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.
Senior Software Engineer, AI Platform Integration
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in AI integration across diverse products. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll enhance capabilities, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure secure...
3 weeks ago
$162K - $165K *
Drive operational excellence by providing 24/7 Tier 1 support for classified cloud environments. Analyze system performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure platform reliability while coordinating wit...
3 days ago
$154K - $159K *
Analyze and troubleshoot Linux and Kubernetes systems in a 24/7 environment, ensuring platform health and operational efficiency while coordinating customer support and case management for classified...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion customer solutions by rapidly prototyping and deploying AI-driven applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product capabilities and drive adoption, ensuring impactful...
2 weeks ago
Staff System I&T Engineer - I&T Lead
$131K - $243K *
Lead the charge in modernizing C4I systems by managing integration and testing strategies. Collaborate with an international team to define architecture and ensure system verification, driving project...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Transform data landscapes by designing and maintaining scalable data pipelines using Azure services, Python, and Spark. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable data solutions that...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Platform
$138K - $165K *
Transform AI capabilities by building robust SDKs and infrastructure. Collaborate with product teams to enhance agent workflows, ensuring reliability and performance while driving innovation in AI exp...
Yesterday
Enterprise Sales Engineer - Philadelphia
$140K - $165K *
Engage with clients to assess technical needs and demonstrate how our solutions meet their requirements. Collaborate with sales teams to secure wins, conduct demos, and build lasting relationships wit...
1 week ago
Project Controls Lead - Data Center Construction
$160K - $190K *
Champion project control excellence by developing strategies, collaborating with teams, and optimizing performance to ensure successful project delivery within timelines and budgets. Lead initiatives...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineering Manager - Material Handling Equipment (MHE)
$140K - $155K *
Empower your career by leading a dynamic mechanical design team in developing innovative material handling solutions. Drive technical excellence and ensure compliance while managing projects from conc...
3 weeks ago
$103K - $130K *
Lead complex public-sector consulting projects, managing scope, budget, and client relationships while ensuring quality and compliance across multidisciplinary teams and initiatives...
2 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, AV Analysis Platform
$224K - $356K *
Pioneer the development of advanced evaluation tools for Autonomous Vehicles, enhancing workflows and system performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions that imp...
1 week ago
$98K - $164K *
Unlock potential by leading power system engineering efforts to design innovative electrification solutions for EHV/HV substations, ensuring project execution success and maximizing business developme...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead a dynamic team to transform AI strategies into impactful healthcare solutions. Oversee engineering execution, guide architecture, and ensure compliance while collaborating with cross-functional p...
6 days ago
Senior Red Team Engineer - Frontier AI Security (Remote US)
$120K - $150K *
Lead the charge in advanced security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing security posture through hands-on penetration testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Mentor...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Substation Physical Project Designer - Grid
$85K - $129K *
Lead the charge in substation design by preparing detailed drawings and overseeing project teams. Engage with clients and contractors to ensure compliance with standards while mentoring designers and...
4 weeks ago
$109K - $164K *
Drive advanced digital forensics and incident response initiatives while mentoring a skilled engineering team. Leverage deep technical knowledge to enhance operational capabilities and ensure exceptio...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Backend Software Engineer, SDK
$145K - $200K *
Transform your career by developing robust SDKs that empower customers globally. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and resiliency while contributing to open-source project...
2 weeks ago
Instrumentation & Controls Engineering Senior Consultant - Nuclear
$165K - $253K *
Join a dynamic team to lead complex instrumentation and controls engineering projects in nuclear power. Drive innovation, ensure compliance, and enhance safety through digital upgrades and strategic c...
4 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, iOS Platform
$217K - $303K *
Innovate the future of iOS development by architecting scalable solutions for Reddit's mobile app. Lead technical direction, mentor engineers, and enhance developer efficiency to support 100M+ DAUs wh...
2 weeks ago
$145K - $205K *
Pioneer data-driven growth strategies by establishing operational analytics frameworks for international markets while collaborating cross-functionally to inform decision-making and drive measurable b...
Reposted yesterday
$133K - $213K *
Shape the future of payment processing by designing and delivering robust backend solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance our unified payment platform, ensuring high-quality feat...
Yesterday
$108K - $155K *
Elevate your career by leading complex public sector deployments, ensuring seamless execution of Zero Trust solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve impactful business outc...
Today
Application Packaging Engineer
$116K - $122K *
Deliver reliable application packaging solutions for a large federal IT environment. Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure seamless deployment across thousands of endpoints...
1 week ago
Assistant Project Manager (Mission Critical)
$86K - $112K *
Drive project success by supporting the Project Manager with scheduling, cost management, and compliance while maintaining client relations throughout the project lifecycle. Leverage your estimation e...
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.