Chief Software Engineer Jobs

Explore Chief Software Engineer (CSE) opportunities on Ladders, where professionals can find vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more. Chief Software Engineers guide technical strategy, shape software architecture, and lead engineering teams in delivering reliable, secure, and scalable products.

What Does a Chief Software Engineer Do?

A Chief Software Engineer sets engineering direction and helps translate business priorities into technical plans. Depending on the organization, the role may involve designing system architecture, reviewing critical code and technical proposals, mentoring senior engineers, and coordinating with product, security, and operations teams. CSE responsibilities vary by company and may overlap with roles such as chief architect, principal engineer, or engineering executive.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek extensive software development experience, strong system-design and architecture skills, and a record of delivering complex projects. Expertise in relevant programming languages, cloud platforms, distributed systems, cybersecurity, or data infrastructure may be important. Communication, technical judgment, and the ability to influence teams across an organization are also valuable.

Chief Software Engineer Salary and Career Outlook

Compensation depends on factors such as location, industry, company size, scope of responsibility, and experience. Many CSE openings are senior-level opportunities, and Ladders focuses on vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more. Review each listing for salary details, benefits, and the responsibilities associated with the position.

Find Chief Software Engineer Opportunities

Use Ladders to explore Chief Software Engineer jobs and related senior technology roles. Compare job requirements, identify opportunities that fit your technical background and leadership experience, and take the next step in your software engineering career.

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$120K - $145K *

Transform enterprise application security by leading initiatives in vulnerability analysis, policy implementation, and developer enablement. Collaborate with teams to enhance secure coding practices a...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$95K - $125K *

Drive the deployment of healthcare technology across multiple VA facilities, coordinating projects and ensuring readiness. Collaborate with diverse teams to manage timelines, resolve issues, and deliv...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead engineers in delivering high-quality technology. Drive performance, resource planning, and best practices across the SDLC while fostering a culture of collaboration and...

Livonia, MIRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $160K *

Manage cloud infrastructure for high-availability ArcGIS Enterprise systems. Collaborate with federal clients, ensuring top performance across Windows, Linux, and Kubernetes while supporting a distrib...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Engage in technical leadership and project management to develop industry standards and reports. Collaborate with working groups to drive best practices and support continuous improvement initiatives...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the development of scalable cloud applications while mentoring a team of engineers. Drive collaboration across departments and uphold high standards of software quality and security. Contribute t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $238K *

Shape the future of embedded flight software by designing robust solutions for real-time operating systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, document, and maintain critical systems...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Optimize client compliance engagements by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF standards while driving operational excellence and fostering strong rel...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate incident response capabilities by developing dashboards and alerts, optimizing cloud performance, and ensuring security compliance. Collaborate with product teams to enhance IAM needs while dr...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading complex IT task orders, ensuring timely implementation of technical solutions while collaborating with government officials and managing project teams effectively...

Fort Belvoir, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Empower teams by managing project implementations, ensuring quality service handoff, and optimizing system performance through technical oversight and coordinated customer engagement...

London, ONRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of AI engineering by leading technical outcomes, architecting production systems, and mentoring teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive innovation and ensure operational excelle...

Florida, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$85K - $117K *

Play a key role in providing advanced technical support for CNC systems, optimizing performance, and collaborating with teams to enhance automation solutions. Engage with customers and partners to res...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $160K *

Optimize customer service management and AI capabilities by leading ServiceNow implementations, enhancing workflows, and ensuring compliance with governance standards to elevate customer experience an...

South Carolina, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$388K - $500K+*

Drive impactful solutions for one of the largest CDNs by managing and optimizing our Open Connect platform through scalable microservices and data models, while collaborating with multidisciplinary te...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$190K - $225K *

Lead the charge in delivering exceptional services to State and Local Government accounts. Drive strategic initiatives, enhance customer satisfaction, and support business development efforts while ma...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$210K - $225K *

Transform engineering culture by empowering teams to excel, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation. Leverage your technical acumen to lead strategic initiatives and elevate team performance w...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$130K - $160K *

Empower the development of mission-critical applications on the ServiceNow platform, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver scalable solutions while ensuring compliance with federal standards and...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Build your career as a Software Architect, driving Cloud-Native solutions for the Royal Canadian Navy. Collaborate on innovative projects, enhance operational readiness, and develop cutting-edge train...

Ottawa, ONRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Elevate software development by integrating AI-powered coding practices into enterprise solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance productivity, code quality, and testing through innovative AI tools...

Nova Scotia, CARemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Transform product security by leading strategy, conducting threat modeling, and collaborating across teams to ensure secure design and compliance. Drive innovation in security practices while mentorin...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive the design and implementation of a new enterprise platform, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance workflow solutions and establish development standards while mentoring team membe...

Chattanooga, TNRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$155K - $175K *

Empower engineering teams by leading the evolution of cloud, security, and AI operations. Drive platform reliability and DevSecOps practices while mentoring others to foster a collaborative, innovativ...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Transform frontline manager development by leading strategic programs that enhance coaching, deal inspection, and pipeline management. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive consistent team performan...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Champion the evolution of our Degree Progress product by leading a technical team to integrate advanced algorithms, ensuring reliability and scalability while delivering trusted outcomes for students...

San Mateo, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a Chief Software Engineer?question toggle

    A Chief Software Engineer is a senior technical leader who helps set software engineering direction, guides architecture and major technical decisions, and supports teams delivering software systems. The exact scope varies by employer.

  • What qualifications are commonly required for Chief Software Engineer jobs?question toggle

    Requirements often include substantial software engineering experience, expertise in system design and architecture, a history of delivering complex projects, and strong communication and technical leadership skills. Specific requirements depend on the company and role.

  • How much do Chief Software Engineers earn?question toggle

    Compensation varies with location, industry, employer, experience, and role scope. Ladders features vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for salary ranges and benefits.

  • How is a Chief Software Engineer different from a Chief Technology Officer?question toggle

    A Chief Software Engineer typically focuses on software architecture, engineering practices, and technical execution. A Chief Technology Officer often has broader responsibility for an organization's overall technology strategy. Titles and responsibilities vary between organizations.

  • Where can I find Chief Software Engineer jobs?question toggle

    You can explore Chief Software Engineer openings on Ladders, which focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Review listings to find roles aligned with your skills and career goals.