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.
$85K - $127K *
Lead the charge in managing all phases of medium to large architectural projects, ensuring quality, budget adherence, and client satisfaction while mentoring teams and maintaining agency relationships...
3 weeks ago
$106K - $164K *
Deliver exceptional project management for healthcare initiatives, guiding all phases from planning to construction. Foster client relationships while overseeing project budgets, schedules, and docume...
3 weeks ago
$141K - $185K *
Lead the charge in transforming Financial Crimes Compliance through innovative AI-powered cloud solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement robust information systems th...
1 week ago
Principal Engineer, Transformation Engineering
$131K - $196K *
Unlock potential by developing AI-driven applications and data pipelines. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency through innovative technical solutions, ensuring quality and scalabil...
Yesterday
Director of Business Development
$105K - $190K *
Transform business opportunities by building relationships and driving initial sales. Leverage existing networks and databases to create qualified leads, nurture prospects, and ensure seamless handoff...
2 days ago
Sr Software Development Engineer
$133K - $212K *
Optimize the performance and reliability of a live-service platform by designing scalable solutions in C#/.Net and Kubernetes, enhancing observability, and improving developer experience for internal...
2 days ago
Software Engineer in Test, Device Software
$150K - $200K *
Drive the development of robust test infrastructure for device software, ensuring reliable product delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance testing workflows and improve software q...
Reposted 1 week ago
$170K - $188K *
Shape the future of cloud-based investment solutions by architecting and implementing scalable, high-performance platform infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation an...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Engineer Team Lead, Simulation Infrastructure
$200K - $275K *
Lead and optimize cloud infrastructure for simulation frameworks, driving team performance and technical strategy. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance validation processes and ensure robust soft...
Reposted 3 days ago
Principal Engineer Team Lead, Simulation Infrastructure
$200K - $275K *
Empower innovation as you lead a high-performing team in designing and optimizing cloud infrastructure for simulation frameworks, enhancing autonomy development and ensuring safe software releases acr...
Reposted 3 days ago
Principal Engineer Team Lead, Simulation Infrastructure
$200K - $275K *
Transform the future of autonomous vehicles by leading a high-performing team to design, optimize, and scale cloud infrastructure for simulation frameworks, ensuring safe software releases and acceler...
Reposted 3 days ago
Principal Engineer Team Lead, Simulation Infrastructure
$200K - $275K *
Lead and mentor a high-performing team to design and optimize cloud infrastructure for simulation frameworks, enhancing autonomy development and ensuring safe software releases across a fleet of robot...
Reposted 3 days ago
$160K - $200K *
Oversee end-to-end Sales Planning and Incentive Compensation engagements, driving customer relationships, operational excellence, and technology transformation while leading global delivery teams and...
2 days ago
Sr Principal Software Development Engineer
$115K - $151K *
Pioneer innovative software solutions for semiconductor test systems, leading architectural direction and technical strategy. Collaborate globally to enhance product capabilities and mentor engineerin...
1 week ago
Sr. Software Engineer (NIN-AE4-30.051925)
$120K - $145K *
Transform the technological landscape by building a new software environment from scratch, leveraging full-stack development expertise and collaboration within a dedicated team to deliver innovative s...
4 weeks ago
Principal Active Defense Engineer
$184K - $277K *
Join our team as a senior technical anchor in Active Defense, where you will set the direction for threat detection, lead large initiatives, and mentor engineers while ensuring the quality and scalabi...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Principal Active Defense Engineer
$184K - $277K *
Join a team that's redefining threat detection by driving innovation and overseeing complex detection initiatives. Collaborate across functions to enhance security and apply cutting-edge technologies...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Director Application, Data & Integration
$159K - $215K *
Take ownership of enterprise application, data, and integration capabilities, driving innovation and efficiency through modern engineering practices and AI-assisted development while leading a multidi...
4 days ago
Director of Project Management
$140K - $170K *
Lead the charge in managing design-build mechanical projects, overseeing planning, budget, and procurement from contract award through closeout. Collaborate with Project Managers and coordinate with c...
3 weeks ago
Director of Project Management
$140K - $170K *
Join a team that's driving successful mechanical projects. As the leader in project management, you'll ensure precise planning, budget control, and client communication from contract award to project...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate and lead a dynamic team in developing AI-assisted testing solutions for a complex IoT platform. Drive quality engineering transformation through automation and collaboration, ensuring high pr...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead U.S. engineering efforts for a cloud-based platform, focusing on production support, team management, and process optimization while collaborating across global teams to enhance incident response...
3 weeks ago
Staff Hardware Technical Program Manager
$201K - $261K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in hardware development. As a key leader, you'll manage the entire product lifecycle, ensuring cross-functional alignment and high-quality delivery of complex sys...
3 weeks ago
Technical Lead and Program Manager
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to lead technical execution and program delivery for critical defense initiatives. Drive multidisciplinary collaboration, manage resources, and ensure quality outcomes while enhanc...
3 days ago
Technical Lead and Program Manager
$110K - $130K *
Drive program delivery and technical execution for critical IT initiatives, ensuring effective management of resources, schedules, and stakeholder communication while enhancing service quality and ope...
5 days 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.