Explore Director of Software Development opportunities on Ladders, where professionals can find vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more. These senior technology leaders guide software engineering teams, shape development strategy, and deliver reliable products and platforms aligned with business goals.
Directors of Software Development oversee the people, processes, and technical plans behind software delivery. They partner with executives, product leaders, and engineering teams to set priorities, manage resources, improve development practices, and ensure projects meet requirements for quality, security, and performance. Depending on the organization, the role may include managing multiple teams, platforms, or product areas.
Employers commonly seek a strong background in software engineering and experience leading engineering managers or large development teams. Valuable strengths include technical judgment, strategic planning, budgeting, talent development, cross-functional communication, and familiarity with modern development methods, cloud platforms, architecture, and software delivery practices. Requirements vary by company, industry, and scope of responsibility.
Director-level software development roles are available across technology companies and in sectors such as finance, healthcare, retail, and professional services. The position can lead to broader technology leadership, including vice president of engineering, chief technology officer, or other executive roles. Browse current listings to compare responsibilities, industries, and compensation.
Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Search Director of Software Development jobs to discover leadership positions that match your experience, preferred industry, and career goals.
Technical Program Manager, Network
$180K - $230K *
Lead complex, multi-workstream technology programs, ensuring alignment across teams and delivering customer outcomes through strategic planning, execution, and governance. Drive program success by man...
3 days ago
$236K - $300K *
Unlock potential by leading the evolution of our design system, transforming it into a dynamic foundation for AI-powered workflows. Collaborate across design and engineering to create seamless, high-q...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Design Manager, Strategy Collection
$183K - $289K *
Lead design for an innovative AI-native Strategic Portfolio Management suite. Collaborate with product and engineering leaders to establish design vision and manage a growing team of designers while a...
Reposted 6 days ago
$85K - $117K *
Champion software quality by analyzing healthcare data, developing test cases, and executing both manual and automated tests. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with clinical...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock your potential as a Technical Project Manager, driving software delivery timelines and ensuring seamless project execution with engineering and product teams. Foster strong stakeholder relation...
Today
$130K - $219K *
Engage with customers to identify key challenges and drive product innovation. Collaborate across hardware, software, and AI teams to deliver impactful solutions that enhance physical operations and g...
Today
ServiceNow Developer - SPM (390)
$110K - $130K *
Lead the design and development of ServiceNow solutions to enhance portfolio management capabilities, aligning them with federal standards while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive effi...
4 weeks ago
$216K - $318K *
Champion the evolution of AI Platforms, leading a dynamic team to enhance AI integration and productivity. Drive strategic initiatives that empower engineers and elevate member experiences through inn...
1 week ago
Lead Director - Digital Engineering
$144K - $288K *
Lead the charge in transforming customer identity platforms, driving modernization and operational excellence while overseeing a multi-team engineering organization to enhance security and customer en...
Today
$100K - $120K *
Pioneer innovative eDiscovery solutions by managing complex projects, collaborating with legal teams, and mentoring staff. Ensure quality deliverables while exceeding client expectations through exper...
1 week ago
Lead Software Development Engineer in Test
$165K - $185K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of test automation, driving quality and performance through innovative strategies and frameworks. Collaborate within an agile team to enhance product scalability a...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Director, Engineering, Precision Defense
$270K - $365K *
Lead a dynamic engineering organization to transform offensive capabilities into proactive defense. Shape strategy, scale teams, and deliver innovative solutions across multiple pillars, ensuring robu...
Today
Sr. Manager, Enterprise Cyber Defense
$181K - $301K *
Transform your career by leading a global cyber defense team, driving proactive strategies to mitigate risks and enhance security across diverse environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams t...
Reposted 1 week ago
Staff Hardware Engineer, Electrical Distribution System / Harness
$110K - $130K *
Advance the design and implementation of electrical distribution systems for autonomous vehicles, ensuring robust architectures and seamless integration across teams from concept to production...
1 week ago
Senior Director, Platform Product
$190K - $225K *
Lead the charge in shaping the product vision and strategy for a transformative platform. Drive cross-functional collaboration, align stakeholder priorities, and manage external partnerships to delive...
4 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Servicing & Fulfillment
$166K - $193K *
Lead and mentor a team of engineers while overseeing technical excellence and driving AI innovation in operational systems. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver impactful features for post-purcha...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - SS&C EVOLV
$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...
Reposted 1 week ago
Head of Software Systems & Business Enablement
$180K - $220K *
Join us to lead the strategic management and optimization of software systems across a global organization, ensuring reliability, innovation, and efficiency while fostering strong partnerships between...
1 week ago
Software Development Test Engineer (SDET), IOS
$110K - $130K *
Inspire your career by joining a dynamic team focused on mobile automation, designing frameworks and enhancing test coverage for iOS and Android apps. Collaborate closely with engineering and product...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Program Dev/QC
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by managing diverse EV projects, ensuring successful delivery through collaboration, strategic planning, and effective stakeholder engagement. Drive project excellence while naviga...
2 weeks ago
Senior Director, Dedicated Infrastructure & Platforms
$279K - $349K *
Drive the strategy and execution of dedicated infrastructure engineering, leading a high-performing team to enhance enterprise SaaS offerings, ensure compliance, and deliver exceptional customer exper...
Yesterday
Director of Product Management and IT Operations
$130K - $160K *
Transform the future of employee benefits by leading product management and IT operations. Drive strategic initiatives, oversee product development, and ensure compliance while collaborating with dive...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of AI integration by leading complex projects, bridging technical teams and leadership. Drive Agile methodologies, manage risks, and ensure timely deliverables in a dynamic environmen...
2 days ago
Senior Business Development Manager
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's driving growth by sourcing and closing new business while nurturing existing accounts. You'll be the trusted operator ensuring client satisfaction and pipeline predictability, colla...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Optimize software solutions by developing, modifying, and testing applications, ensuring customer requirements are met while enhancing system efficiency and integrity through troubleshooting and user...
4 weeks ago
What does a Director of Software Development do?
A Director of Software Development leads software engineering teams and delivery, sets development priorities, allocates resources, and works with business and product leaders to deliver secure, reliable software.
What qualifications are commonly required for Director of Software Development jobs?
Employers typically look for substantial software engineering experience, a record of leading teams, and strengths in strategy, communication, planning, and delivery. Specific technical and education requirements vary by employer.
How much do Director of Software Development jobs pay?
Compensation varies based on factors such as employer, location, industry, and role scope. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; review each listing for its compensation details.
Where can a Director of Software Development work?
These leaders work across technology companies and many other industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, and professional services.
What roles can follow a Director of Software Development position?
Potential next steps include vice president of engineering, senior technology leadership, or chief technology officer roles, depending on experience and organizational structure.