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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$155K - $173K *

Join a team that's driving engineering excellence by designing scalable systems, influencing cross-team initiatives, and delivering high-impact solutions while mentoring engineers and upholding high s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$140K - $190K *

Drive innovation in healthcare analytics as a Senior Lead Software Engineer, leading product development, designing ETL processes, and mentoring a collaborative team to enhance patient outcomes throug...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $155K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of data services by designing and implementing robust integration solutions. Leverage your expertise in Ruby on Rails and REST APIs to drive innovative projects a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $168K *

Engineer innovative web interfaces as part of a dynamic team, enhancing underwriting workflows. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver a user-centric platform that scales, integrating AI for effici...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$115K - $160K *

Join our innovative team to enhance the underwriting platform, creating user-friendly, data-driven interfaces for seamless, AI-assisted workflows and robust decision-making in a dynamic engineering en...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$134K - $175K *

Innovate solutions in healthcare by building impactful full-stack applications. Collaborate cross-functionally to understand problems and deliver user-focused tools, embodying ownership from conceptio...

CanadaRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$191K *

Deliver innovative backend solutions for tax reporting and compliance, ensuring accuracy and scalability across all Coinbase products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive system design an...

CanadaRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$148K - $254K *

Transform connected systems by designing and deploying advanced anomaly detection models. Lead a team to build robust pipelines, ensuring real-time analysis and integration across AI and engineering t...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$118K - $131K *

Optimize your career by joining a dynamic team that develops cutting-edge AI-native solutions. Engage in full software development lifecycle, collaborating with users to create impactful technologies...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$172K - $203K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect, design, and develop advanced iOS functionality, enhancing seamless Bluetooth communication for millions of users while maintaining code quality an...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$224K - $431K *

Empower innovation by leading a team of engineers to enhance AI infrastructure, ensuring reliability and performance for cutting-edge research. Shape the platform's future while collaborating with div...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$273K - $370K *

Unlock potential by leading AI strategy and architecture across multiple organizations, driving innovation in security technology. Shape investments, mentor talent, and establish standards to ensure i...

California, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of quality assurance by leading automated testing initiatives for cloud-based ERP systems, ensuring seamless integration and performance across various business processes and upgrades...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $130K *

Unlock the potential of industrial data by developing and deploying AI solutions that drive operational excellence. Collaborate with clients to translate business needs into technical solutions, ensur...

Chesterfield, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$189K - $260K *

Join a dynamic team as a senior technology leader, overseeing engineering strategy and execution for innovative platforms and applications. Drive modernization and AI integration while ensuring high p...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $155K *

Empower the future of aerospace by leading polymer matrix composite process development. Drive innovation from concept to production, ensuring quality and manufacturability while collaborating across...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$165K - $195K *

Lead the charge in developing and managing a robust Enterprise Data Warehouse on Databricks. Drive BI solutions, mentor a team, and ensure data quality while collaborating across departments to enhanc...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$96K - $145K *

Accelerate your career by supporting critical mainframe applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and resolve complex issues, while driving continuous impro...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$63K - $111K *

Drive impactful construction solutions by coordinating design services, ensuring compliance with specifications, and collaborating with experts to enhance project quality and efficiency in a dynamic e...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$168K - $285K *

Elevate the future of software planning by leading a team that integrates human and AI collaboration. Shape product direction, connect work to business priorities, and drive strategic decisions in a d...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $305K *

Join a team that's redefining security by proactively identifying vulnerabilities across diverse environments. Collaborate with engineers to implement impactful fixes and enhance our defenses against...

Washington, USRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$177K - $283K *

Lead the charge in developing next-gen energy systems, focusing on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Drive technical strategy and system architecture from concept to deployment, shaping a sustainab...

Westlake Village, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$160K - $200K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI by developing robust machine learning solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and usability of advanced systems, and driv...

Austin, TXRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Pioneer innovative commissioning processes while collaborating with diverse teams. Oversee project execution, ensuring compliance with ASHRAE, CSA, and LEED standards. Drive technical excellence acros...

Atlanta, GARemote

3 weeks ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Champion a high-performing engineering team, guiding their growth while actively contributing to software development. Collaborate across functions to align goals and foster an inclusive culture, driv...

Columbus, OHRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.