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.
Principal Software Engineer, AI
$160K - $190K *
Design and build AI-driven agents for complex workflows, enhancing user experience and infrastructure. Collaborate closely with teams to ensure high-quality product delivery and continuous improvement...
Today
Engineering Manager - Platform
$210K - $225K *
Empower a diverse engineering team to build and maintain robust infrastructure, ensuring secure, scalable systems that enhance developer productivity and support business growth through strategic lead...
2 weeks ago
Supervising Application Engineer
$75K - $100K *
Optimize customer process control by driving sales and delivering innovative solutions. Collaborate with Account Managers to enhance service quality and achieve sales targets while ensuring customer s...
Reposted 1 week ago
Lead Engineer - Protection & Control
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of power infrastructure by delivering innovative Protection & Control solutions. Lead engineering projects, support reliable energy systems, and inspire your coll...
Reposted yesterday
Transmission Line Engineer Team Lead
$95K - $115K *
Lead and mentor a team in transmission line engineering, ensuring compliance with regulations and client needs. Oversee design, project coordination, and quality assurance while fostering a culture of...
Yesterday
Chief Engineer Principal - Software
$118K - $204K *
Empower innovation as you lead software architecture for a cloud-native connected vehicle platform, driving engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful solutions for...
2 weeks ago
Team Lead, Land Development (Subdivisions)
$110K - $130K *
Empower the Land Development team by leading subdivision projects from concept to completion, ensuring client satisfaction and regulatory compliance while driving business growth and fostering team ex...
3 weeks ago
Lead Controls Software Engineer
$140K - $180K *
Unlock potential by designing and deploying advanced PLC software for microgrid control, integrating diverse energy assets while leading the evolution of our U.S. controls team in a fast-paced, owners...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Accelerate your career by leading the design and development of cloud-native solutions. Drive backend engineering, mentor teams, and influence architectural decisions to enhance platform reliability a...
1 week ago
$90K - $113K *
Transform data management processes by bridging business needs with technical execution. Support data pipeline maintenance, ensure data quality, and assist in BI reporting to enhance operational effic...
3 weeks ago
$200K - $250K *
Champion the execution of groundbreaking turbine development through effective project management, hands-on leadership, and collaboration across engineering disciplines, ensuring timely delivery from...
Reposted 1 week ago
$89K - $148K *
Innovate within the Wind Global Machine Head Yaw subsystem team, driving mechanical design excellence for utility-scale wind turbines. Lead projects from concept to validation, ensuring reliability an...
5 days ago
$140K - $200K *
Inspire growth by leading a dynamic machinery team, driving business development, and delivering innovative solutions that enhance client relationships and project success while ensuring high-quality...
Yesterday
$200K - $260K *
Drive innovation as a Principal Software Engineer, leading the development of cutting-edge software for experimental design and AI research in neuroscience. Collaborate closely with scientists to enha...
Today
Lead Professional, Structural Engineering
$103K - $153K *
Lead multi-phase infrastructure projects by providing expert technical guidance, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality desi...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Empower innovative building designs by leading mechanical engineering teams. Drive the design of HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems across diverse sectors, ensuring high-quality deliverables...
3 weeks ago
$165K - $276K *
Champion the engineering execution of complex in-flight entertainment and connectivity projects. Lead multidisciplinary teams, develop strategies, and ensure technical solutions meet customer and qual...
Reposted 1 week ago
$165K - $276K *
Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver complex in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions. Drive project execution from design to certification, ensuring alignment with technical...
2 weeks ago
Lead Principal Mechanical Engineer
$146K - $306K *
Transform mechanical engineering by leading innovative design and development of complex systems. Drive reliability and performance through advanced CAD tools, while mentoring teams and establishing b...
1 week ago
$95K - $178K *
Engineer mission-critical projects by integrating technical, cost, and schedule data. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure compliance and successful delivery through effective planning and risk man...
Yesterday
$95K - $178K *
Empower your career by leading mission-critical engineering projects. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and drive successful project delivery through effectiv...
Yesterday
Lead Engineer, Structural Fabrication
$116K - $146K *
Lead the charge in engineering oversight for AP1000 module fabrication, ensuring quality and efficiency across multiple international plants while mentoring teams and driving continuous improvement in...
1 week ago
Lead Embedded Software Engineer
$170K - $250K *
Lead the charge in developing embedded firmware for advanced 3D printers, ensuring quality and timely delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and reliability w...
Reposted yesterday
$112K - $196K *
Explore the integration of engineering, budget, and scheduling for medium-sized projects. Lead technical excellence, manage procurement, and ensure quality while mentoring personnel and supporting pro...
1 week ago
$112K - $196K *
Lead the charge in integrating engineering, budget, and scheduling for medium-sized projects. Ensure technical excellence, monitor progress, and coordinate interdisciplinary teams to meet client crite...
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.