Lead Engineers guide technical teams, shape engineering decisions, and help turn complex requirements into reliable products and systems. Browse vetted Lead Engineer opportunities on Ladders, including roles paying $100,000 or more across software, hardware, infrastructure, and other engineering disciplines.
A Lead Engineer combines deep technical expertise with team leadership. Responsibilities may include designing system architectures, reviewing code or technical work, setting engineering standards, mentoring team members, coordinating delivery, and partnering with product, design, and business stakeholders. The exact scope varies by company and specialty.
Employers commonly seek substantial experience in a relevant engineering discipline, a record of delivering complex projects, and strong problem-solving and communication skills. Many roles require expertise in specific programming languages, platforms, tools, or engineering methods. People leadership may be part of the job, though some Lead Engineers lead through technical direction rather than direct management.
Compensation depends on industry, location, specialization, company size, and the role’s scope. Lead Engineer positions can offer competitive salaries, bonuses, and benefits, with many opportunities on Ladders paying $100,000 or more. Experienced professionals may progress into Staff or Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, Director of Engineering, or other technical leadership roles.
Search Lead Engineer openings to find roles aligned with your skills, experience, and career goals. Review job requirements and responsibilities, then tailor your résumé to highlight technical impact, project leadership, and measurable outcomes. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying at least $100,000.
$180K - $200K *
Lead complex technical initiatives, ensuring scalable, secure solutions while mentoring engineers and driving high standards across the software development lifecycle in a remote, collaborative enviro...
2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Transform the engineering landscape by owning architecture, deployment, and incident management. Collaborate with teams to prioritize features, enhance payment systems, and integrate AI, all while ens...
Yesterday
$145K - $185K *
Lead and inspire engineering teams to deliver high-quality digital products, ensuring alignment with business priorities while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement in a dyna...
1 week ago
Senior Manager, Software Engineering
$225K - $265K *
Partner with us to lead a high-performing engineering team, driving innovation and efficiency in our travel marketplace. You'll manage project lifecycles, enhance collaboration, and champion a custome...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's transforming established businesses by leading software engineering efforts. Drive modernization, coach teams, and implement innovative solutions while delivering high-quality softw...
6 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Take ownership of software engineering initiatives within established companies. Lead teams, modernize development processes, and enhance code quality while delivering impactful software solutions. Co...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend
$135K - $187K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on crafting scalable software solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to design impactful APIs and lead innovations that drive efficiency and elevate cus...
Reposted 3 days ago
Lead Engineer - Customer Application Engineering
$100K - $120K *
Support commercial engineering efforts by generating proposals, process designs, and managing project tasks. Collaborate with sales teams and vendors to enhance project success across various water tr...
1 week ago
$150K - $220K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic security team to enhance cloud and application security, ensuring compliance and fostering a secure culture across all functions while leveraging cutting-edge tec...
Today
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining CRM platforms by architecting innovative, AI-driven solutions. This high-impact role requires visionary leadership to optimize data processing and enhance user experience...
1 week ago
$137K - $231K *
Empower your career by shaping design systems that enhance user experience. Collaborate with teams to build high-quality, interactive UI across platforms, ensuring accessibility and performance while...
3 weeks ago
$151K - $195K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of design engineering by developing innovative systems that enhance user experience across web and mobile platforms. Your expertise will drive quality and perform...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Agentic AI
$150K - $180K *
Empower innovation by architecting next-gen AI-driven CRM solutions. Lead a dynamic team to optimize data processing, enhance automation, and deliver exceptional user experiences while driving market...
5 days ago
Software Engineer (Technical Leadership) - Central Growth
$175K - $210K *
Innovate and lead the technical vision for large-scale product systems, driving cross-functional initiatives and engineering excellence while mentoring teams to enhance growth and impact across multip...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Engineering Core Services
$208K - $244K *
Accelerate progress at a leading multi-product company by owning the architecture of shared services. Drive innovation in customer identity, commerce, and billing platforms while mentoring senior engi...
1 week ago
$225K - $265K *
Lead and mentor a diverse team of backend engineers in EDR remediation, transforming insights into actionable product capabilities while managing scope and fostering collaboration across engineering t...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead a dynamic engineering pod, ensuring high-quality code delivery while fostering team growth and collaboration. Stay hands-on with development, manage performance, and drive innovation in a fast-pa...
1 week ago
$160K - $187K *
Grow your career with a hands-on Engineering Manager role leading a dynamic team to enhance an AI-powered healthcare hiring platform, ensuring quality, reliability, and innovation across multiple tech...
1 week ago
$103K - $138K *
Lead the charge in deploying and managing complex network installations, ensuring quality control and effective project execution while collaborating with internal teams and subcontractors to meet ope...
2 weeks ago
$103K - $138K *
Engineer and oversee site implementations, ensuring quality control and effective project management for network installations. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot and maintain operational standard...
2 weeks ago
$103K - $138K *
Lead the charge in ensuring quality assurance for Field Engineering projects, acting as the key liaison among internal teams and customers. Oversee inspections, audits, and corrective actions to meet...
1 week ago
$120K - $144K *
Lead the charge in designing and implementing advanced building automation systems for critical infrastructure projects, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance while managing teams and...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager, Platform
$150K - $180K *
Lead and grow a high-performing platform engineering team, setting vision and roadmap while collaborating with cross-functional leaders to enhance product velocity and reliability for enterprise custo...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in the AEC industry. As a key member of our VDC group, you'll support design-build projects through advanced BIM technologies, ensuring efficiency and collaborati...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Java Backend
$120K - $170K *
Lead engineering efforts by writing production code and mentoring a team. Drive modernization initiatives through Java microservices while managing performance and growth of engineers. Collaborate wit...
Reposted today
What is a Lead Engineer?
A Lead Engineer is an experienced technical professional who guides engineering work, helps make design and implementation decisions, and often mentors or coordinates a team. The role may or may not include direct reports.
What does a Lead Engineer do?
Common duties include defining technical approaches, designing systems, reviewing engineering work, resolving complex problems, mentoring colleagues, and coordinating with other teams to deliver projects.
What qualifications do Lead Engineer jobs require?
Requirements vary by specialty, but employers often look for significant relevant engineering experience, strong technical skills, a history of successful project delivery, and effective communication. Some positions also require people-management experience.
How much do Lead Engineers earn?
Pay varies by location, industry, specialization, and seniority. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including Lead Engineer opportunities.
What is the difference between a Lead Engineer and an Engineering Manager?
A Lead Engineer typically focuses on technical direction and engineering execution, while an Engineering Manager often emphasizes team operations, staffing, and performance. In some organizations, responsibilities overlap.
How can I find Lead Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Browse Lead Engineer listings on Ladders, review each role’s compensation and requirements, and highlight relevant technical achievements and leadership experience in your application.