Find back-end software engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more on Ladders. These roles focus on the server-side systems that power websites, mobile apps, and digital services—from APIs and databases to cloud infrastructure and distributed applications. Browse opportunities with vetted employers seeking experienced engineers to build reliable, secure, and scalable software.
Back-end engineers design, develop, test, and maintain the services and infrastructure that applications depend on. Their work can include building APIs, modeling and managing data, improving system performance, integrating third-party services, and troubleshooting production issues. They often collaborate with front-end engineers, product managers, designers, security teams, and site reliability engineers to deliver complete products.
Employers commonly seek experience with languages such as Java, Python, Go, C#, JavaScript, or Ruby, along with frameworks and tools suited to their technology stack. Many positions also call for knowledge of SQL or NoSQL databases, API design, cloud platforms, containers, CI/CD, automated testing, system design, and secure coding practices. The right mix varies by company, product, and level of responsibility.
Back-end software engineers can grow into senior, staff, or principal engineering roles, or move toward technical leadership and architecture. Some specialize in areas such as distributed systems, data infrastructure, cloud engineering, developer platforms, or application security. Job titles and expectations differ between employers, so review each listing for scope, required experience, and opportunities for growth.
Use Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare role responsibilities, technologies, experience requirements, and compensation details to identify positions that match your skills and career goals. New listings and employer needs vary, so check back regularly for current opportunities.
Staff Software Engineer, Public Sector
$227K - $326K *
Lead the charge in developing agentic capabilities that enable real-time decision-making across multiple domains by orchestrating feature implementation and mentoring engineers for optimal system perf...
Reposted 3 days ago
Staff Software Engineer, Public Sector
$188K - $272K *
Transform the future of federal technology by leading software engineering efforts that develop advanced systems for real-time decision-making and agentic capabilities across multiple domains, while m...
Reposted 3 days ago
$130K - $155K *
Champion innovative data solutions by building reusable platform capabilities that empower quantitative researchers to efficiently access and utilize data across diverse landscapes, enhancing prototyp...
Today
Full Stack Software Engineer, Financial Systems
$110K - $130K *
Drive the development and optimization of full stack applications, enhancing financial systems through robust data engineering, application support, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to en...
3 weeks ago
Full Stack Software Engineer, Financial Systems
$110K - $130K *
Innovate financial systems by designing and developing full stack applications, enhancing data workflows, and ensuring reliability across finance operations. Collaborate with teams to deliver scalable...
3 weeks ago
Full Stack Software Engineer, Financial Systems
$110K - $130K *
Champion the development of robust full stack applications, enhancing financial systems through data engineering, application support, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure accuracy...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Lead the design and implementation of innovative compliance solutions, driving technical excellence and collaboration across teams while mentoring engineers and shaping best practices in a dynamic env...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Frontend
$160K - $250K *
Optimize user interfaces for core platforms by leveraging modern web technologies. Collaborate with designers and product teams to deliver high-performance applications while ensuring a seamless user...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - Frontend
$160K - $250K *
Champion the development of innovative user interfaces by leveraging your expertise in frontend technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance applications while mai...
6 days ago
Senior Frontend Engineer, Video UI
$170K - $200K *
Champion the development of the Signals video UI, leading a two-person frontend team to establish standards and codebase for a seamless customer experience as we transition from a vendor...
4 weeks ago
Principal Software Engineer- Onsite
$130K - $155K *
Champion innovation by providing technical leadership for large-scale software systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive architectural excellence and solve complex engineering challeng...
4 days ago
Senior Software Engineer (Frontend)
$176K - $183K *
Transform the software landscape by designing and implementing innovative features, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving best practices in web development to enhance user experiences...
2 weeks ago
$98K - $176K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of product design by developing robust collaborative editing tools. Leverage your engineering expertise to enhance user experience and integrate systems, driving...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $105K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative cloud-based SaaS solutions by designing and developing scalable applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance AI-driven software delivery an...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Principal Full-Stack Developer - Platform & Infrastructure
$150K - $180K *
Drive the technical direction for shared services, enhancing reliability and performance. Lead complex projects, mentor engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape roadmaps and imp...
2 weeks ago
Principal Full-Stack Developer - Platform & Infrastructure
$120K - $145K *
Drive the design and delivery of scalable shared services, enhancing developer productivity and software reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to set technical direction and mentor engi...
2 weeks ago
Principal Full-Stack Developer - Platform & Infrastructure
$120K - $140K *
Help us drive the technical direction of shared services, enhancing reliability and performance. Lead complex projects, mentor engineers, and collaborate across teams to improve tooling and delivery p...
2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Public Sector
$252K - $362K *
Deliver scalable software solutions by orchestrating feature implementation, mentoring engineers, and defining technical strategies for complex systems in federal environments. Engage with stakeholder...
Reposted 3 days ago
Staff Full-Stack Software Engineer
$150K - $250K *
Unlock potential by leading full-stack development for innovative factory applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust software solutions that enhance production efficiency...
1 week ago
Senior Program Operations Engineer
$133K - $189K *
Lead strategic planning and operations initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to align program goals with company objectives, ensuring successful scaling and execution of business plan...
2 weeks ago
$145K - $175K *
Elevate software solutions by leveraging 20 years of experience in complex programs. Engage directly with customers through product demos and scrum meetings, ensuring project alignment and progress tr...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Drive innovation as a Principal Software Engineer, collaborating with teams to deliver high-quality solutions. Engage directly with customers through product demos and scrum meetings, ensuring project...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer Staff
$134K - $200K *
Shape the future of developer experience by designing and operating self-service systems that enhance productivity and reduce toil. Collaborate across teams to implement AI-driven SDLC models, ensurin...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer Staff
$121K - $181K *
Innovate solutions that enhance the Developer Platform, streamlining tooling and automation for engineers. As a Software Engineer, you'll design self-service systems and implement AI-driven SDLC model...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer Staff
$134K - $200K *
Drive innovation by designing self-service systems that enhance developer productivity and streamline AI-driven software development processes, ensuring quality and compliance across engineering teams...
2 weeks ago
What does a back-end software engineer do?
A back-end software engineer builds and maintains the server-side services behind digital products, including APIs, databases, business logic, and integrations. They also help ensure systems are reliable, secure, and able to scale.
What skills are commonly required for back-end software engineer jobs?
Requirements vary, but often include proficiency in one or more programming languages, database experience, API development, testing, system design, and familiarity with cloud platforms or distributed systems. Check each job listing for its specific stack and qualifications.
What is the difference between a back-end and a front-end software engineer?
Back-end engineers typically work on server-side logic, data, and services, while front-end engineers build the user-facing parts of websites and applications. The two roles collaborate to deliver a complete product.
Do back-end software engineer jobs on Ladders pay $100,000 or more?
Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Compensation and eligibility details vary by listing, so review the individual job posting for current information.
What career paths are available for back-end software engineers?
Experienced engineers may advance to senior, staff, or principal roles, pursue technical leadership or architecture, or specialize in fields such as cloud platforms, distributed systems, data infrastructure, or security.