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 Java Software Engineer (Library of Congress)
$115K - $135K *
Lead the charge in developing high-quality software solutions, mentoring engineers, and driving process improvements. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance systems and deliver impactful results in...
Reposted today
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's redefining construction technology by architecting scalable, reliable systems that integrate cutting-edge AI and computer vision. Collaborate across disciplines to drive innovation...
2 weeks ago
Director, Software Engineering - Platform Development
$150K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to lead the development of innovative Microsoft-based platforms, driving modernization and AI integration while ensuring robust, scalable, and secure solutions in a highly regulate...
2 weeks ago
Portfolio Manager, Technology Product Management
$161K - $242K *
Lead the charge in driving the cardiology portfolio's growth and modernization. Own strategy, adoption, cloud migration, and pricing while collaborating across teams to enhance patient outcomes and op...
1 month ago
$80K - $90K *
Unlock your potential by designing prompt strategies that enhance data annotation and localization workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive AI-driven solutions, ensuring quality and...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $170K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality HVAC projects. Oversee technical coordination, manage project milestones, and ensure seamless communication among stakeholders while driving pro...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager - Containers, Kubernetes, and Confidential Computing
$272K - $431K *
Join a team that's redefining cloud-native technologies by managing innovative engineering efforts in container orchestration and GPU acceleration, ensuring seamless integration across platforms while...
Reposted 1 week ago
Linear Accelerator - Field Service Engineer
$110K - $160K *
Shape the future of healthcare by ensuring optimal performance of Linear Accelerators. Collaborate with clients and colleagues to deliver exceptional service, troubleshoot issues, and maintain equipme...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance business operations, streamline processes, and drive value through effective analysis and documentation. Your expertise will...
3 weeks ago
Active Directory / Identity Engineer (Senior)
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as a senior engineer managing Active Directory services, ensuring security, availability, and recovery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support identity modernization...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Client Services
$80K - $95K *
Transform eDiscovery management by driving operational excellence, ensuring timely project delivery, and enhancing workflow efficiency. Collaborate with stakeholders to uphold quality standards and fo...
3 weeks ago
$138K - $203K *
Empower the future of scalable email systems by developing and managing high-performance backend services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance cloud infrastructure and optimize microser...
Yesterday
Lead Director, Software Development Engineering (Member Eligibility Services)
$144K - $288K *
Drive modernization and operational stability for eligibility processing, leading a multi-team engineering organization to enhance cloud-based data services and APIs, ensuring high availability and co...
3 weeks ago
$115K - $125K *
Join a dynamic team to innovate and deliver world-class financial products. Leverage your engineering expertise to tackle complex challenges, enhance team collaboration, and drive impactful solutions...
4 weeks ago
Global Head Asset Management (AM) GTM Lead
$175K - $210K *
Join as a strategic leader in driving go-to-market initiatives for our Asset Management portfolio. Collaborate across teams worldwide to enhance customer satisfaction, optimize sales strategies, and e...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Transmission Line Engineer
$73K - $132K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team solving complex challenges in electric transmission design for high-voltage systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards and delivering impactful projects...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, Android
$159K - $254K *
Join a dynamic team to design and deliver innovative Android system applications, enhancing device management and user experience. Collaborate across functions to build scalable solutions that empower...
Reposted 5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in VDC delivery across a regional portfolio of commercial construction projects. Set execution standards, manage a team of VDC professionals, and ensure field-relevant results while fo...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $184K *
Pioneer the development and operational convergence through automation, designing CI/CD pipelines and driving release process efficiency to enhance software delivery across diverse teams and projects...
Reposted yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Explore the opportunity to manage and evolve complex multi-prem platform architecture. Collaborate with engineering teams, ensuring operational excellence across diverse environments while leveraging...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of secure software development by integrating security practices into engineering workflows, building automation tools, and conducting penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities an...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager, Grafana Frontend | USA | Remote
$208K - $250K *
Shape the future of Grafana by leading frontend development squads, fostering collaboration and innovation to enhance user experiences. Drive AI integration and team growth while managing strategic pr...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Elevate your career by designing and delivering innovative video solutions across diverse sectors. Collaborate with teams to create scalable architectures that enhance broadcast, streaming, and cloud...
4 weeks ago
Senior Data Visualization Engineer
$115K - $170K *
The Senior Data Visualization Engineer will be responsible for creating visually appealing and operationally impactful dashboards and reports for a major federal agency. This role involves designing a...
Reposted 3 days ago
$79K - $114K *
Engineer robust full stack enterprise applications in a dynamic AWS environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain high-quality solutions while troubleshooting c...
Reposted 2 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.