Director of Software Development Jobs

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.

What Does a Director of Software Development Do?

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.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Career Outlook and Opportunities

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.

Find Director of Software Development Jobs on Ladders

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.

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$115K - $140K *

Engage as an experienced implementation leader managing complex client onboarding and execution of digital banking solutions. Collaborate across teams to drive project success, enhance operational eff...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$198K - $330K *

Lead a dynamic team to shape technology portfolio management, ensuring strategic alignment and delivery excellence across product and engineering initiatives while fostering collaboration and accounta...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$122K - $218K *

Transform R&D Enablement by defining strategies and creating scalable learning products that enhance team capabilities, drive performance, and leverage emerging technologies to support technical teams...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$143K - $241K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable data solutions, optimize performance, and enhance software architecture while adhering to coding standards and leveraging AI to...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$151K - $251K *

Drive the planning and execution of Flight Software development programs, ensuring seamless coordination between engineering and program management for timely delivery of spacecraft software systems...

Palo Alto, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Take ownership of the software development lifecycle, designing and implementing innovative solutions that enhance global health and environmental outcomes while collaborating with cross-functional te...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$192K - $252K *

Unlock your potential by leading global technical support engineering, driving customer issue resolution, and enhancing service delivery across product lifecycles while collaborating with cross-functi...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $140K *

Optimize web application development by leading design and implementation using .NET Core, ASP.NET, and Angular. Collaborate with teams, mentor junior developers, and ensure code quality while leverag...

CanadaRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $118K *

Elevate the quality of software by designing automated testing frameworks and integrating AI tools for enhanced efficiency and accuracy. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure smooth delivery of hig...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $195K *

Transform gated community access and security through innovative product management. Lead the roadmap, collaborate with teams, and leverage AI to enhance user experiences while driving measurable busi...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$220K - $260K *

Join a team that's redefining engineering leadership by leveraging AI to enhance productivity and streamline processes. Drive hands-on technical initiatives while managing a lean, high-output team foc...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$250K - $280K *

Drive innovation by designing and delivering advanced AI agents that leverage high-cardinality observability data. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance Canvas capabilities, ensuring agents perfo...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$176K - $243K *

Empower innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI/ML systems. Drive architectural decisions, optimize model development, and enhance system reliability while collaborating with cross-functio...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$183K - $206K *

Partner with us to innovate agent engineering, crafting unique observability solutions using high-cardinality data. Lead projects from prototype to production while enhancing Canvas capabilities for i...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $193K *

Engineer and enhance observability platforms to deliver actionable insights into user experience. Lead cross-functional teams to optimize performance, reliability, and automation across diverse techno...

Eden Prairie, MNRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Innovate with us as a Senior Software Engineer, driving core feature development and automation across the stack. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance scalability and performance in a dynamic, mi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $200K *

Tackle new business growth by leveraging your expertise in enterprise sales. Engage C-suite executives, build strategic relationships, and drive transformative consulting solutions to expand market pr...

Seattle, WARemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$152K - $283K *

Lead the development of high-quality, compliant data engineering practices that enhance enterprise data governance and accelerate data-driven decision-making for improved patient outcomes across the o...

East Hanover, NJRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$149K - $223K *

Drive the delivery of a strategic technology transformation initiative, overseeing complex modernization programs to enhance efficiency and customer experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Accelerate your career by leading market growth strategies, driving revenue, and building high-performing sales teams. Leverage market insights and analytics to identify opportunities and execute acti...

Cleveland, OHRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Innovate a high-performance AI training platform, enhancing ML workflows for autonomous vehicles. Collaborate across teams to optimize model development, ensuring reliability and scalability while pro...

Pittsburgh, PARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $145K *

Shape the future of payroll and integrations by leading product vision and strategy across Canada and the US. Collaborate with a talented team to ensure accuracy and compliance while driving impactful...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate the payroll and integrations product vision, driving initiatives across Canada and the US. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accuracy and compliance while enhancing customer ex...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Transform payroll and integrations by leading product vision across Canada and the US. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accuracy and compliance while driving innovative solutions that...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $170K *

Champion innovative solutions by designing and implementing core platform features, driving the transition to microservices, and collaborating across teams to enhance scalability and flexibility in Io...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Software Development do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    Potential next steps include vice president of engineering, senior technology leadership, or chief technology officer roles, depending on experience and organizational structure.