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 Software Engineer, Compute Platform
$165K - $225K *
Champion the development of a GPU-accelerated compute platform, enhancing AI training and research capabilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design orchestration systems that optimize r...
6 days ago
$85K - $100K *
Innovate structural designs for light gauge and cold-formed steel systems, ensuring compliance with California codes. Collaborate across teams to enhance manufacturability and efficiency in modular an...
Reposted today
$125K - $170K *
Lead the charge in optimizing data pipelines and infrastructure, driving enterprise analytics initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to harness vast datasets, enabling strategic business...
Reposted 5 days ago
Principal Engineer - Agentic AI Applications
$168K - $240K *
Join us to define and deploy autonomous AI agents at scale, transforming cutting-edge LLM capabilities into reliable, high-availability products while mentoring a team of engineers and setting industr...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead the charge in developing a cutting-edge AI product, managing a high-performing team of engineers while ensuring quality, reliability, and speed in delivery. Collaborate closely with Product and D...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of electrical engineering by collaborating with design teams, ensuring technical compliance, and enhancing performance across diverse projects. Join us to tackle innovative challenges...
3 days ago
$157K - $300K *
Drive the evolution of scalable data platforms, enhancing reliability and performance across distributed systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust solutions that support Unity...
Reposted 4 days ago
Lead Service Integration Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Transform fragmented IT landscapes as you lead complex service integration projects, improving data flow and visibility across hybrid cloud and on-premise environments. Guide cross-functional teams an...
Reposted yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading structural and finite element analyses of turbomachinery components. Collaborate with engineers to develop methodologies, support design evaluations, and enhance analyti...
2 days ago
$126K - $164K *
Pioneer innovative solar designs for utility-scale projects, leading teams to optimize high-level concepts into actionable plans. Engage with clients and ensure quality standards while contributing to...
1 week ago
Senior Principal Engineering Manager / Head of Engineering
$202K - $318K *
Elevate your career by leading a multi-team engineering organization focused on building a world-class security product. Drive innovation, strategy, and delivery excellence while fostering a high-perf...
5 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Partner Integrations
$199K - $235K *
Unlock potential by designing and maintaining integrations that connect NodeZero with key security platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance reliability and observability, ensuring seamless user ex...
Yesterday
Lead Device Software Engineer, Embedded & Firmware
$155K - $209K *
Drive the future of device software as a hands-on technical lead, overseeing architecture and delivery for a team of firmware engineers. Own critical subsystems, ensuring safety and performance while...
3 weeks ago
Senior Director, Software Engineering
$145K - $190K *
Lead the charge in designing and optimizing scalable data pipelines using Azure, PySpark, and Airflow. Collaborate with teams to ensure data quality and performance while mentoring engineers and drivi...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Optimize runtime authorization strategies across diverse segments, driving technical wins and enabling Sales Engineers. Leverage deep IAM and PAM expertise to deliver impactful solutions, ensuring com...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Champion the architecture of Enterprise AI, guiding a senior remote team in building robust solutions across AI gateways, Kubernetes, and multi-service systems while mentoring engineers and engaging w...
5 days ago
$110K - $150K *
Transform your career by architecting scalable software solutions that empower users globally. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance platform functionality and performance while driving i...
6 days ago
Senior Engineering Project Manager - Connectivity
$120K - $140K *
Transform your career by leading complex design change projects from inception to execution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage substantial budgets, and drive innovation in a fast-paced e...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $188K *
Transform BIM services by leading a skilled team, ensuring technical excellence and operational efficiency while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning to enhance project delivery a...
Yesterday
$131K - $222K *
Shape the future of logistics by developing intelligent planning platforms that optimize freight movement. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable solutions that enhance supply chai...
2 weeks ago
$113K - $254K *
Drive innovation by developing scalable Python services and AI-driven solutions. Collaborate with data science teams to enhance pricing automation and improve operational efficiency in a fully remote...
6 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's driving innovation by leveraging your technical expertise to lead and mentor engineers, enhance product performance, and deliver high-quality, cloud-native solutions across diverse...
Reposted yesterday
Software Engineer, Sustaining Automation
$121K - $142K *
Elevate automation in software engineering by building AI-driven tools and systems. Collaborate with a focused team to enhance reliability and speed in package and image management, shaping the future...
1 week ago
Principal Engineer - Networking
$171K - $268K *
Discover your potential as a Principal Engineer/System Architect, driving innovative networking solutions and leading a collaborative team to define complex architecture while engaging with partners t...
Reposted 1 week ago
Electrical Design Engineer (Intermediate)
$85K - $105K *
Elevate your career by leading electrical design projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with clients. This role offers the chance to enhance your expertise while contributing to impac...
1 week 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.