1

Senior Principal Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As a Sr. Principal Software Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, development, documentation, testing, deployment, and debugging of software applications. This includes researching ...

As a Sr. Principal Software Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, development, documentation, testing, deployment, and debugging of software applications. This includes researching ...

Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 6, 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 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 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:
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,430 per year, or $74.7 per hour.

Principal / Sr. Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Melbourne, FL

$125K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 360 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 536 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: 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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer / Sr. Principal Embedded Software Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located onsite in Melbourne, Florida.

Accomplish:

This position offers the opportunity to design, develop, integrate and test software for our end-user customers and businesses. Specifically, you will be responsible for the design, architecture, development, and administration of embedded and real time systems. You will work with multi-disciplinary teams, such as with Systems Engineering, Test Automation, DevSecOps and Systems Test, in an Agile software development environment. You will analyze system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques and controls.

Essential Functions:

  • Work in an innovative environment, on significantly diverse assignments, and in collaborative team settings across all levels
  • Participate in the full software development life cycle including requirements, design, implementation, qualification, and delivery of software products to our customers
  • Architect and develop embedded mission systems software applications on a real time operating system
  • Be a part of Agile Scrum teams to develop software products for multiple software baselines

This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Software Engineer level 3 or a Sr. Principal Software Engineer level 4

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Software Engineer (level 3):

  • 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 in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience with Agile Framework within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience developing software and scripts in C, Object Oriented C++ AND/OR Python for Safety/Mission-Critical applications/Systems within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience with Software Change Control, Change Management, and CI/CD tools such as: Atlassian (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Bamboo), AND/OR GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience architecting, Designing, Modeling (Rhapsody OR Cameo), Implementing, Maintaining, Integrating, Debugging, Verifying and Qualifying Safety/Mission-Critical Embedded Real Time Software written in OO C++ running on Real-Time Operating Systems such as: VxWorks, Integrity, AND/OR Real Time Embedded Linux within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience with Static & Dynamic Code Analysis Tools and Fuzzing Tools such as: Coverity, SonarQube, AND/OR Fortify within the last 3 years.
  • Must have an active U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance prior to the commencement of employment.

Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Software Engineer (level 4):

  • 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 in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience with Agile Framework within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience developing software and scripts in C, Object Oriented C++ AND/OR Python for Safety/Mission-Critical applications/Systems within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience with Software Change Control, Change Management, and CI/CD tools such as: Atlassian (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Bamboo), AND/OR GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience architecting, Designing, Modeling (Rhapsody OR Cameo), Implementing, Maintaining, Integrating, Debugging, Verifying and Qualifying Safety/Mission-Critical Embedded Real Time Software written in OO C++ running on Real-Time Operating Systems such as: VxWorks, Integrity, AND/OR Real Time Embedded Linux within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated Professional Experience with Static & Dynamic Code Analysis Tools and Fuzzing Tools such as: Coverity, SonarQube, AND/OR Fortify within the last 3 years.
  • Must have an active U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance prior to the commencement of employment.

Preferred Qualifications for both a Principal Software Engineer and Sr. Principal Software Engineer:

  • Differentiating characteristics include demonstrated leadership, teamwork capabilities, strong time management, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to collaborate with systems engineers, hardware designers and integration/test engineers to develop and maintain complex software systems
  • Recent Demonstrated Professional Experience with DOORs AND/OR Software Requirement Specification Testing using Simulators, automated scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, AND/OR Bash.
  • Recent Demonstrated Experience with software network interfaces and troubleshooting networks (TCP/IP, UDP, LAN, VLAN, SNMP or others).
  • Current Special Access Program (SAP) access.
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00The 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.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Northrop Grumman logo

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