Principal Software Engineer Jobs in California
Principal Software Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, semiconductor design, and consumer technology across the full seniority range from senior engineer to distinguished engineer. The largest hiring volumes are in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Google, and Qualcomm maintain major engineering campuses. The most in-demand specialties are distributed systems, machine learning platform engineering, and developer infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 422+ Principal Software Engineer jobs
It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious task for his coworker, Phyllis. She cried tears of joy. That moment inspired Fred to build a company that could do that for everyone—freeing people from busywork so they could focus on meaningful work. Today, ServiceNow is the AI control tower for business reinvention. Our ServiceNow AI platform brings together any AI, any data, and any workflow— helping 85% of the Fortune 500® work smarter, faster, and better. We're building an AI-native culture where technology and talent are unstoppable together. And we're just getting started.
Join us to put AI to work for people.
Job Description
The ServiceNow Security Organization (SSO)
The ServiceNow Security Organization (SSO) delivers world-class, innovative security solutions to reduce risk and protect the company and our customers. We enable our customers to migrate their most sensitive data and workloads to the cloud, accelerating our business so that we are the most trusted SaaS provider. We create an environment where our employees are proud to work and can make a positive impact.
ServiceNow runs mission-critical workflows for a large share of the world's enterprises. Cyber Defense Engineering protects ServiceNow and the platform our customers run on. Cyber defense doesn't scale through headcount alone. It scales when systems make defenders exponentially more effective. Data is how we get there.
As Principal Software Engineer & Architect, you will own the technical direction of the data and platform systems behind detection, investigation, hunting, response, and AI-driven defense. Several engineering teams will build against your architecture, and your decisions will show up in measurable security outcomes.
What You'll Do
- Own the architecture of our multi-system security data platform, from ingestion to access, including the data that powers detection, investigation, hunting and risk analytics. Decide what data lives where, weighing business value, performance, retention, and cost, and remove duplication across systems.
- Define shared schemas, data models, and data contracts so telemetry from different sources is consistent, trustworthy, and joinable for both people, automation and AI.
- Build the data foundation for applied AI in security operations: data and feature pipelines, model evaluation, retrieval, and governed data access for AI agents that investigate and respond to threats.
- Build access control, data protection, auditability, and compliance into the architecture so the platform is secure by design.
- Lead technical design across teams, resolve tradeoffs on shared platforms, and keep the architecture coherent as the organization grows. Drive major decisions to closure through design and decision documents.
- Set engineering standards for source control, CI/CD, testing, and observability. Mentor engineers through design and code review.
- Tie platform investments to measurable outcomes: detection coverage; time to detect, investigate, and mitigate; data quality and freshness; and more.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a similar field.
- 10+ years of software engineering experience, with 3+ years in a principal, staff, or architect role.
- Proven experience designing and operating large-scale cloud data platforms in production, including data modeling, data warehouse design, and high-volume streaming and batch telemetry pipelines across multiple systems.
- Hands-on ML/AI experience, including shipping ML or LLM-based systems to production, and working knowledge of how data quality, freshness, and lineage limit model performance.
- Proficiency in SQL and at least one general-purpose language (Python, Go, or Java).
- A record of setting technical direction across teams without formal authority.
- Clear, concise writing and a habit of documenting decisions and their rationale.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience applying ML and graph-based analysis to security problems, such as anomaly detection, entity correlation, incident investigations, or attack path analysis.
- Experience in security operations, such as SIEM platforms, security datalakes, detection engineering, or incident response.
- Knowledge of secure data access patterns such as RBAC/ABAC, masking, and policy-as-code.
- Advanced degree in machine learning, AI, or a related field.
#SecurityJobs
For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $221,200 - $387,100, plus equity (when applicable), variable/incentive compensation and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer health plans, including flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, matching donations, a flexible time away plan and family leave programs. Compensation is based on the geographic location in which the role is located and is subject to change based on work location.
Additional Information
Work Personas
We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with legal requirements.
Accommodations
We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are unable to use this online application and need an alternative method to apply, please contact globaltalentss@servicenow.com for assistance.
Export Control Regulations
For positions requiring access to controlled technology subject to export control regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ServiceNow may be required to obtain export control approval from government authorities for certain individuals. All employment is contingent upon ServiceNow obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by relevant export control authorities.
From Fortune. ©2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.
It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious task for his coworker, Phyllis. She cried tears of joy. That moment inspired Fred to build a company that could do that for everyone—freeing people from busywork so they could focus on meaningful work. Today, ServiceNow is the AI control tower for business reinvention. Our ServiceNow AI platform brings together any AI, any data, and any workflow— helping 85% of the Fortune 500® work smarter, faster, and better. We're building an AI-native culture where technology and talent are unstoppable together. And we're just getting started.
Join us to put AI to work for people.
Job Description
The ServiceNow Security Organization (SSO)
The ServiceNow Security Organization (SSO) delivers world-class, innovative security solutions to reduce risk and protect the company and our customers. We enable our customers to migrate their most sensitive data and workloads to the cloud, accelerating our business so that we are the most trusted SaaS provider. We create an environment where our employees are proud to work and can make a positive impact.
ServiceNow runs mission-critical workflows for a large share of the world's enterprises. Cyber Defense Engineering protects ServiceNow and the platform our customers run on. Cyber defense doesn't scale through headcount alone. It scales when systems make defenders exponentially more effective. Data is how we get there.
