (RKE2) in containerization, Kubernetes management and automation technologies.
  • Experienced in designing, implementing, and analyzing simulations involving extensive datasets, ensuring efficient data processing and accurate modeling outcomes.
  • Proficient in applying vector geometry concepts for spatial analysis, modeling, and problem-solving in simulation environments.
  • Active Secret Security Clearance preferred

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
July 31, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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