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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$72K - $100K *

Join our dynamic team as a Sr. Credit Analyst, owning the underwriting cycle from application review to decision-making. Leverage your analytical skills to enhance credit processes and contribute to a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $130K *

Transform your career by designing and delivering complex full-stack solutions using Java, Spring Boot, and Angular. Collaborate with teams to enhance engineering quality and lead technical initiative...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$150K - $185K *

Champion the development of high-trust engineering teams while managing intake, capacity planning, and operational excellence. Drive delivery and foster collaboration across functions to meet evolving...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $190K *

Transform security solutions across multiple domains, driving technical direction and collaboration to address high-risk items and enhance Meta's security posture company-wide. Lead cross-functional t...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$101K - $140K *

Drive the evolution of Business Systems by integrating automation and AI into our go-to-market processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build scalable systems that enhance efficiency and...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $160K *

Shape the future of global merchandising technology by leading engineering efforts, driving modernization, and ensuring high-quality delivery across diverse platforms. Collaborate with teams to implem...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$208K - $234K *

Drive the growth of Honeycomb Private Cloud by leading a senior engineering team, enhancing customer relationships, and ensuring operational excellence across multiple engineering domains. Collaborate...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $230K *

Elevate your career by owning the infrastructure and security of a multi-environment platform. Collaborate with leadership to build and operate systems that support critical government operations and...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$240K - $290K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic engineering team focused on production and infrastructure. Drive performance, foster collaboration, and deliver innovative solutions while managing diverse tec...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$111K - $150K *

Elevate your career by leading the design and integration of advanced electrical control systems. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance efficiency and mentor junior members while ensuring proj...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $148K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AEC software by leading engineering talent and enhancing workflows. Drive innovation in Autodesk Revit add-ins and tools while fostering a collaborative enviro...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's leading the modernization of a legacy system. Drive architectural decisions, enhance engineering practices, and foster a culture of innovation while ensuring reliable delivery and c...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$131K - $205K *

Engage in the design and evaluation of electric power generation projects. Provide technical support and owner’s engineering services, focusing on thermal power systems. Collaborate on project develop...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$186K - $236K *

Lead the design and development of scalable payment solutions, shaping the future of money movement for small businesses. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver resilient engineering solutions whil...

Washington, DCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$81K *

Manage and enhance public health technology platforms, ensuring secure, reliable operations for local, state, and federal agencies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize system performan...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$208K - $429K *

Inspire innovation as you lead a high-performing team to enhance large-scale platforms, driving automation and operational excellence while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement across th...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $140K *

Provide technical leadership in electrical and controls engineering for industrial projects, ensuring high-quality design and integration of systems while collaborating with clients and teams to drive...

Atlanta, GARemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Empower your career by bridging sales and engineering as a key technical resource. You'll scope, quote, and support customer needs for low and medium-voltage switchgear solutions, ensuring alignment w...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $220K *

Manage and elevate a team of engineers to deliver AI-powered healthcare solutions. Oversee project planning, architecture, and team development while ensuring high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced, re...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Elevate your recruiting career by leading high-impact searches for Director-level and above roles. Collaborate with senior leaders to shape talent strategies, drive full-cycle recruiting, and build ex...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Join us to develop and enhance algorithms for cutting-edge AI solutions. Collaborate with engineers and architects to transform innovative ideas into production-ready code, ensuring high-quality stand...

Cary, NCRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$320K - $405K *

Transform the future of data center engineering by resolving on-site technical issues, collaborating with contractors, and ensuring project success through effective problem-solving and communication...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$217K - $264K *

Lead and optimize the engineering team to enhance customer onboarding and lifecycle management, ensuring robust risk management and compliance across products while fostering a high-performing, inclus...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$164K - $240K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build AI infrastructure, ensure reliability and security, and guide technical direction while fostering engineer development. Lead innovative projects that e...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$155K - $207K *

Lead the design and development of innovative software solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality applications. Drive technical excellence and mentor engineers while...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

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.