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.
$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...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Lead Software Engineer, Analytics Products (REMOTE)
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
Reposted yesterday
Frontend Engineer, Underwriting
$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...
Reposted 4 days ago
Frontend Engineer, Underwriting
$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...
Reposted 4 days ago
$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...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Software Engineer, Tax Engineering
$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...
5 days ago
Staff Software Engineer - ML/AI
$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...
2 weeks ago
Advanced Software Engineer - AI Reliability Engineering
$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...
3 days ago
Senior iOS Engineer, Connectivity
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$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...
Today
$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...
1 week ago
Staff Engineer - QA Automation
$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...
3 weeks ago
Forward Deployed Engineer - Operational Intelligence Practice
$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...
2 days ago
Director, Software Engineering - Platform & Tool Development
$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...
Reposted 4 days ago
Distinguished Staff Development & Process Engineer: Composites
$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...
5 days ago
Director, BI & Data Engineering
$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...
5 days ago
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
Staff Product Manager, Agentic Planning
$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...
1 week ago
Senior Offensive Security Engineer
$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...
5 days ago
Director, Engineering - New Energy Systems
$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...
4 weeks ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Agentic Systems
$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...
Reposted 4 days ago
Commissioning Project Engineer
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
Reposted 1 week 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.