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Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Principal Software Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$131K - $175K/yr

Principal Software Engineer About Prometheus Group: Prometheus Group is a team of self-starters ... You will be expected to take on the most complicated features while also mentoring less senior ...

Principal Software Engineer

Morrisville, NC · Hybrid

$126K - $169K/yr

... software development. This position demands extensive knowledge of current technologies and ... The Principal Engineer will collaborate closely with other senior leaders to align technological ...

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Senior Principal Software Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$79.7K

$151.1K

$208.5K

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

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal software engineer in Raleigh, NC is $151,090.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,000.00 and $168,200.00 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.

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 $200,000 a year?

Senior Principal Software Engineers often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in areas like cloud computing or AI, and working at large tech companies or in high-demand industries. Compensation can include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, reflecting their seniority and expertise.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Senior Principal Software Engineers at large tech companies or in specialized fields such as AI or cloud computing can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-paying industries or organizations with competitive compensation packages.

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. Achieving this level typically requires advanced technical expertise, certifications, and a track record of impactful project delivery.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Principal Software Engineers at large technology companies or in specialized fields such as finance or cloud computing can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced technical skills, leadership responsibilities, and a strong track record of delivering high-impact projects.

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 near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings:
Software Engineer Level 3 or 4

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 23 hours ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 353 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Space Sector is seeking multipleSoftware Engineersto support an innovative program in their development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground software.

This position is located onsite on ourAurora, CO, Fairfax, VA, or Morrisville, NC campus.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to take ownership of hard problems and drive to a solution, while working in a team environment and provide leadership for its implementation. It is critical that you understand the software development life cycle. The Software Engineer will participate in the full life cycle of software development, to include requirements development, modeling and design, application development, unit to CSCI testing, integration, formal system testing, release, installation, and maintenance. The Software Engineer will apply technical expertise in solving complex integrations problems.

This position requires interfaces between systems analysts/programmers and users located in a specialized area to ensure that information technology designs meet the needs of the end users within an organization. Documents product/service requirements and develop test procedures to ensure user requests are carried out. The Software Engineer will interact with Program Management, and/or government customers.Therefore, excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills are required.A solid experience in bash scripting, Python, or other OOP languages, in a Linux environment is required.

About our organization:Our Aurora Software & Digital Engineering department comprises 200+ engineers, DevOps specialists, system administrators, DBAs, and network engineers-from entrylevel talent to chief architects. Engineers often serve as informal subjectmatter experts and may assume formal technicalleadership roles. Career progression into higherlevel technical or leadership positions is strongly supported.

What You'll Have an Opportunity to Do:

  • Full stack development at the OS, platform, and mission unique software layer
  • Applications will span languages and toolsets including GO, Python, Postgres, Kubernetes/Docker, AWS cloud infrastructure provisioning, PKI, and static code analysis execution and finding remediation.
  • Developer will be expected to be a self-starter capable of making decisions with overall project budget and schedule in mind.
  • Develop software which provides command and control functionality of a hardware system (sending commands, receiving acknowledgements, working on and integrating across interfaces)
  • Develop software which enables activity planning and constraint checking to achieve mission outcomes.
  • Develop software which enables the visualization of a complex and dynamic environment in both two and 3 dimensions, complete with decisions tools, intelligent context, and user-centric interface design.

This position may be filled at the Principal Software Engineer (level 3) or Sr. Principal Software Engineer (level 4).

Basic Qualifications:

Principal Software Engineer Level 3:

  • Bachelor's Degree with 5 years of development experience (3 years with a Master's Degree, 1 years with a PhD). 4 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
  • ActiveTop Secret clearancewithSCI eligibilityat time of application.
  • 2 Years Experience with Agile programs
  • 2 Years Experience with the design, build, and deployment of software products
  • 2 Years Experience in producing software architecture documentation
  • Experience with Python, GO, AWS, GitLab workflows, and Docker/Kubernetes

Sr. Principal Engineer Level 4:

  • Bachelor's Degree with 8 years of development experience (6 years with a Master's Degree, 4 years with a PhD).4 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
  • ActiveTop Secret clearancewithSCIeligibility at time of application.
  • 4 years with Agile programs
  • 4 years of experience with the design, build, and deployment of software products
  • 4 years of experience in producing software architecture documentation
  • 5 years of experience with Python, GO, AWS, GitLab workflows, and Docker/Kubernetes
  • Prior experience with development of microservice software architecture

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience developing satellite ground software with any of the following applications for spacecraft missions is highly preferred: Command and Control, Mission Planning, Visualization, and/or Astrodynamics
  • Experience with the creation and use of planning software and constraint checking applications utilized in complex and dynamic space mission planning
  • Experience with the creation and implementation of visualization tools for space missions, including dynamic renderings of space vehicles, depiction of space vehicle missions, simulation of space vehicle sensor and mission outputs, and configuration displays of complex contextual and situational awareness information
  • Linux, Ansible, Docker, UI/UX experience
  • Active CI polygraph
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939