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.
Engineering Manager, Integrations
$187K - $234K *
Empower the Integrations team to scale impact by leading third-party integrations, creating reusable capabilities, and fostering a collaborative culture that drives effective delivery and continuous i...
1 week ago
$300K - $500K *
Lead the development of high-performance, interactive trading web apps. Drive innovation and optimize user experience while collaborating with founders and engineers to shape the future of trading tec...
1 week ago
$300K - $500K *
Champion innovation by architecting and developing high-performance, real-time trading web apps. Leverage your expertise to enhance user experience and drive product evolution in a dynamic, collaborat...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive operational excellence by leading a skilled engineering team to ensure optimal performance and maintenance of critical building systems, enhancing tenant satisfaction and asset value through pro...
1 week ago
$120K - $192K *
Transform the technology landscape by leading an Agile team in developing cloud-native applications, driving innovation through AWS services, and enhancing engineering practices for scalable, secure s...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Engage in operational excellence by optimizing manufacturing processes, leading capital projects, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency across multi...
5 days ago
Lead Project Manager, Bridge Design
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of transportation by leading multi-discipline roadway and bridge projects. Leverage your expertise to enhance client relationships and drive business growth while mentoring engineerin...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us as a key leader in electrical engineering, overseeing complex projects and guiding teams to deliver innovative design solutions while managing budgets and client relationships effectively...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Deliver technical leadership in substation design, overseeing projects and mentoring engineers. Manage complex engineering challenges with minimal supervision while collaborating across teams to ensur...
2 weeks ago
Infrastructure Engineer, Privy
$145K - $175K *
Unlock potential by managing innovative, multi-tenant infrastructure and designing robust deployment systems. Collaborate with a dynamic engineering team to enhance developer experiences and ensure sy...
Reposted 4 days ago
$103K - $129K *
Take ownership of high-quality electrical product development, ensuring safety and reliability through innovative engineering solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance design, manufacturing, and de...
Reposted 1 week ago
$64K - $95K *
Pioneer the mechanical design of aircraft engine nacelle components. Collaborate with manufacturers and vendors to define system architecture, generate technical data packages, and ensure compliance w...
3 weeks ago
$64K - $95K *
Drive the mechanical design of aircraft engine nacelle components, collaborating with manufacturers and vendors to ensure compliance with technical requirements while generating detailed technical dat...
3 weeks ago
Lead Engineer, Zonal ECU Design Responsible Engineer
$160K - $192K *
Empower innovation in electric vehicle design by leading zonal ECU hardware development from concept to launch, collaborating across teams to ensure compliance and performance while mentoring engineer...
2 weeks ago
Assistant Lead Foundations Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Transform the future of rail transit by leading a geotechnical team, overseeing major projects, and ensuring quality and safety in design and investigations. Collaborate across disciplines while mento...
3 weeks ago
$75K - $125K *
Engineer projects for manufacturing, integrating design, budgets, feasibility, and collaboration. Manage timelines, communicate with stakeholders, and ensure compliance while enhancing productivity an...
Reposted 5 days ago
Lead Engineer, Vehicle Architecture
$125K - $157K *
Lead the charge in vehicle architecture by managing system integration, ensuring design feasibility, and collaborating across teams to deliver innovative automotive solutions from concept to productio...
4 days ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead customer success post-deployment by managing relationships, resolving issues, and building a high-performing Customer Engineering team. Collaborate with Product and Engineering to enhance solutio...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive project success by managing complex engineering assignments, ensuring quality delivery while fostering client relationships and supporting business development efforts across multiple teams and...
3 weeks ago
$142K - $274K *
Lead the charge in defining and building security foundations for high-scale cloud infrastructure, ensuring robust PKI, secrets management, and secure communications across globally distributed system...
Today
$142K - $274K *
Develop and lead the security architecture for high-scale cloud infrastructure, ensuring robust PKI, secrets management, and secure service communication while driving cross-team collaboration and enh...
Today
Senior Staff Software Engineer
$160K - $210K *
Drive the development of scalable software systems for automated validation of high-speed optical modules. Lead lab automation frameworks and integrate advanced testing equipment to enhance data cente...
6 days ago
$115K - $127K *
Engage the project management team to ensure timely and quality project completion while prioritizing safety and sustainability practices. Collaborate effectively on planning, coordination, and admini...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Staff Software Engineer - Data Lake Infrastructure
$231K - $378K *
Champion the technical vision for OpenHouse and LinkedIn's data lake technologies. Lead cross-team initiatives, mentor engineers, and design scalable, reliable systems while engaging with open-source...
1 week ago
Project Manager - Track and Systems
$165K - $270K *
Partner with us to lead the Construction Management Consultant team as Owner's Representative on a light rail extension program, overseeing trackwork and systems construction, ensuring quality, budget...
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.