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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$105K - $160K *

Unlock potential by driving growth in industrial software and PLC solutions. Shape market strategies, build customer relationships, and collaborate with sales teams to enhance market penetration and a...

Round Rock, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$92K - $154K *

Oversee the coordination of network infrastructure deployment for new Data Center builds, ensuring alignment across teams and tracking milestones from cable start to Production Ready. Drive accountabi...

Colorado, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Grow your career with a dynamic role focused on coding, cloud resources, and database support. Lead automation projects, solve unique challenges daily, and collaborate with teams to deliver practical...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $144K *

Join our team to manage z/OS systems, ensuring efficient installation and maintenance while delivering critical support to government clients. This role demands strong technical expertise and the abil...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$157K - $238K *

Join a dynamic team to leverage AI in enhancing application security. You'll assess vulnerabilities, implement fixes, and shape AI security strategies, driving innovation in a fast-paced environment w...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advanced security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing security posture through hands-on penetration testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Mentor...

California, USRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Execute comprehensive program management for a critical Air Force contract, leading a diverse team to ensure compliance, quality, and performance across multiple global operations while maintaining 24...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $150K *

Manage and oversee all aspects of federal construction projects, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget. Collaborate with teams, supervise subcontractors, and maintain client relationships...

Alexandria, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $190K *

Lead and design data solutions to drive healthcare insights, working with a team of engineers to build and maintain robust data pipelines, ensuring high reliability and performance for critical busine...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$125K - $150K *

Drive software engineering initiatives by leading teams to deliver innovative digital solutions. Define technology strategy, oversee development processes, and foster a culture of excellence and colla...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $150K *

Lead the vision and strategy for content development, ensuring quality and usability. Collaborate with stakeholders to align priorities, streamline processes, and enhance the user experience across co...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $110K *

Shape the future of product quality by designing automated tests and performance evaluations, ensuring reliability and scalability in complex systems. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $200K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative financial technology solutions, enhancing applications through full stack development. Collaborate across teams, mentor peers, and drive improvements in scalab...

Arizona, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$95K - $115K *

Elevate the efficiency of premium billing and payment systems by enhancing applications critical to financial operations. Collaborate in a dynamic team, utilizing both legacy and modern technologies t...

Chattanooga, TNRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing Microsoft-based systems, providing advanced technical support, and enhancing IT infrastructure. Collaborate with experts to resolve complex issues and drive...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$75K - $90K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive integrated AV system projects, ensuring effective communication and support between business units and development teams while managing on-site testing...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$144K - $288K *

Lead the development and optimization of innovative, AI-driven digital solutions across cloud platforms, guiding teams in delivering scalable, secure applications that enhance healthcare experiences t...

Buffalo Grove, ILRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$184K - $356K *

Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, collaborating with research and product teams to transform innovative ideas into production-ready services that enhance AI tooling...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$170K - $190K *

Join us to support strategic customer accounts by providing technical and operational expertise. Collaborate with teams to enhance security operations, optimize workflows, and ensure customer trust in...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $190K *

Drive innovative detection solutions in a high-security environment, collaborating across teams to enhance security posture and engineering excellence while tackling emerging cyber threats with precis...

Denver, CORemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$95K - $110K *

Transform project delivery by leading Virtual Design and Construction efforts. Collaborate with teams to implement innovative digital practices, ensuring seamless integration from design to constructi...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$140K - $160K *

Shape the future of software development by designing and implementing scalable applications while integrating advanced AI solutions and enhancing system architectures to meet enterprise needs and ens...

Virginia, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Champion compliance and security excellence by driving NIST 800-53 and FedRAMP initiatives. Partner with clients to ensure federal authorization, author vital documents, and manage multiple A&A projec...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $189K *

Transform your career by leading product development for FedRAMP Moderate applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive compliance, optimize the roadmap, and enhance customer value in...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $208K *

Join us to lead complex technical challenges as a Staff Software Developer! You'll drive high-impact outcomes through collaborative coding, mentoring, and innovative problem-solving using AI-enabled t...

CanadaRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.