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.
$200K - $230K *
Transform complex data into actionable insights by developing end-to-end solutions. Collaborate in an agile environment to enhance systems and tackle client challenges using cutting-edge technologies...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Data and AI Platform
$130K - $192K *
Drive your career with innovative data solutions that empower users across various roles. Own the analytics journey from question to answer, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in reporting and data disc...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Data and AI Platform
$130K - $192K *
Engineer a cutting-edge data platform that empowers users with accurate analytics, enabling seamless reporting and insights across diverse teams. Drive innovation in AI-assisted query authoring and da...
2 weeks ago
Platform Engineer, APIs and Security
$138K - $165K *
Take ownership of building a robust multi-tenant control plane to enhance our inference infrastructure, focusing on security, auditability, and seamless API integrations for enterprise and sovereign c...
Reposted 1 week ago
$125K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining autonomous defense systems. You'll design, build, and optimize mission-critical applications, ensuring real-time performance and security across the full software stack i...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Proactive Security - Platform
$159K - $235K *
Lead the charge in designing and operating secure access management systems, enabling seamless integration for engineering teams while enhancing operational excellence and security across platforms...
3 days ago
$110K - $160K *
Tackle complex technical challenges as a Senior Software Engineer, leading full-stack development and bioinformatics workflows. Mentor talent, architect robust systems, and integrate AI tools to enhan...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $160K *
Elevate your career by building and owning the infrastructure that drives our software lifecycle. You'll design, implement, and maintain systems that enhance developer velocity and ensure production r...
3 weeks ago
Senior Platform Engineer (FedD239)
$130K - $155K *
Unlock potential by designing and integrating AI agents within secure environments, transforming AI concepts into reliable workflows. Collaborate with teams to operationalize cutting-edge technologies...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Developer Infrastructure
$190K - $400K *
Elevate the developer experience by optimizing delivery processes, enhancing tooling, and driving collaboration within a growing engineering team focused on efficiency and stability while ensuring qua...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Information Systems
$196K - $217K *
Innovate by developing mission-critical internal software to streamline operations. Collaborate with teams to enhance efficiency and automate processes, ensuring seamless integration of core systems w...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform digital services by developing and maintaining secure, user-focused web applications. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance public-facing platforms through modern engineering p...
5 days ago
Software Engineer II, Engineering
$125K - $145K *
Join our team to drive the development and operation of features that enhance educators' capabilities for managing English Learner programs, working full-stack from design through deployment and beyon...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Manager, Developer Infrastructure
$130K - $160K *
Transform your career by leading a high-impact Developer Infrastructure team. Drive technical strategy, enhance developer experience, and foster a culture of growth and accountability while collaborat...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Developer Infrastructure
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's redefining developer infrastructure, leading a high-impact group to enhance software lifecycle efficiency. Drive technical strategy, mentor engineers, and foster a culture of innova...
2 weeks ago
$116K - $174K *
Champion operational excellence by ensuring application reliability through technology updates and migrations. Collaborate with teams to enhance performance and streamline processes, driving innovatio...
6 days ago
Software Engineer II, Engineering
$125K - $145K *
Lead the charge in building impactful software features that enhance educators' management of English Learner programs, taking ownership from design to operation in a full-stack environment utilizing...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Engineer 5 - Member, Commerce & Games Engineering
$388K - $500K+*
Champion innovative solutions by designing and building robust backend systems that enhance our API platform and drive impactful projects across distributed systems, ensuring high-quality delivery and...
4 days ago
$228K - $279K *
Build and operate AI-driven systems and core infrastructure, enhancing platform capabilities for engineering teams. Collaborate on Kubernetes, GitOps, and CI/CD to reduce operational toil and improve...
3 days ago
$228K - $279K *
Lead the charge in designing and operating AI-driven systems that enhance cloud infrastructure, ensuring high availability and scalability while mentoring junior engineers and refining best practices...
3 days ago
$110K - $135K *
Empower your career by developing innovative software solutions that enhance user experiences. Collaborate across teams to design, code, and optimize products that impact students and teachers globall...
3 weeks ago
Staff+ Software Engineer, Observability
$320K - $485K *
Elevate operational excellence by designing scalable observability systems that streamline monitoring and analytics across a complex infrastructure, significantly enhancing incident response for resea...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff+ Software Engineer, Observability
$320K - $485K *
Build and evolve next-generation observability systems to ensure operational excellence. Collaborate across teams to ensure quality telemetry infrastructure that scales effectively with Anthropic's gr...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff+ Software Engineer, Observability
$320K - $485K *
Shape the future of observability systems by designing scalable telemetry solutions, enhancing reliability, and collaborating with teams to streamline operations for complex infrastructures across Ant...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Principal Software Development Engineer, Consumer AI Architect
$191K - $239K *
Elevate consumer experiences by driving AI innovations and technical direction across engineering teams, enhancing high-traffic services for millions. Mentor talent, establish best practices, and deli...
Reposted 3 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.