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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$110K - $130K *

Take ownership of electrical design processes for complex hardware systems. Drive integration and innovation while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and performance t...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$180K - $210K *

Lead the charge in engineering and executing a groundbreaking supercritical CO₂ power plant, overseeing all phases from design to commissioning while collaborating across disciplines to ensure success...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$98K - $148K *

Advance operational excellence by leading manufacturing improvements, optimizing resource management, and enhancing process designs. Collaborate with teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $122K *

Drive operational excellence by optimizing manufacturing workflows and capacity planning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product flow and implement lean methodologies, ensuring eff...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Collaborate with clients to lead transportation construction projects, ensuring quality, timely delivery, and profitable management while mentoring staff and maintaining strong client relationships in...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $193K *

Join a team that's redefining software engineering excellence by leading high-performing teams in building and modernizing enterprise applications. Drive technical strategy, foster innovation, and ens...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Unlock potential by designing secure distributed applications and protocols. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and reliability while mentoring junior engineers. Shape the...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $105K *

Join a team that's driving the execution of innovative software projects. You'll manage delivery planning, collaborate with engineering teams, and ensure successful product launches while navigating c...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of mission-critical hardware by leading cross-discipline engineering teams. Drive product development of high-power RF solutions while ensuring compliance, managing risks, and meeting...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $125K *

Empower and lead the design of innovative transportation projects, managing multidisciplinary teams while ensuring quality standards and fostering client relationships. Engage in business development...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Take ownership of system performance in a mixed OS environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to automate tasks, implement new technologies, and maintain high availability in production sy...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$104K - $140K *

Take ownership of engineering projects, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery while leading cross-functional teams and liaising with various departments to meet customer specifications...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$200K - $400K *

Transform the future of enterprise software by leading a dynamic engineering team, shaping technical architecture, and driving machine learning initiatives while remaining hands-on with critical build...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$100K - $120K *

Elevate engineering development for ADAS features, driving innovation through collaboration and advanced modeling techniques. Lead cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions tha...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$98K - $147K *

Join a dynamic team to design and test cutting-edge electrical systems for launch vehicles. Engage in cradle-to-grave engineering, collaborating across disciplines to ensure mission success while enha...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to lead structural engineering projects for nuclear facilities, guiding design efforts and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure innovative and safe solutions in a r...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$118K - $180K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of structural engineering by leading diverse projects, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with clients to deliver innovative solutions in industrial and nucle...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$118K - $180K *

Unlock your potential as a Project Lead Structural Engineer, guiding a team through diverse projects while applying your expertise in structural design and analysis. Collaborate with clients and mento...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $143K *

Innovate in metal lightweighting by leading design and R&D projects, creating advanced product designs, optimizing processes, and collaborating with vendors to enhance manufacturability while supporti...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $250K *

Engineer robust infrastructure to enhance our financial ecosystem. Drive automation, scale systems, and ensure high performance for critical trading APIs. Join our small team to make visible contribut...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$91K - $170K *

Lead the charge in complex product design and realization, ensuring manufacturability and production readiness. Utilize advanced technical expertise to guide teams through challenges and establish des...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Transform your career by leading complex product designs from concept to production. Utilize your advanced mechanical expertise to create manufacturable solutions while guiding teams through challengi...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $110K *

Drive project success by managing engineering initiatives from kickoff to delivery, ensuring quality and compliance while coordinating cross-functional teams and maintaining clear communication with s...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$220K - $292K *

Transform the future of security by developing software for advanced robotic systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance hardware verification and streamline user interfaces, ensuring...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $180K *

Lead the charge in structural engineering projects, guiding a team to design innovative nuclear facilities while collaborating with clients and ensuring quality deliverables. This role offers diverse...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

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.