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.
$170K - $200K *
Join a team that designs and builds scalable, secure backend services using modern technologies, mentors engineers, and enhances platform capabilities through innovation and collaboration across funct...
Reposted 3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive your career with a leading role in bridge design, overseeing complex projects and mentoring junior engineers. Engage in innovative structural planning and analysis for transportation infrastruct...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading complex electrical design projects, managing budgets, and mentoring teams. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions in new construction...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion efficient building maintenance systems, ensuring safety and client satisfaction. Lead a team of engineers, prioritize work orders, and implement preventative measures while managing relations...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing and implementing innovative power generation projects. Collaborate with a multi-discipline team to deliver high-quality mechanical engineering solutions for utility-scale...
5 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate transportation engineering by leading complex design projects, mentoring engineers, and ensuring high-quality deliverables. Collaborate with clients and teams to drive technical excellence and...
1 month ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the design and engineering of electrical systems for complex building projects, ensuring compliance with codes and standards while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quali...
1 week ago
Team Lead Software Engineer, VP
$120K - $202K *
Collaborate with scrum teams to lead software development, ensuring high-quality implementation and architectural modernization of core product areas while mentoring team members and managing Agile pr...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Lead Performance Drilling Engineer
$200K - $235K *
Innovate with us to enhance drilling performance through technical expertise and collaboration. Drive continuous improvement initiatives, optimize operations, and ensure safety while managing diverse...
3 days ago
Lead Performance Drilling Engineer
$200K - $235K *
Drive drilling performance improvements by collaborating with engineering and field teams to optimize operations, enhance safety, and implement cost-effective solutions in a dynamic environment...
3 days ago
Senior Manager, Engineering (821)
$145K - $175K *
Lead engineering teams to deliver scalable, high-quality customer-facing products. Drive technical direction, champion modern practices, and ensure robust, reusable UI architectures across product tea...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Manager, Engineering (821)
$138K - $165K *
Lead innovative engineering teams to deliver high-impact customer solutions. Drive micro-frontend architecture with hands-on management and collaboration, ensuring technical excellence and agile deliv...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining electrical harnessing for aerospace systems. Lead the design and integration of complex wiring interconnect systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards while men...
1 week ago
$120K - $202K *
Lead and innovate adversary-emulation activities to enhance security posture. Collaborate with teams to design threat-informed testing scenarios, ensuring compliance and safety while driving improveme...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $202K *
Lead the charge in adversary-emulation activities, guiding a skilled Red Team to enhance security posture through targeted assessments and threat-informed testing, while ensuring compliance with organ...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $202K *
Drive adversary-emulation activities and lead a team in executing threat-informed security testing. Ensure compliance with standards while enhancing organizational defenses through strategic assessmen...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $202K *
Elevate your career by leading adversary-emulation activities and security assessments. Guide a skilled team in enhancing organizational defenses while ensuring compliance with standards and regulatio...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $130K *
Shape innovative structural designs while leading a collaborative team. Drive project success through technical expertise and client engagement, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence across di...
Yesterday
Lead Engineer - Research and Development
$92K - $138K *
Lead innovative product development as a proactive R&D Engineer, driving concepts from ideation to launch. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure successful integration of technologies while advanci...
1 week ago
Lead Engineer - Research and Development
$92K - $138K *
Shape innovative products and technologies by leading R&D efforts from concept to launch. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure successful integration and development, while advancing your engineer...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Unlock seamless integrations by developing and supporting JD Edwards Orchestrations. Collaborate with Accounting and technical teams to enhance business processes and automate workflows, leveraging mo...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing business systems integration. Collaborate closely with Accounting to develop and support JD Edwards Orchestrations, leveraging modern technologies and AI tool...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Admin Experience
$225K - $265K *
Shape the future of secure administration by leading a dynamic engineering team focused on backend services, user access, and account management. Drive innovation while ensuring operational excellence...
5 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by driving continuous improvement and maintenance of neuro-diagnostics equipment. Collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to enhance product reliability and performance while...
2 weeks ago
Lead Engineer, R&D Project Management
$118K - $157K *
Lead the charge in managing R&D projects for new product development, ensuring successful equipment installation and process transfer. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver projects on ti...
6 days 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.