Principal in tech hiring is a seniority - it is the highest level of IC seniority. There can be more than one. Maybe they need someone sufficiently senior to t

Principal in tech hiring is a seniority - it is the highest level of IC seniority. There can be more than one. Maybe they need someone sufficiently senior to take over parts of the project. Maybe they can not afford to / are unwilling to compensate for the role - FAANG still out-pays most other companies. Maybe they've lost a couple of senior hires - finding the right fit is difficult.