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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

Sort By: Relevance

$112K - $193K *

Drive the architecture and development of cloud-native infrastructure across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Lead initiatives in cloud governance, security, and automation while promoting engineering excellence...

Eden Prairie, MNRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $280K *

Join our dynamic team to develop and deploy innovative AI/ML web applications. Leverage your full-stack expertise to create user-centric solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams to dr...

Three Rivers, MIRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$169K - $220K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming healthcare through innovative software solutions. Collaborate with engineers and healthcare professionals to build systems that enhance patient care and st...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $175K *

Lead the charge in architecting and managing robust cloud platforms, driving modernization efforts, and automating infrastructure solutions for large-scale enterprises. Collaborate with top engineers...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $110K *

Optimize project delivery by leading engineering processes for EV charging, battery storage, and compute projects. Collaborate with external partners and ensure compliance with technical standards whi...

Boston, MARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping developer experiences by creating impactful tutorials, demo apps, and tools. Collaborate across departments to enhance adoption and usability of Render's products while test...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in optimizing project management processes for a VHA client team. Utilize your expertise to enhance strategic planning, decision-making, and execution while collaborating with senior s...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$152K - $205K *

Lead the charge in architecting AI-driven solutions for enterprise clients, transforming complex data governance challenges into actionable insights. Collaborate with stakeholders to shape product evo...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a dynamic Site Design team to manage projects, prepare design documents, and collaborate with clients and staff. Leverage your engineering expertise to positively impact communities through innov...

Oklahoma, USRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Join a dynamic Site Design team to manage and execute civil engineering projects, ensuring quality design and effective communication with clients and teams. Contribute to impactful land development i...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Join us in shaping the future of enterprise compliance! As a key engineer, you'll design and deliver a robust org model that empowers complex security structures, ensuring seamless integration for our...

CanadaRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of embedded systems and simulation technologies. Collaborate globally to tackle complex technical challenges, enhance product reliability, and support innovative...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$265K - $279K *

Empower your career by leading the Enterprise Fulfillment engineering team, setting technical vision, owning engineering roadmaps, and fostering a culture of excellence with 10+ engineers while collab...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$142K - $161K *

Unlock potential by automating IT processes and workflows. In this senior role, you'll own and enhance automation systems, ensuring reliability and efficiency while collaborating with cross-functional...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $203K *

Join a team that's redefining Unity platform support for Android ecosystems. Collaborate on optimizing performance across devices, enabling seamless deployment for developers while enhancing user expe...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $110K *

Drive innovation as a Software Engineer III, enhancing full-stack capabilities and mentoring junior developers while collaborating with stakeholders to improve engineering processes and deliver impact...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $175K *

Drive innovative technology solutions by leading Agile project management efforts, fostering client relationships, and guiding teams through the complete solution delivery lifecycle to ensure successf...

Mclean, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development of advanced simulation capabilities to validate technology and services, ensuring alignment with internal teams and managing customer requests while integrating external tools for...

Austin, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$217K - $303K *

Lead the charge in evolving a cohesive design system for Android, enhancing UI architecture and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build reusable components and improve accessibil...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by managing diverse EV projects, ensuring successful delivery through collaboration, strategic planning, and effective stakeholder engagement. Drive project excellence while naviga...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$104K - $139K *

Join a dynamic team to design and develop innovative iOS applications, ensuring quality and performance while collaborating with a global community. Elevate user experiences through coding excellence...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing complex technical projects across IT, Security, and Compliance. Engage with customers to translate technical needs into actionable plans while ensuring seamless internal co...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Take ownership of diverse projects, leading cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution, from planning to closure. Drive innovation and efficiency while managing budgets and stakeholder comm...

Tennessee, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by managing complex assignments in insurance restoration, leading a global team to deliver exceptional service, oversee project management, and ensure high-quality reporting for clien...

Quebec, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $155K *

Lead the development of innovative Generative AI solutions, overseeing end-to-end processes from design to deployment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance enterprise systems and ensure...

Florida, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.