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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$132K - $220K *

Drive innovation in cloud technology as you lead teams delivering scalable solutions for fan engagement and sports programs. Your strategic vision will shape high-performance engineering while collabo...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$132K - $220K *

Drive technical excellence as an Engineering Manager, leading teams to deliver innovative cloud-based solutions for Fan and Club products, while fostering collaboration and strategic alignment to enha...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Drive the future of user-centric technology by leading the development of innovative tools that enhance the advisor experience, ensuring seamless interactions and impactful outcomes for small business...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Lead the end-to-end agent experience, crafting user-centric tools and APIs that elevate advisor interactions. Drive innovation and ensure exceptional usability, transforming complex processes into sea...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Lead engineering teams to innovate and deliver advanced RF and telecommunications systems, ensuring compliance and high reliability throughout product lifecycles while making critical technical decisi...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead innovative development projects as a Technical Lead, overseeing new implementations and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure excellence and delivery in a dynamic environment...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$160K - $175K *

Drive innovation as a hands-on technical lead, guiding a team of engineers in developing critical manufacturing software. Collaborate across departments to enhance processes and eliminate bottlenecks...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$150K - $180K *

Empower developers by designing innovative real-time world models and tools. Collaborate on UI components, dashboards, and APIs to enhance user experience and streamline internal processes, ensuring r...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $175K *

Transform the future of data production by leading innovative projects that scale operations and enhance quality, while driving revenue through automation and expert management. Join a dynamic team fo...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $185K *

Develop innovative control software for gas turbine engines, leading technical efforts while collaborating across engineering disciplines to optimize system performance and support next-gen aerospace...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$156K - $199K *

Drive technical leadership for cross-discipline teams delivering mission-critical hardware solutions. Oversee product development, coordinate engineering activities, and ensure alignment with customer...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$175K - $210K *

Unlock potential by leading cross-functional teams to enhance security through AI/ML innovations. Drive technical direction, mentor stakeholders, and shape the future of secure technology across diver...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead complex engineering projects in power generation, focusing on excitation systems. Collaborate with clients and internal teams to deliver innovative solutions while enjo...

Warrenville, ILRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $150K *

Lead the charge in designing and executing innovative excitation systems for power generation projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure high performance and reliability while delivering exceptional r...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $150K *

Champion innovative solutions in power generation by leading complex projects focused on excitation systems. Collaborate with teams and clients to ensure project success while enjoying a flexible work...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $150K *

Unlock potential by leading complex engineering projects in power generation. Collaborate with teams to design and implement innovative excitation systems, ensuring reliability and performance while e...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$115K - $145K *

Lead and mentor a dynamic engineering team to design, develop, and maintain robust software systems, ensuring reliability and security while driving innovation and collaboration across projects and te...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$126K - $167K *

Shape the future of mission-critical facilities by leading electrical design projects. Collaborate with design and project management teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring compliance with co...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$175K - $250K *

Champion the development of AI-driven applications that enhance broker workflows, drive revenue growth, and improve member engagement. Collaborate cross-functionally to build innovative, scalable solu...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$94K - $141K *

Champion engineering excellence by leading a dynamic machine design team, driving innovative projects from concept to completion while fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented culture in a fast-p...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$121K - $199K *

Champion innovative distribution planning initiatives, leading a team to enhance system performance, reliability, and safety while integrating cutting-edge technologies and mentoring engineering staff...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$90K - $110K *

Drive impactful engineering projects by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring technical excellence from design to commissioning, and solving complex challenges across various sectors...

St. John's, NLIn-Person

1 week ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by providing technical leadership on high-impact cloud projects. Collaborate with a distributed team to enhance our cloud platform's efficiency and drive strategic initiatives acro...

Plano, TXRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Staffing

$120K - $150K *

Empower engineering teams by architecting and implementing innovative Teamcenter solutions that streamline product design and management, enhancing collaboration and efficiency across manufacturing op...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative roadway designs and collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality transportation infrastructure projects while mentoring junior engineers and expanding your technical expertise...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.