As Principal Software Engineer & Architect, you will own the technical direction of the data and platform systems behind detection, investigation, hunting, response, and AI-driven defense. Several engineering teams will build against your architecture, and your decisions will show up in measurable security outcomes.
What You'll Do
- Own the architecture of our multi-system security data platform, from ingestion to access, including the data that powers detection, investigation, hunting and risk analytics. Decide what data lives where, weighing business value, performance, retention, and cost, and remove duplication across systems.
- Define shared schemas, data models, and data contracts so telemetry from different sources is consistent, trustworthy, and joinable for both people, automation and AI.
- Build the data foundation for applied AI in security operations: data and feature pipelines, model evaluation, retrieval, and governed data access for AI agents that investigate and respond to threats.
- Build access control, data protection, auditability, and compliance into the architecture so the platform is secure by design.
- Lead technical design across teams, resolve tradeoffs on shared platforms, and keep the architecture coherent as the organization grows. Drive major decisions to closure through design and decision documents.
- Set engineering standards for source control, CI/CD, testing, and observability. Mentor engineers through design and code review.
- Tie platform investments to measurable outcomes: detection coverage; time to detect, investigate, and mitigate; data quality and freshness; and more.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a similar field.
- 10+ years of software engineering experience, with 3+ years in a principal, staff, or architect role.
- Proven experience designing and operating large-scale cloud data platforms in production, including data modeling, data warehouse design, and high-volume streaming and batch telemetry pipelines across multiple systems.
- Hands-on ML/AI experience, including shipping ML or LLM-based systems to production, and working knowledge of how data quality, freshness, and lineage limit model performance.
- Proficiency in SQL and at least one general-purpose language (Python, Go, or Java).
- A record of setting technical direction across teams without formal authority.
- Clear, concise writing and a habit of documenting decisions and their rationale.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience applying ML and graph-based analysis to security problems, such as anomaly detection, entity correlation, incident investigations, or attack path analysis.
- Experience in security operations, such as SIEM platforms, security datalakes, detection engineering, or incident response.
- Knowledge of secure data access patterns such as RBAC/ABAC, masking, and policy-as-code.
- Advanced degree in machine learning, AI, or a related field.
#SecurityJobs
For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $221,200 - $387,100, plus equity (when applicable), variable/incentive compensation and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer health plans, including flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, matching donations, a flexible time away plan and family leave programs. Compensation is based on the geographic location in which the role is located and is subject to change based on work location.
Additional Information
Work Personas
We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with legal requirements.
Accommodations
We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are unable to use this online application and need an alternative method to apply, please contact globaltalentss@servicenow.com for assistance.
Export Control Regulations
For positions requiring access to controlled technology subject to export control regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ServiceNow may be required to obtain export control approval from government authorities for certain individuals. All employment is contingent upon ServiceNow obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by relevant export control authorities.
From Fortune. ©2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.
See All 422+ Principal Software Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Software Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Roblox43
- Northrop Grumman42
- Walmart39
- Palo Alto Networks24
- NVIDIA14
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software51
- Gaming & Esports9
- Electronics & Hardware8
- Manufacturing6
- Media & Entertainment5
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal software engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
- Ten or more years of software engineering experience with at least three in a technical lead capacity
- Deep expertise in system design, distributed architecture, and large-scale production environments
- Proficiency in one or more of Java, Python, Go, or C++ with a strong understanding of performance tradeoffs
- Demonstrated ability to define engineering roadmaps and drive cross-team technical decisions
- Experience mentoring senior engineers and partnering with product and infrastructure organizations
Principal Software Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal software engineer in California?
Principal software engineer is not a licensed role in California, so there is no state board or required certification. The path typically runs through a computer science or software engineering degree, followed by progressive engineering roles at increasingly complex scale. California employers weight demonstrated technical leadership, system design depth, and a history of shipping large-scope projects. Contributing to open-source work or earning cloud architecture certifications from providers like AWS or Google Cloud strengthens a candidacy.
How much do principal software engineers make in California?
Principal software engineers in California earn a median of about $174,410 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $105,060 for the lowest 10% to over $272,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire principal software engineers in California?
Employers hiring principal software engineers in California right now include Roblox, Northrop Grumman, and Walmart, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's density of enterprise software, semiconductor, and consumer technology companies means principal-level openings appear across a wider range of industries here than in most other states.
Which California cities have the most principal software engineer jobs?
Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and San Mateo have the most principal software engineer openings in California. The Bay Area dominates because of its concentration of enterprise software and cloud companies, while Los Angeles hiring is driven by media technology, fintech, and aerospace software divisions, and San Diego draws on a strong defense technology and semiconductor employer base that regularly competes for principal-level talent.
Are there remote principal software engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 57% of principal software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how well senior individual-contributor and technical-lead work translates to distributed teams. The portions of the role most likely to stay fully remote are architecture review, design documentation, and async cross-team coordination, while roles that require hands-on incident command or on-site collaboration tend to stay hybrid.
How can I get hired as a principal software engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is landing a senior software engineer role first and building toward principal through demonstrated scope expansion. Large California employers like Apple, Meta, and Netflix run structured leveling processes where engineers who take on cross-team technical ownership and mentorship naturally progress to staff or principal titles. Starting in a named adjacent role such as staff engineer, senior SRE, or platform tech lead at a California-based company or early-stage startup is the most common lateral entry point. A strong public portfolio of system design work accelerates that progression.
Where can I find and apply to principal software engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to principal software engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 422+ Principal Software Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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