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Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

$146K - $201K/yr

Zuora, Inc. seeks Senior Principal Software Engineer to: * Define scalable, maintainable, and high-performance solutions. * Serve as primary architect for various projects executing the design ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · Remote

$128K - $177K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$133K - $183K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$147K - $203K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site +1

$121K - $167K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$133K - $183K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$128K - $177K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$121K - $167K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Salt Lake City, UT · Remote

$128K - $177K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Senior Principal Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$147K - $203K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Principal Software Engineer will bring deep expertise in one or more technologies including distributed microservice architecture, Go, Ent, gRPC, Twirp, and/or AWS ...

Sr Principal Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$148K - $204K/yr

The Technical Lead Sr Principal Software Engineer, BSW is a senior technical leader and enterprise-wide authority for base software on high-performance automotive computing platforms across CARIAD ...

Sr Principal Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$148K - $204K/yr

The Technical Lead Sr Principal Software Engineer, BSW is a senior technical leader and enterprise-wide authority for base software on high-performance automotive computing platforms across CARIAD ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Principal Software Engineer information

See salary details

$82K

$155.4K

$214.5K

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

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal software engineer in the United States is $155,430.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,500.00 and $173,000.00 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.

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 are hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs? The top employers for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Principal Software Engineer jobs include:
Principal or Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Principal or Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

San Diego, CA • On-site

$133K - $183K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 337 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

104th of 516 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal or a Sr. Principal Software Engineer to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. This position will be sourced out of Software Engineering organization in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
In this role you will work in an embedded technology environment to develop, integrate, and test software working with real-time operating systems for use in flight and mission critical systems, with a particular focus on hardware/software integration and modeling and simulation software development. You will work with multi-disciplinary teams, such as with Systems Engineering, Real-time & Embedded Software, Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineering, DevSecOps, and Systems Test. In an Agile software development environment, candidates will work on software supporting various systems in all phases of the software development lifecycle including requirements, design, development, integration, and test. The position requires working knowledge of the full development life-cycle processes that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Candidates must exhibit strong leadership characteristics in coordinating with multiple teams and managing tasks.
Roles and Responsibilities will include but not limited to :
  • Design, development, maintenance, and execution of automated software tests for qualification of embedded software products
  • Experienced in working in a lab environment on an Agile project
  • Knowledge of, and experience working in, all phases for the Software Development Lifecycle
  • Analyze requirements allocated to computer software configuration items (CSCI).
  • Develop detailed, clear, and concise technical documentation.
  • Candidate will work with software developers and other engineers, as needed, to help diagnose and identify the root cause of problems found during software installation, integration, acceptance test, and operational events.
  • Submit detailed problem reports for errors found.

Candidates must be comfortable in development, lab, and operational environments, as well as be able to collaborate closely with system engineers, hardware designers, integration/test engineers, and program leadership.
**This role may be filled at either the Principal Software Engineer or a Sr. Principal Software Engineer level based on the qualifications below.**
Basic Qualifications:
  • Principal: Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience OR a PhD degree in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience
  • Sr. Principal: Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience OR a PhD degree in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience
  • Experience with safety-critical embedded real time software.
  • Experience with developing software and scripts in C/C++, and Python.
  • Experience with software development methodologies and frameworks such as waterfall and / or Agile for all phases of the software development life cycle.
  • Experience with software change control, change management, and CI/CD tools such as: Atlassian tool suite, GitHub, GitLab, AND/OR Jenkins.
  • Experience with software architecture, design, implementation, integration, debugging, and testing safety-critical embedded real time software written in C/C++ running on real-time operating systems such as: VxWorks, Integrity, AND/OR Real Time Embedded Linux.
  • Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Top -Secret clearance, and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company. (Note: SAP/PAR will be upgraded once selected candidate is in role. Therefore, candidates must also be able to obtain and maintain upgraded SAP/PAR.)

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with UAV route planning, routing algorithms or other geometrically based algorithms.
  • Familiarity with static code analysis tools such as: Coverity, SonarQube, and Fortify.
  • Familiarity with using MATLAB
  • Previous experience with existing avionic system
  • Recent experience and proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, AND/OR Bash.
  • Recent experience and proficiency with multi-threaded programming in C/C++ for real time systems.
  • Differentiating characteristics include demonstrated leadership, excellent teamwork, and excellent oral and written communication.
  • Recent experience and proficiency with multi-threaded programming in C/C++ for real time systems.
  • Experience with SOAP and Java services.
  • Recent experience and proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, AND/OR Bash.
  • Current Special Program Access

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00
The 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