Explore Lead Engineer Jobs

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.

What Does a Lead Engineer Do?

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.

Qualifications for Lead Engineer Roles

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.

Lead Engineer Salary and Career Outlook

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.

Find Lead Engineer Jobs on Ladders

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.

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$120K - $145K *

Champion the development of innovative observability solutions, leveraging your expertise in Go and network protocols to enhance network automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Engage with construction teams to transform workflows into effective applications. Collaborate on prototypes and solutions, leveraging AI-assisted development to enhance project operations and drive m...

Phoenix, AZRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $95K *

Optimize energy solutions by leading technical projects, conducting site surveys, and collaborating with teams to deliver innovative, cost-effective strategies that enhance facility performance and su...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$103K - $181K *

Unlock your potential by leading innovative rail transit projects, managing complex CBTC systems, and ensuring compliance with industry standards while fostering a culture of continuous improvement an...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$126K - $215K *

Transform AI experiences by architecting LLM-based agents that integrate with real-world tools, orchestrate tasks, and scale in production. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation and ensure high...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Champion the security of our AI supercomputer infrastructure, ensuring robust controls and isolation for customer workloads. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and maintain...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance application security across web apps, APIs, and cloud services. Collaborate with development squads to prioritize vulnerabilities and implement proactive remediation str...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Transform application security practices by enhancing web, API, and cloud service protections. Collaborate with development teams to remediate vulnerabilities and integrate security into CI/CD workflo...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$140K - $160K *

Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team as a Data Engineer, owning end-to-end data systems and driving platform modernization. You'll improve data reliability and work closely with cross-functio...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$123K - $159K *

Partner with us to lead civil engineering efforts for major EPC transmission and substation projects, ensuring technical integrity and compliance while supporting the owner's project team throughout a...

Houston, TXRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by leading electrical engineering projects, ensuring compliance with standards and specifications. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions while mentoring junior engine...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$95K - $115K *

Innovate in a dynamic full-stack development role, enhancing web applications and cloud solutions. Collaborate with teams to modernize systems, integrate APIs, and improve user experiences while lever...

Homestead, PARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead and develop dynamic engineering teams to enhance communication systems that improve health equity outcomes for underserved patients. Drive technical direction, manage shared codebases, and collab...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$193K - $309K *

Lead the charge in delivering impactful GTM solutions by managing a skilled engineering team, overseeing technical operations, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders to drive innovation and qua...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI engineering by leading a dynamic group of engineers and Technical Leads. Drive workforce strategy, enhance team capabilities, and ensure sustainable deliver...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$500K+*

Lead the charge in developing a next-gen AI/ML serving and inference platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect scalable solutions that empower ML practitioners across diverse doma...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$105K - $189K *

Engineer innovative electrical designs, ensuring compliance and safety for mission-critical power and cooling products. Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate systems, manage changes, and execute...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$144K - $195K *

Join a team that's transforming the legal experience by developing innovative web applications. Collaborate with diverse teams, mentor junior engineers, and tackle complex challenges in a dynamic, agi...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$100K - $120K *

Transform the future of automation by leading innovative robotic solutions. Drive design, compliance, and manufacturing processes while mentoring a high-performing team in a dynamic, growth-stage envi...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $170K *

Elevate your career by crafting innovative brand stories that merge creativity and technology. Collaborate with diverse teams to transform concepts into impactful experiences across digital and physic...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $150K *

Unlock your potential as a key resource in power plant consulting, focusing on generator engineering. Collaborate with industry leaders to deliver innovative solutions while enjoying a flexible remote...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$124K - $238K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of spacecraft systems engineering. Leverage your expertise to lead cross-functional teams in developing complex spacecraft designs, ensuring compliance, and drivi...

Palo Alto, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$220K - $270K *

Join a team that's pushing the boundaries of machine learning in autonomous vehicles. Enhance driving capabilities, lead innovative teams, and drive commercial-scale solutions with cutting-edge techno...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$180K - $220K *

Drive the end-to-end ML and LLM lifecycle, optimizing AI workflows and automations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure scalable, reliable production of AI-driven solutions while impleme...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$96K - $115K *

Lead the charge in designing and developing aerospace wire harnesses, ensuring compliance with industry standards while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a Lead Engineer?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    Browse Lead Engineer listings on Ladders, review each role’s compensation and requirements, and highlight relevant technical achievements and leadership experience in your application.