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.
Senior Electrical Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$84K - $129K *
Lead the design and analysis of electrical systems for nuclear power plants. Collaborate with engineers and vendors to ensure project success, focusing on reliability and compliance. Engage in trouble...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of AI engineering by leading technical outcomes, architecting production systems, and mentoring teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive innovation and ensure operational excelle...
2 weeks ago
$93K - $125K *
Join a dynamic team as a technical resource, enhancing enterprise applications and infrastructure services. Drive operational excellence, support cross-functional initiatives, and ensure reliable, sec...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager (Patient New Verticals)
$265K - $314K *
Drive innovation in mental healthcare by leading engineering teams to enhance patient referral channels. Collaborate with product managers and health systems to build scalable solutions that transform...
2 days ago
Lead Software Platform Engineer, MLOps
$200K - $270K *
Join a team pioneering AI/ML platform engineering, enhancing scalable infrastructure to empower scientific innovation. Shape the future of distributed systems and MLOps, collaborating across teams to...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$103K - $176K *
Innovate solutions by leading mechanical engineering projects to enhance production processes. Collaborate with stakeholders to design, implement, and optimize equipment and systems, ensuring safety a...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Systems Reliability Engineering
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's redefining retail technology by leading a high-performing engineering group focused on modernizing and automating store platforms for a global audience, ensuring reliability and sca...
Yesterday
Lead Engineer, Order Management
$150K - $186K *
Champion the design and implementation of scalable order management systems, driving technical excellence and collaboration across teams to enhance client trust and operational efficiency in a dynamic...
2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Engineer innovative civil designs for utility-scale solar and battery projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create site layouts, grading, and drainage plans, ensuring compliance and ef...
1 week ago
Lead System Protection Engineer
$126K - $164K *
Empower your career by leading the design and implementation of protective relay systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance system protection across various energy sectors, ensuring complianc...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Distribution
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovation by providing technical leadership on electrical distribution projects. You will oversee design packages, mentor junior engineers, ensure compliance with standards, and deliver reliabl...
Reposted 1 week ago
Lead Software Engineer - Survivable Airborne Operations
$120K - $140K *
Lead the development of secure, automated recovery solutions for mission-critical systems. Collaborate with engineers and partners to transform concepts into working prototypes, ensuring rapid restora...
6 days ago
Software Engineer (PDLC Tooling + Automation)
$100K - $167K *
Drive efficiency at the intersection of product development and customer engagement by building integrations and automations that empower teams with timely, relevant product knowledge and streamline w...
5 days ago
Lead Substation Engineer 1 - Grid
$134K - $205K *
Lead and shape innovative substation engineering projects, guiding teams in protective relaying and controls systems for HV and EHV substations. Collaborate with clients and peers to deliver high-qual...
Today
Principal Engineer, Unity Rewards
$179K - $341K *
Architect and lead the mobile app development for a consumer rewards platform. Create engaging UI/UX, integrate backend systems, and manage virtual economies while mentoring engineering talent and ens...
Reposted 1 week ago
$130K - $160K *
Optimize patient-facing and internal tools by delivering seamless integrations and AI-driven features. Take ownership of end-to-end development in a fast-paced telehealth environment focused on men's...
1 week ago
$131K - $205K *
Shape the future of electric power projects by providing expert development support, technical evaluations, and engineering design reviews. Collaborate with clients to optimize project outcomes while...
2 weeks ago
$163K - $217K *
Lead the charge in establishing global technical standards for utility and power systems. As a strategic authority, you'll guide complex engineering decisions and mentor teams across diverse projects...
5 days ago
$186K - $252K *
Shape the future of AI in cybersecurity by designing and delivering advanced LLM and agentic AI systems. Collaborate across teams to establish best practices, mentor engineers, and translate customer...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Operations Tools & Al Enablement
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance Robotics Operations through innovative software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify needs, deliver impactful improvements, and maintain reliab...
Today
Senior/Staff Full Stack Software Engineer
$180K - $240K *
Build innovative software solutions for federal partners, focusing on full-stack development, user experience, and secure integrations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful app...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive your career with a pivotal role overseeing commissioning for utility-scale PV and BESS projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure seamless execution, optimize processes, and manage techn...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - Substation Protection & Control
$130K - $160K *
Transform your career by leading complex high-voltage protection and control projects, mentoring engineers, and driving technical governance across utilities. Collaborate on innovative solutions that...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Engineer - Substation Protection & Control
$150K - $180K *
Contribute to high voltage substation projects by providing technical governance, mentoring engineers, and solving complex protection and control challenges from design to completion...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Lead Electrical Engineer, Mission Critical
$160K - $230K *
Champion innovative electrical design for mission-critical facilities, leading complex projects and collaborating with diverse teams to ensure resilient systems and high-quality outcomes in hyperscale...
2 days ago
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.