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.
Software Engineer II, Core Edge Processing
$92K - $116K *
Empower progress at the core of payment processing by developing and deploying production code. Collaborate with senior engineers to enhance transaction routing systems and gain hands-on experience in...
4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineering Manager
$150K - $180K *
Engage in leading a diverse technical team to drive innovative engineering solutions, ensuring alignment with business objectives while fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and t...
2 weeks ago
$70K - $117K *
Lead innovative structural engineering solutions for marine vessels, ensuring integrity and compliance with maritime standards. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational safety and performance in...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive CQV excellence for capital projects in a GMP-regulated environment, ensuring compliance and timely execution. Lead teams through commissioning, qualification, and operational handover of critica...
Today
Electrical/Solar Engineer- June 2027
$77K - $93K *
Join us to design and generate construction documents for commercial and industrial solar PV systems, ensuring technical accuracy and detailed specifications while collaborating with clients and stake...
Yesterday
Horizontal Engineer - Structural / Bridge
$100K - $130K *
Drive the design and analysis of transportation structures, ensuring compliance with AASHTO standards while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on projects across Colorado and Arizona...
4 weeks ago
Lead QA Engineer, Enterprise Platform
$120K - $145K *
Pioneer the development of secure platform capabilities for enterprise clients, collaborating across teams to define product scope, manage complex requirements, and ensure successful delivery in highl...
2 weeks ago
Staff Engineer - Connectors Power BU
$120K - $145K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of power connector innovation, leading product development initiatives while driving cross-functional collaboration and mentoring engineering talent to deliver hig...
2 weeks ago
$115K - $145K *
Elevate your career by designing and optimizing data pipelines that empower analytics and AI solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity and governance while mentoring...
2 days ago
Engagement Manager - LE Diversified Industries
$116K - $207K *
Lead and manage mid to large Workday deployments, resolving complex issues while enhancing methodologies. Guide teams, ensure project success, and support executive expectations through effective comm...
1 month ago
$110K - $130K *
Optimize enterprise monitoring solutions by administering Dynatrace, enhancing application performance, and ensuring operational observability across diverse environments. Collaborate with teams to im...
1 week ago
Lead Electrical Specialist 1 - Construction Management
$118K - $180K *
Shape the future of power generation by overseeing electrical systems' performance, reliability, and safety. Collaborate with teams to manage maintenance, troubleshooting, and improvements across dive...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer II- ECM Specialization
$56K - $114K *
Drive the development and support of innovative ECM solutions in an Agile environment, focusing on workflow automation and integration with enterprise applications. Collaborate with cross-functional t...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Machine Learning
$161K - $232K *
Lead the development of robust machine learning models that enhance member care, transforming complex clinical questions into actionable insights while ensuring model integrity and scalability in a co...
Today
Manager, Customer Success Engineering
$124K - $210K *
Drive customer success by leading a team of engineers to enhance GitLab adoption, develop scalable enablement programs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve measurable business outco...
2 weeks ago
Integrations Engineer, AI Services
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by designing and delivering scalable AI-powered integrations for nonprofits. Collaborate closely with clients to understand their needs, build solutions, and productize offerings that...
2 days ago
Senior/Principal Software Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Develop and optimize high-performance software systems using Rust, focusing on Linux environments and distributed applications. Collaborate on architecture and enhance software quality through modern...
1 week ago
Director, Distribution Strategy
$172K - $203K *
Empower the distribution strategy by designing and managing rate content across channels, ensuring accurate delivery and partner trust. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build scalable progra...
2 weeks ago
Associate Staff Engineer - INFOR M3 Technical Consultant
$100K - $120K *
Optimize your career as an Infor M3 Technical Consultant, leveraging 3-5 years of expertise in integrations and development. Collaborate with teams to design and support seamless enterprise solutions...
3 weeks ago
$69K - $101K *
Champion the reliability of automated systems by providing expert technical support, troubleshooting complex issues, and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure operational excellence and seamless...
1 week ago
$135K - $145K *
Innovate data solutions by building and maintaining robust pipelines that empower critical processes. Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to enhance data reliability and efficiency in a high-t...
1 week ago
Principal Software Development Engineer in Test (Performance & Bare-Metal)
$140K - $252K *
Unlock potential by leading test strategies for hypervisor performance and VM quality. Collaborate with teams to design automated benchmarks and validate deployment safety, ensuring high standards acr...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of software development by leading projects, mentoring engineers, and architecting innovative solutions that enhance performance and meet business goals in a coll...
1 week ago
$92K - $110K *
Drive successful project delivery by integrating engineering, program management, and controls. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment, mitigate risks, and uphold design integrity across d...
6 days ago
$161K - $190K *
Join us to define and evolve the architecture of a cutting-edge digital platform, guiding engineering decisions and establishing shared services for scalable, secure, and reliable solutions that empow...
6 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.