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What does a principal software engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.
What does a principal software engineer do

A Principal Software Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's projects. They diagnose, document, and troubleshoot systems to resolve problems identified through testing, as well as implement strategies to improve integration and efficiency.

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Principal software engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real principal software engineer resumes:

  • Manage and fix bugs with JIRA bug tracking application.
  • Manage Blogcritics.org revamp/rewrite using Wordpress, PHP, MySQL and memecach.
  • Participate in daily scrum meetings and used TFS to manage the user stories, tasks and for bugs reporting and tracking.
  • Manage OS security patching and intrusion detection systems.
  • Manage building and deploying DataPower configuration and flows to all environments using Jenkins jobs.
  • Manage Java central monitor, authoring Java system implementing java-base central monitoring system using Linux.
  • Design and implement embedded Linux server-side python application for processing of command/control/response of RF serial detection and compass serial devices.
  • Used private api for Bluetooth communication.
  • Experience with SDLC from design to implementation.
  • Provide system supports for all servers running on AWS.
  • Verify system WCDMA design such as call and RF signal processing.
  • Involve in cloud infrastructure setup on AWS EC2 using programmatic cloud formation.
  • Define API's for hardware abstraction layer and implement event propagation for JSON requests
  • Create an ETL process (SSIS) to move data from Jira and VersionOne.
  • Implement handling of large data for storage, search and retrieval using MongoDB API.

Principal software engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Principal Software Engineers are proficient in Java, Python, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Principal Software Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 16%

    Managed Java central monitor, authoring Java system implementing Java-based central monitoring system using Linux.

  • Python, 8%

    Designed and implemented embedded Linux server-side python application for processing of command/control/response of RF serial detection and compass serial devices.

  • Software Development, 6%

    Defined requirements, software architectures, organized project teams, software development plans, contributed to business development, business proposals.

  • Object Oriented Programming, 4%

    Developed prototype of application, and started development of the application using Visual Basic, object oriented programming.

  • Linux, 3%

    Helped develop state-of-art In Flight Entertainment software using MontaVista embedded Linux OS.

  • AWS, 3%

    Ensured Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure was configured for robust resiliency to maintain high levels of services and availability.

Common skills that a principal software engineer uses to do their job include "java," "python," and "software development." You can find details on the most important principal software engineer responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a principal software engineer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a principal software engineer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "designed and implemented visualization tools to demonstrate detection point technology for real time display and historical statistics analysis. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling principal software engineer duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." According to a principal software engineer resume, here's how principal software engineers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "implement new and update existing java classes to handle all aspects of client communication with the configuration service. "

Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of principal software engineers is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday principal software engineer duties, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "create and maintain java modules in a sophisticated framework to collect data center device inventory and performance data. "

Detail oriented. A big part of what principal software engineers do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to principal software engineer responsibilities because "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical principal software engineer tasks: "recommend configuration details for networking, storage, application servers, java parameters, os and hardware. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in principal software engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what principal software engineers do. Principal software engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." You can also see how principal software engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "designed and developed a java based messaging system to report invalid data to a problem resolution system. "

All principal software engineer skills

The three companies that hire the most principal software engineers are:

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Compare different principal software engineers

Principal software engineer vs. Senior applications engineer

A senior applications engineer specializes in designing and developing a variety of applications and systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around utilizing feedback and client needs when making decisions, creating test structures for applications, performing installment and repairs, troubleshooting, and performing regular maintenance checks and upgrades. Furthermore, as a senior applications engineer, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

If we compare the average principal software engineer annual salary with that of a senior applications engineer, we find that senior applications engineers typically earn a $26,241 lower salary than principal software engineers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between principal software engineers and senior applications engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like java, object oriented programming, and linux.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, principal software engineer responsibilities require skills like "python," "software development," "aws," and "git." Meanwhile a typical senior applications engineer has skills in areas such as "c #," "application development," "help support," and "sr." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Senior applications engineers really shine in the insurance industry with an average salary of $111,125. Comparatively, principal software engineers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $154,293.senior applications engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than principal software engineers. In fact, senior applications engineers are 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Principal software engineer vs. Senior engineer

A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.

A career as a senior engineer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a principal software engineer. In fact, senior engineers salary is $25,487 lower than the salary of principal software engineers per year.A few skills overlap for principal software engineers and senior engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "java," "python," and "object oriented programming. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that principal software engineer responsibilities requires skills like "software development," "aws," "scrum," and "database." But a senior engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "architecture," "c #," "windows," and "sr."

On average, senior engineers earn a lower salary than principal software engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, senior engineers earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $125,167. Whereas principal software engineers have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $154,293.senior engineers earn lower levels of education than principal software engineers in general. They're 5.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for principal software engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Principal software engineer vs. Software architect

A Software Architect develops new programs for a variety of technological devices for businesses, computer games, mobile networks, and/or operating systems. They ensure architectural integrity and consistency across the entire product and work closely with executives to explain the benefits of the software.

On average, software architects earn lower salaries than principal software engineers, with a $19,824 difference per year.By looking over several principal software engineers and software architects resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "java," "python," and "software development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a principal software engineer is likely to be skilled in "software design," "http," "strong problem-solving," and "development environment," while a typical software architect is skilled in "architecture," "cloud," "saas," and "design patterns."

Software architects earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $119,142. Comparatively, principal software engineers have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $154,293.Most software architects achieve a similar degree level compared to principal software engineers. For example, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Principal software engineer vs. Lead engineer

A lead engineer's duties vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing the progress of operations and performance of the workforce, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for addressing issues and concerns, assessing risks, monitoring the budget, coordinating with clients and architects, and even training workers. Furthermore, as a lead engineer, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections to ensure the quality of work and maintain a safe environment for all workers.

Lead engineers typically earn lower pay than principal software engineers. On average, lead engineers earn a $49,303 lower salary per year.According to resumes from principal software engineers and lead engineers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "python," and "object oriented programming. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A principal software engineer uses "software development," "aws," "scrum," and "c." lead engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "architecture," "c #," "project management," and "troubleshoot. "lead engineers enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $110,872. For comparison, principal software engineers earn the highest salary in the retail industry.lead engineers reach lower levels of education compared to principal software engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 6.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of principal software engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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