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.
Manager, Software Engineering, Systems Infrastructure - Agentic Testing Platform
$175K - $287K *
Join a team that's advancing an AI-driven testing platform, leading engineers to enhance product quality and infrastructure. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive innovation and operational excellenc...
2 weeks ago
Senior Research and Development Program Manager
$185K - $245K *
Engage in strategic program management to drive innovative R&D initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edge wireless technology solutions in defense and industrial se...
Reposted 1 week ago
$162K - $203K *
Elevate program management excellence by leading a global PMO, driving complex initiatives, establishing governance, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve measurable outcomes and enh...
Reposted today
$162K - $234K *
Shape the future of high-throughput data pipelines and architecture by leading cross-team initiatives to enhance performance, reliability, and security in advanced distributed systems, fostering colla...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Director, Corporate Development
$150K - $180K *
Elevate corporate growth by leading M&A strategies, conducting due diligence, and managing cross-functional teams. Drive financial analysis and relationship building to identify and execute strategic...
1 week ago
$232K - $348K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional client programmes across the Americas. Lead operational excellence, manage stakeholder relationships, and drive strategic initiatives to ensure h...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Data
$144K - $288K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of science by developing high-performance backend systems. Collaborate with engineers and scientists to deliver tools that enable cutting-edge automated scientifi...
Reposted 1 week ago
Application Development Team Management : Job Level - Executive Director
$170K - $200K *
Champion the strategy and delivery of a cloud-native platform ecosystem, enhancing resiliency and operational excellence across critical trading and post-trade platforms while leading application deve...
Today
Director, Corporate Development
$150K - $180K *
Lead strategic M&A initiatives by analyzing opportunities, managing due diligence, and fostering relationships. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive growth and ensure alignment with corpor...
1 week ago
Senior Software Development Engineer
$101K - $203K *
Drive operational excellence by providing technical support and enhancing application performance. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability, implement SRE practices, and contribute to continuous...
Yesterday
Senior Software Development Engineer
$92K - $185K *
Unlock your potential by leading the design and development of innovative cloud-native applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive technical direction and enhance member experiences...
1 week ago
IT - Manager, Application Development (Data Engineering)
$110K - $130K *
Lead and inspire a technical team while driving the architecture and development of scalable application platforms. Collaborate across functional areas to deliver high-value, data-driven solutions tha...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead and manage IT projects, ensuring successful delivery and alignment with organizational goals. Oversee planning, execution, and communication while collaborating across teams to meet project miles...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$112K - $135K *
Champion dynamic IT project management initiatives, guiding cross-functional teams through complex technology transformations and driving accountability for enterprise-delivered solutions...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$145K - $175K *
Tackle a transformative leadership role guiding a global DevOps team to innovate and optimize development processes while fostering collaboration and enhancing operational efficiency across diverse te...
1 month ago
Senior Manager, Software Engineering, Plant Control
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in building scalable Plant Control Software by orchestrating a multidisciplinary team across firmware, application software, and networking, while establishing core engineering princip...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Principal Product Manager, GenAI Distribution Solutions – PA-DSR-Q4-4
$140K - $190K *
Reimagine client interaction as a Product Manager leading AI-driven initiatives. Manage product roadmaps, enhance client relationships, and drive innovation in a dynamic business. Shape strategies tha...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Principal Product Manager, GenAI Distribution Solutions – PA-DSR-Q4-4
$140K - $190K *
Transform the client experience as a Product Manager, leading product roadmap efforts and enhancing alternatives solutions. Collaborate with teams to drive feedback and implement initiatives that alig...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer I, Data Storage
$159K - $215K *
Optimize integration processes to empower teams in utilizing Data and ML systems. Collaborate across functions to build solutions that enhance product capabilities, reduce friction, and provide valuab...
Reposted 1 week ago
$130K - $155K *
Develop cutting-edge realtime rendering solutions, collaborating cross-functionally to enhance 3D applications. Apply your expertise in graphics to optimize performance and drive innovation in softwar...
3 weeks ago
$200K - $230K *
Lead architectural innovation by guiding distributed systems development. Collaborate across teams to drive multi-year technical strategy, improving scalability and reliability while enhancing the gro...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Lead and empower a high-performing DevOps team to drive infrastructure automation, CI/CD excellence, and AI adoption, enhancing operational reliability and scalability across cloud environments while...
2 weeks ago
Director of Growth (Recreation)
$180K - $200K *
Elevate your career by driving growth strategies that enhance lead generation for multiple brands. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize acquisition channels and improve conversion rates...
Today
$120K - $150K *
Champion quality compliance initiatives and drive operational excellence by enhancing inspection readiness, regulatory strategy, and risk management programs. Lead cross-functional teams to ensure dat...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Data Platform
$130K - $155K *
Tackle challenges as you build and maintain critical streaming data infrastructure, enhancing performance and reliability while supporting vast data processing for internal and external users in a dyn...
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.