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.
Onboarding Engineer Technical Lead
$75K - $90K *
Elevate your career by leading a team of Onboarding Engineers, driving project efficiency, and enhancing processes. Foster collaboration and accountability while ensuring high-quality service delivery...
6 days ago
$90K - $110K *
Transform structural engineering solutions by designing and analyzing systems for mission-critical environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, compliance, and efficiency in...
1 week ago
Senior Structural Engineer - Marine & Waterfront
$107K - $202K *
Unlock your potential by leading complex marine and waterfront engineering projects, guiding teams through design phases, and ensuring technical excellence for public and private sector clients across...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Backend Engineer, Admin Experience
$199K - $235K *
Champion the development of secure backend services and APIs, enhancing user administration capabilities. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliable, high-quality software while mentoring peers and d...
Yesterday
$88K - $163K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team as a Systems Engineer, where you'll drive the development and integration of mission-critical capabilities in an Agile environment, collaborating with multid...
Yesterday
$112K - $187K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Software Engineer, driving innovation in cloud technology. Collaborate across disciplines, mentor peers, and lead impactful projects that enhance our product suite whil...
Yesterday
Software Engineer, Platform Team
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in designing and evolving distributed systems that enhance research and trading workflows, ensuring reliability and scalability across cloud and on-premises environments while collabor...
5 days ago
$88K - $163K *
Develop and maintain integrated system solutions by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to translate customer requirements into mission-critical capabilities, ensuring quality and efficiency th...
Yesterday
Consulting Engineer, Ingestion
$150K - $180K *
Elevate your career by leading technical authority in aerospace engine ingestion, driving design excellence, mentoring future leaders, and engaging with industry experts to shape innovative solutions...
Today
$168K - $210K *
Lead the transformation of our build and deploy systems while enhancing developer efficiency, safety, and software delivery reliability. Collaborate across teams to drive technical innovation and opti...
Reposted 5 days ago
Substation Engineering: Principal Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Unlock your potential as a senior technical leader in utility substation engineering, driving quality standards and innovative solutions for complex projects while mentoring a growing team and collabo...
3 weeks ago
Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - AI & Developer Platform
$115K - $185K *
Lead the charge in transforming developer workflows and API architecture for enterprise AI applications. Collaborate with engineering teams to eliminate friction and enhance the developer experience a...
2 weeks ago
Senior Backend Engineer, Licensing
$199K - $235K *
Elevate your career as you design and maintain backend services that manage customer entitlements and usage workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity and deliver impa...
5 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Drive the design, deployment, and maintenance of cloud infrastructure, enhancing developer experience and operational reliability. Collaborate on CI/CD improvements and lead small-scale projects while...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Help us drive engineering coordination across multiple capital projects, ensuring timely execution and alignment with project priorities. This role requires strong organizational skills and the abilit...
Reposted 1 week ago
$130K - $160K *
Lead the end-to-end customer onboarding process, managing cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery and value realization. Collaborate with customers to provide expert guidance and drive succes...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $225K *
Create innovative data solutions by designing scalable pipelines and AI tools. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data quality and security, driving impactful analytics and machine lea...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering successful large-scale projects. Oversee all phases from planning to execution, ensuring timely completion and budget adherence while fostering strong custom...
1 week ago
Senior Mechanical Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Elevate mechanical engineering projects by managing design and execution from concept to completion. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure quality, compliance, and client satisfaction wh...
1 week ago
$120K - $150K *
Empower our Digital team as a Senior Software Engineer, driving full stack development and modernization initiatives. Collaborate closely to enhance our Digital Banking platform, architecting new APIs...
1 week ago
Staff Front End Software Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's redefining front-end development with innovative AI solutions. Leverage your expertise in a dynamic startup environment, making impactful architectural decisions and enhancing user...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $170K *
Engineer innovative mechanical solutions for DOJ/BOP facilities, providing expert analysis and support for HVAC systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance decision-making through technical docu...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining data engineering by designing and maintaining robust data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable datasets for...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, On-Prem
$205K - $285K *
Transform the on-premises CI/CD landscape by enhancing reliability, simplifying installations, and driving technical strategy. Collaborate with teams to build tools that empower engineers and ensure s...
2 weeks ago
$190K - $220K *
Partner with us to tackle complex engineering challenges, leveraging deep expertise in TypeScript, Postgres, and AWS. Collaborate closely with our VP of Engineering to innovate and deliver impactful p...
Reposted yesterday
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.