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.
Manager, Software Engineering (Resilience Engineering)
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Join our team to lead innovative resilience engineering practices, focusing on proactive validation, load testing, and chaos engineering, enhancing the safety and reliability of production systems whi...
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Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer (GenAI, AWS)
$180K - $200K *
Advance your career by embedding within client teams to deliver impactful AI solutions. Collaborate closely with stakeholders, tackle real-world challenges, and drive innovation in production environm...
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Manager Security Engineer, Operations
$186K - $233K *
Drive security excellence by leading a high-performing team in incident detection and response. Own the technology stack and enhance security across multi-tenant SaaS environments, ensuring rapid thre...
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Senior Infrastructure Engineer- Secure Developer Platforms (Azure/VDI)
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in building a secure, self-service developer sandbox on Azure, delivering non-persistent desktops and managing the entire stack from landing zone to golden image while ensuring complia...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer/Sr Software Engineer
$120K - $170K *
Develop and enhance Python services for pharmacy claims processing. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality solutions while gaining expertise in the pharmacy benefits domain. Embrace a hybrid...
3 weeks ago
Principal Transmission Line Engineer (Remote)
$155K - $210K *
Advance your career by leading high voltage transmission line projects, utilizing PLS-CADD software. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and serve as a client-facing exp...
3 weeks ago
Systems Engineering Lead/Manager - KSA C4I
$161K - $299K *
Transform the future of C4I systems as a Systems Engineering Manager, leading design initiatives and managing a team to ensure alignment with customer requirements. Drive modernization efforts through...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's focused on delivering successful project outcomes by building comprehensive schedules, defining responsibilities, and managing timelines effectively to ensure client satisfaction an...
3 weeks ago
Security & Infrastructure Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Drive security excellence by managing identity access, external testing, and compliance processes. Collaborate with teams to enhance AWS security and develop scalable policies, ensuring robust protect...
4 weeks ago
Civil Project Engineer - Site Design/Municipal
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by leading engineering and project management for diverse land development projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions from conception to com...
4 weeks ago
Senior AI / ML Engineer (LLMs)
$200K - $235K *
Transform AI/ML systems by leading end-to-end development of innovative solutions. Tackle complex challenges in medical synthesis and help define and deploy advanced features that enhance user experie...
Reposted 3 days ago
Civil Engineer (Structural Specialty)
$100K - $170K *
Champion innovative structural engineering solutions for federal facilities. Lead design, review, and oversight of construction projects, ensuring compliance with codes and standards while enhancing s...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $112K *
Lead the charge in managing complex projects within the Education portfolio, ensuring effective coordination across teams and stakeholders while driving impactful outcomes in higher education and appl...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer (.NET/C#/Azure)
$120K - $145K *
Champion innovation by leading the development of a modern auction platform, collaborating across teams to deliver scalable, maintainable software solutions that enhance digital marketplace operations...
3 weeks ago
Application Development Engineer
$124K - $195K *
Transform systems integration by designing and maintaining APIs, automating workflows, and optimizing SaaS tools. Collaborate across teams to streamline processes and provide technical support for com...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion seamless technical integrations by leading end-to-end delivery, troubleshooting, and documentation. Collaborate with customer IT teams to ensure compliance and optimize data flows in a dynami...
1 month ago
$86K - $137K *
Optimize project outcomes as you manage small to medium-sized initiatives. Collaborate across teams, navigate risks, and ensure timely delivery of quality solutions while enhancing communication and s...
Reposted 1 week ago
$113K - $191K *
Shape the future of IoT by developing firmware for cutting-edge devices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and deliver real-tim...
4 days ago
$125K - $150K *
Pioneer the success of large-scale construction projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards. Lead diverse teams, manage client relationships, and drive strategic planning while overseeing...
1 week ago
Principal Engineer, Integrated Product Analytics Innovation Lead (Remote)
$107K - $204K *
Lead the charge in data analytics innovation, leveraging machine learning and Python to enhance decision-making and optimize engineering processes. Collaborate with teams to drive impactful solutions...
1 week ago
Director of Strategic Partnerships
$125K - $150K *
Transform strategic initiatives by leading partnerships that drive growth and innovation. Collaborate across teams to enhance business objectives and foster relationships that unlock new opportunities...
Yesterday
Senior Engineer (AWS, Azure, Terraform, Kubernetes)
$150K - $175K *
Lead innovative cloud solutions by architecting and managing robust platforms. Collaborate with a dynamic team to tackle complex challenges in AWS and Azure, enhancing your skills while driving impact...
6 days ago
BCIL - Engineering & Applied Science Lead
$130K - $170K *
Lead transformative engineering projects, mentor high school students, and foster innovation in applied sciences. Collaborate with industry partners to enhance student research opportunities and devel...
1 week ago
Senior Backend Software Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Drive innovation by leading backend development for high-traffic APIs and microservices. Collaborate across teams to enhance system reliability, scalability, and performance while optimizing cloud cos...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer (Rustici) US, Franklin, Remote
$110K - $130K *
Deliver high-quality software solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, collaborating with a dynamic team to maintain and enhance eLearning products while driving technical specifications and improveme...
Reposted 3 weeks 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.