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.
Project Engineer - Land Development
$90K - $135K *
Join a dynamic team to lead land development design projects, overseeing site layouts, utility and roadway design, and permitting processes. Collaborate across disciplines while mentoring engineers an...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $200K *
Drive impactful design and development of front-end features, owning the code from concept to production. Collaborate with teams to establish design systems and set direction for user-centric products...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Release
$191K - $254K *
Unlock efficiency in software deployment by building automated systems that enhance quality and performance. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliable, rapid delivery of advanced defense technology...
2 days ago
$110K - $140K *
Lead the charge in optimizing customer engagement and technical support for SiC products, bridging the gap between engineering and strategic clients. Drive project management and deliver insights to e...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Architect data solutions and lead a team in developing enterprise analytics deliverables. Collaborate across technical and business domains to enhance data products that support decision-making for st...
5 days ago
$175K - $195K *
Empower your career by leading a Sprint Team in delivering cloud-native solutions. Guide technical direction, mentor developers, and ensure high code quality while driving innovation in AI-assisted de...
1 week ago
$175K - $195K *
Lead the technical direction of a Sprint Team, ensuring code quality and mentoring developers while aligning solutions with cloud-native, AI-augmented architecture standards. Drive innovation and coll...
1 week ago
$175K - $195K *
Join us to lead a dynamic Sprint Team, guiding technical direction and ensuring code quality while mentoring developers and driving cloud-native, AI-augmented solutions that align with architectural s...
1 week ago
$175K - $195K *
Join a team that's redefining cloud-native architecture by leading a Sprint Team. You'll guide technical direction, mentor developers, and ensure high code quality while driving AI-assisted tooling ad...
1 week ago
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Lead the development of critical firmware for safety-critical systems, collaborating across teams to optimize embedded platforms. Drive best practices and mentor engineers while ensuring reliability a...
6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of electrical design by executing medium- and low-voltage power systems and protection & control tasks, ensuring compliance with standards while delivering high-q...
Yesterday
$108K - $130K *
Drive electrical design excellence from concept to construction, ensuring compliance with standards and codes. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality power system designs and studies, while...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
As an Application Engineer IV at ClearEdge, you will support Knowledge Graph systems by designing, developing, and maintaining software that enables complex data relationships. This role requires stro...
Reposted 1 week ago
Sr. Staff Software Engineer, Systems Infrastructure
$198K - $326K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of streaming infrastructure by designing and developing scalable systems. As a key technical leader, you'll drive architectural decisions and foster collaboration...
3 weeks ago
$220K - $250K *
Innovate the future of engineering operations by leading a dynamic team to build impactful products. Drive technical excellence, enhance system performance, and elevate AI integration while ensuring r...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Designer Experience
$230K - $280K *
Grow your career with a new engineering team, leading end-to-end design experiences. Drive innovation through continuous delivery, metric tracking, and deliver exceptional UX in a fast-paced environme...
Reposted yesterday
$98K - $147K *
Shape the future of software quality assurance by developing and maintaining evaluation systems, collaborating with engineering teams, and ensuring compliance with quality standards for software and f...
2 weeks ago
Civil Engineer Project Manager (Land Development)
$110K - $150K *
Lead and manage civil engineering projects from planning to delivery, ensuring quality and client satisfaction while mentoring junior staff and coordinating with stakeholders for successful land devel...
2 days ago
$120K - $130K *
Lead the modernization of software solutions, driving engineering practices and hands-on design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance freight operations through innovative cloud-native s...
3 weeks ago
$88K - $154K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative structural engineering solutions for complex DoD projects, ensuring quality and compliance while collaborating across disciplines to enhance infrastructure and...
5 days ago
Power Engineering Primary Lead Eng
$136K - $204K *
Lead the design and execution of medium- to high-voltage substation projects, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and ensuring quality, budget, and schedule adherence while fostering strong client rela...
2 weeks ago
Power Engineering Primary Lead Eng
$136K - $204K *
Drive the design and execution of high-voltage substation projects, leading multidisciplinary teams and ensuring quality delivery. Engage with clients, oversee project scope, and provide technical gui...
2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer, Aviation
$120K - $170K *
Empower your career by leading electrical utility relocation projects in a dynamic airport environment. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance aviation infrastructure and ensure seamless...
4 weeks ago
$140K - $170K *
Drive innovation by leading a talented engineering team to architect and deliver impactful features. Engage hands-on in coding while mentoring others, ensuring technical excellence and shaping a produ...
6 days ago
Team Lead, Software Development
$110K - $130K *
Deliver impactful software solutions by leading a dynamic team in developing high-performance, GCP-based prototypes while fostering cross-functional collaboration and innovation...
Reposted 4 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.