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.
$125K - $181K *
Drive innovation by leading the design and optimization of scalable data pipelines and platforms. Collaborate with teams to ensure high-quality data solutions while mentoring engineers and guiding com...
Today
Lead Transmission Line Engineer - Grid
$146K - $192K *
Shape the future of transmission design by leading projects, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with engineering standards. Collaborate with clients to deliver high-quality solutions for transmi...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Mechanical Innovation
$130K - $155K *
Engineer innovative mechanical solutions by translating architectural concepts into practical designs. Collaborate across engineering disciplines while leading HVAC standards and ensuring effective ex...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior/Staff Software Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Empower innovation by designing and scaling backend services for an AI platform. Lead initiatives in automation, reliability, and performance while mentoring a talented team to enhance system architec...
2 days ago
$85K - $130K *
Champion innovative control systems for industrial solutions, leading design and development projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure products meet market demands while transitioning designs to manu...
1 week ago
$79K - $107K *
Drive innovative structural designs for solar infrastructure projects, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure compliance with building codes and project specifications while providing e...
4 days ago
$134K - $223K *
Join a team that's dedicated to maximizing enterprise value through strategic consulting and technical expertise. Leverage your Sprinklr knowledge to drive customer success and innovation while foster...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer 4/5 - Data and Feature Infrastructure, AI Platform
$466K - $500K+*
Elevate your career by building a cutting-edge ML data platform that enhances productivity for ML practitioners. Collaborate with experts to create innovative solutions for feature computation and sha...
Reposted 6 days ago
$275K - $325K *
Join a team that's redefining financing products through innovative engineering. Lead complex initiatives, modernize systems, and leverage AI tools to enhance software development while ensuring data...
5 days ago
$136K - $160K *
Elevate operations through AI-driven automation to enhance incident management, streamline ticket resolution, and optimize service health with self-healing observability, all while collaborating acros...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Unlock potential by leading frontend architecture for scalable, high-performance systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance user experiences and drive technical excellence in a dynamic, enterprise-l...
2 weeks ago
Principal Software Engineer - Agentic Engineering Platform
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in transforming software delivery by designing innovative cloud agents and tools that enhance collaboration between AI and teams, streamline workflows, and drive efficiency across prod...
Yesterday
$88K - $105K *
Champion innovative energy solutions by developing Energy Conservation Measures and Facility Improvement Measures. Collaborate with teams to analyze utility consumption, create project timelines, and...
1 week ago
Staff Hardware Engineer, Electrical Distribution System / Harness
$110K - $130K *
Advance the design and implementation of electrical distribution systems for autonomous vehicles, ensuring robust architectures and seamless integration across teams from concept to production...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Firewall Defense
$225K - $265K *
Lead the charge in developing a high-performing engineering team focused on firewall validation and security. Drive collaboration across technical and product teams while fostering an inclusive enviro...
6 days ago
Senior Staff Software Engineer - Builder Platform
$150K - $180K *
Contribute to the technical leadership of a multi-faceted platform, guiding cross-functional teams in architecting and evolving core engineering tools, AI infrastructure, and workflows to enhance prod...
Yesterday
$105K - $115K *
Optimize security measures by leading technical solutions to mitigate information risks. Ensure compliance with corporate policies and oversee incident response, safeguarding all computing platforms a...
4 weeks ago
Senior DevOps Engineer, Infrastructure & Reliability
$135K - $160K *
Lead the charge in optimizing cloud infrastructure and CI/CD processes, ensuring scalable, secure, and resilient systems. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance deployment efficiency and drive...
1 month ago
$265K - $300K *
Shape the future of healthcare technology by leading architectural direction and driving high-impact solutions across teams. Collaborate closely with engineering, product, and design to enhance our AI...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's pioneering the deployment of scalable AI systems, focusing on building robust APIs, optimizing infrastructure, and ensuring reliable operations in a dynamic environment. Drive innov...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to design and deliver innovative software solutions, tackling complex customer challenges across the full engineering lifecycle. Collaborate closely with clients to translate needs...
2 weeks ago
$91K - $161K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of cloud IT by designing secure, scalable systems. Collaborate across the organization to implement innovative solutions and drive operational excellence, leverag...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Product Manager, Applied AI
$153K - $213K *
Drive efficiency by automating internal processes, enhancing productivity across teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, implement AI solutions, and ensure measurable impact on w...
4 weeks ago
Software Engineer - Special Projects and Innovation
$99K - $120K *
Join a team that's redefining innovation in software engineering for critical facilities. You'll design and deliver cutting-edge applications and data solutions, driving projects from concept to deplo...
6 days ago
Senior Manager, Engineering Recruiting
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in engineering recruiting by shaping hiring strategies, developing a high-performing team, and enhancing scalable processes to support growth while personally managing senior leadershi...
2 weeks 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.