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Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Ladera Ranch, CA

Alcon

Principal, Software Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$143K - $192K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer, Medical Device Systems is responsible for maintaining, enhancing, and supporting software for Alcon's on-market ophthalmic medical devices and imaging platforms. This ...

Alcon

Principal, Software Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$142K - $190K/yr

The Principal Software Engineer, Medical Device Systems is responsible for maintaining, enhancing, and supporting software for Alcon's on-market ophthalmic medical devices and imaging platforms. This ...

Siemens

Principal Software Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$165K - $283K/yr

Track record of mentoring senior and staff-level engineers About the Team: We are an early-stage ... Principal Engineers at our company are expected to lead by example, model engineering excellence ...

Cotality

Principal Software Engineer (Python)

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$144K - $194K/yr

The hybrid-remote Principal Software Development Engineer leads the design, development, and ... This senior-level position is responsible for creating scalable, high-quality software solutions ...

Cotality

Principal Software Engineer (Python)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$144K - $194K/yr

The hybrid-remote Principal Software Development Engineer leads the design, development, and ... This senior-level position is responsible for creating scalable, high-quality software solutions ...

CoreLogic

Principal Software Engineer (Python)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$144K - $194K/yr

The hybrid-remote Principal Software Development Engineer leads the design, development, and ... This senior-level position is responsible for creating scalable, high-quality software solutions ...

Doist

Principal Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

About the Job As a Principal Software Engineer at Avandra Imaging, you'll serve as a hands‑on technical leader, collaborating across Engineering, Product, and other areas of the business to shape ...

New

Aveva

Principal Software Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$142K - $271K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: Lake Forest, CA Employment Type: Full-time The job You will join a team of Architects responsible for designing innovative, AI-enabled solutions to solve ...

AVEVA

Principal Software Engineer

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$142K - $271K/yr

Principal Software Engineer Location: Lake Forest, CA Employment Type: Full-time The job You will join a team of Architects responsible for designing innovative, AI-enabled solutions to solve ...

EEC Environmental

Senior Principal Engineer

Orange, CA · On-site

$150K/yr

... Senior Principal Engineer to serve in a leadership role in our Orange County office. In this role ... Proficient with MS Office software. Experience with ACAD and/or Civil 3D. Strong oral and technical ...

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All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsSenior Principal Software Engineer JobsSenior Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Ladera Ranch, CA

Senior Principal Software Engineer information

See Ladera Ranch, CA salary details

$87.2K

$165.2K

$228K

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 Ladera Ranch, CA is $165,227.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,400.00 and $183,900.00 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 near Ladera Ranch, CA are hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Ladera Ranch, CA with the most Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings in Ladera Ranch, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $165,227 per year, or $79.4 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer - AI Platform

NextDeavor Inc.

Irvine, CA • Remote

$190K - $200K/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Principal Software Engineer – AI Platform
Full-time
Remote
Exclusive confidential search — details shared with qualified applicants.
 
Become a Key Player as a Principal Software Engineer – AI Platform

You will lead the design and delivery of foundational AI platform capabilities that enable scalable, secure, and reliable AI-powered product experiences. You will influence cross-team architecture, partner with product and engineering stakeholders, and mentor engineers while working remotely.

Here's How You'll Make an Impact on the Team
  • Guide architecture for AI platform services and integrations
  • Build reusable infrastructure for AI-powered applications
  • Support AI evaluation, observability, and operational reliability
  • Partner with product and engineering teams to drive AI adoption
  • Mentor engineers and establish scalable engineering practices
Here's What You'll Need to Be Successful in This Role
  • 8+ years of software engineering experience
  • Strong Python backend and cloud platform expertise
  • Experience integrating LLM or AI APIs into production systems
  • Strong distributed systems and API design knowledge
  • Experience with modern platform engineering and DevOps practices
Pay Range

$190K - $200K/year

Ready to Make Your Mark?

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