Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania
Principal Software Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania are actively sought across the state's finance, healthcare technology, and defense contracting sectors, with openings ranging from senior-level individual contributors to staff and distinguished engineer tracks. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh lead hiring volume, with Malvern and King of Prussia forming a strong suburban corridor, while employers such as Comcast, Lockheed Martin, and Vanguard maintain consistent principal-level engineering demand. Architecture, cloud platform engineering, and distributed systems design are the most in-demand specializations across Pennsylvania listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 26+ Principal Software Engineer jobs
Software development – 75%
- Design and develop software features based on high level customer and product line management requirements
- Develop new features for existing and future products
- Resolving bugs and other sustaining issues legacy products
- Work with validation and integration engineers optical, hardware and test engineering teams to continuously improve product performance, execution efficiency, and development processes.
- Ensure firmware documentation is accurate and up to date.
Teamwork and Support – 25%
- Coaching junior software engineers. Drive coding reviews and practices across team
- Pre and Post sales customer interactions, provide guidance to Field Application Engineers
- Provide input to documentation team
Education & Experience
- University degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
- 8+ years of experience in embedded software systems
- 5+ years of experience in Optical Networking industry (L0 and/or L1 equipment)
- Familiar with L2/L3 protocols (LLDP, OSPF, BGP etc.)
- Expert in C and C++ programming in embedded systems.
- Experience with software functions for system products, such as North-Bound Interface, Platform infrastructure, BSP and Applications such as Photonic control, alarms, PMs, Service Management.
- Practical experience across the entire Agile development lifecycle, including continuous integration, continuous deployment (CI/CD), and collaboration through DevOps practices.
Skills & Other Requirements
- Experience in Open-Source code, such as SONiC, FRRouting, Open vSwitch etc., will be a plus.
- Familiar with networking protocols (Netconf, Open Config, Yang models etc.) and security protocols
- Experience in optical networking (ROADM, ILA) system level features
- Able to work and deliver on an aggressive schedule.
- Familiar with virtualization and container technologies
- Good written and oral communication skills in English. Experience in cross-site development with global teams. Knowledge of Chinese is an asset.
- Programming languages: C/C++ , Go, Python
- Object-oriented design.
- Embedded Linux multi-process design, multi-thread design
Working Conditions
- This position is onsite at Horsham, PA location
- May require occasional off-site meetings or travel
- Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary
- Interaction with team members and external contacts is a regular part of the job
- May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate the executive’s needs
Physical Requirements
- Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings.
- Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
- Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
- Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
ABOUT US
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
JOB INFO
(On-site)
Software development – 75%
- Design and develop software features based on high level customer and product line management requirements
- Develop new features for existing and future products
- Resolving bugs and other sustaining issues legacy products
- Work with validation and integration engineers optical, hardware and test engineering teams to continuously improve product performance, execution efficiency, and development processes.
- Ensure firmware documentation is accurate and up to date.
Teamwork and Support – 25%
- Coaching junior software engineers. Drive coding reviews and practices across team
- Pre and Post sales customer interactions, provide guidance to Field Application Engineers
- Provide input to documentation team
Education & Experience
- University degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
- 8+ years of experience in embedded software systems
- 5+ years of experience in Optical Networking industry (L0 and/or L1 equipment)
- Familiar with L2/L3 protocols (LLDP, OSPF, BGP etc.)
- Expert in C and C++ programming in embedded systems.
- Experience with software functions for system products, such as North-Bound Interface, Platform infrastructure, BSP and Applications such as Photonic control, alarms, PMs, Service Management.
- Practical experience across the entire Agile development lifecycle, including continuous integration, continuous deployment (CI/CD), and collaboration through DevOps practices.
Skills & Other Requirements
- Experience in Open-Source code, such as SONiC, FRRouting, Open vSwitch etc., will be a plus.
- Familiar with networking protocols (Netconf, Open Config, Yang models etc.) and security protocols
- Experience in optical networking (ROADM, ILA) system level features
- Able to work and deliver on an aggressive schedule.
- Familiar with virtualization and container technologies
- Good written and oral communication skills in English. Experience in cross-site development with global teams. Knowledge of Chinese is an asset.
- Programming languages: C/C++ , Go, Python
- Object-oriented design.
- Embedded Linux multi-process design, multi-thread design
Working Conditions
- This position is onsite at Horsham, PA location
- May require occasional off-site meetings or travel
- Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary
- Interaction with team members and external contacts is a regular part of the job
- May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate the executive’s needs
Physical Requirements
- Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings.
- Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
- Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
- Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
ABOUT US
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
JOB INFO
(On-site)
See All 26 Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Software Engineer Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- PNC Financial Services14
- CVS Health3
- Coherent3
- Comcast1
- Bentley Systems1
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Government & Public Sector
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal software engineer jobs across Pennsylvania.
- 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 leadership role
- Demonstrated ability to define system architecture and drive cross-team technical standards
- Deep proficiency in one or more languages such as Java, Python, Go, or C++ at production scale
- Experience leading design reviews, mentoring senior engineers, and influencing engineering roadmaps
- Strong communication skills with the ability to align engineering decisions to business strategy
Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal software engineer in Pennsylvania?
Principal software engineer is a seniority designation rather than a licensed profession, so Pennsylvania requires no state-issued credential for the role. The typical path involves earning a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or software engineering, then building a career from mid-level through senior engineer positions. Pennsylvania employers generally promote to principal based on demonstrated system design ownership, technical mentorship, and cross-organizational influence rather than a fixed years-of-service rule.
How much do principal software engineers make in Pennsylvania?
Principal software engineers in Pennsylvania earn a median of about $126,550 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,750 for the lowest 10% to over $178,080 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire principal software engineers in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring principal software engineers in Pennsylvania right now include PNC Financial Services, CVS Health, and Coherent, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of financial services firms, large health systems, and defense contractors means principal-level roles here often require deep domain knowledge alongside broad technical leadership skills.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most principal software engineer jobs?
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Horsham have the most principal software engineer openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia drives the largest share through its dense cluster of financial institutions, health systems, and technology campuses, while Pittsburgh's growing robotics and AI research ecosystem anchors demand there, and suburban markets like Malvern and King of Prussia reflect the headquarters presence of major financial technology and defense firms.
Are there remote principal software engineer jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 18% of principal software engineer openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how thoroughly this role is centered on architecture, code review, and collaboration tools rather than on-site hardware or lab work. The most fully remote positions tend to be at product companies and fintechs, while defense and regulated healthcare employers more often require hybrid or on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a principal software engineer in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is building toward the role from a senior software engineer position, not applying to principal roles directly. In Pennsylvania, Comcast Technology Solutions, Vanguard, and major health systems such as Penn Medicine run associate and rotational engineering programs that can accelerate a career trajectory for strong junior engineers. Contributing to open-source projects, earning a cloud architecture certification, and building a portfolio that demonstrates system design thinking gives candidates a visible edge when moving from senior to principal.
Where can I find and apply to principal software engineer jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to principal software engineer jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and location preferences, and apply directly to each employer without creating an account or signing up.
See All 26 Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania
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