Senior Manager, Software Development Jobs

Explore senior manager, software development opportunities on Ladders, where professionals can find vetted roles paying $100,000 or more. Senior managers guide engineering teams, shape technical direction, and help organizations deliver reliable software that meets business needs.

What Does a Senior Manager of Software Development Do?

Senior managers oversee software development teams and programs, translating organizational priorities into technical plans and delivery goals. Depending on the company, they may manage multiple teams, partner with product and design leaders, guide architecture decisions, and establish practices for quality, security, and dependable releases.

Common Responsibilities

  • Lead, coach, and develop software engineers and engineering managers.
  • Set team priorities, delivery plans, and measurable performance goals.
  • Collaborate with product, design, security, and business stakeholders.
  • Guide technical strategy, architecture, and modernization initiatives.
  • Improve engineering processes, code quality, and release reliability.
  • Manage staffing, budgets, risks, and cross-team dependencies.

Skills and Qualifications Employers Seek

Employers commonly look for substantial software engineering experience, a record of leading teams, and the ability to balance technical judgment with business priorities. Useful strengths include people management, strategic planning, systems design, clear communication, and experience with modern development practices. Requirements vary by organization, industry, and the scope of the role.

Find Senior Software Development Leadership Roles

Use Ladders to explore senior manager, software development jobs and discover opportunities that match your experience and career goals. Compare role requirements, leadership scope, and compensation details as you search for your next software engineering management position.

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$121K - $170K *

Lead the execution of Workplace Office Space Fit-Out projects, ensuring design integration and adherence to standards. Collaborate with clients and teams to manage construction activities, budgets, an...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$135K - $160K *

Engage with engineers to enhance developer workflows and tools. Own the product lifecycle from discovery to adoption, ensuring high-quality internal software that meets user needs and drives efficienc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$92K - $110K *

Elevate your career by managing technical projects from inception to completion. Ensure customer satisfaction through effective coordination and a customer-focused approach in a dynamic startup enviro...

CanadaRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Champion data-driven decision-making by establishing a unified product metrics framework. Collaborate across teams to enhance product health insights, streamline reporting, and drive strategic initiat...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining the Software Development Lifecycle and Developer Experience. Lead global strategies, build innovative offerings, and drive transformation for clients, leveraging expertis...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Drive product success with your AI expertise, guiding teams to deliver impactful solutions. Own product strategy from roadmap to metrics, aligning cross-functional efforts to meet customer needs and b...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $150K *

Lead the charge in driving program delivery and portfolio management for a dynamic Security team, ensuring effective execution of enterprise initiatives while fostering cross-functional collaboration...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$105K - $155K *

Champion innovation by developing advanced software solutions in a dynamic, agile environment. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality outcomes utilizing modern engineering practices and AI-e...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$500K+*

Pioneer the evolution of Netflix's Compute Platform, driving innovation in distributed systems and AI integration. Lead product strategy, enhance efficiency, and collaborate across teams to ensure rob...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$100K - $182K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming business needs into innovative software solutions. Collaborate with clients and developers to ensure high satisfaction and successful adoption while advanc...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$130K - $198K *

Lead the charge in building AI platform capabilities that power next-gen experiences, enabling teams to create scalable systems and multi-step workflows. Collaborate with engineers to develop reliable...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $185K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of test automation, driving quality and performance through innovative strategies and frameworks. Collaborate within an agile team to enhance product scalability a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$133K - $235K *

Drive your career with impactful cross-functional programs, leading initiatives from planning to launch. Collaborate with diverse teams to navigate complexity, ensuring successful delivery and continu...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $110K *

Lead the charge in driving new business growth across North America by identifying and securing opportunities with automotive distributors, resellers, and enterprise customers, while fostering long-te...

Nashville, TNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $175K *

Join a team that's redefining data solutions through innovative full-stack engineering. Collaborate on cutting-edge projects involving AI, big data, and efficient APIs, while fostering career growth i...

Chicago, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$90K - $110K *

Help us drive project success by managing AV integration projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and client satisfaction while fostering collaboration within...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $160K *

Drive your career with a strategic role in Product Operations, partnering with leaders to transform complex challenges into actionable insights, while enhancing cross-functional collaboration and leve...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive the evolution of our product operations by designing and implementing systems that enhance team efficiency, visibility, and collaboration. You'll empower product managers and shape the future of...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $130K *

Grow and lead complex multidisciplinary projects from initiation to completion. Collaborate with diverse teams and clients to deliver high-quality results while managing budgets, schedules, and relati...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$101K - $132K *

Contribute to impactful cross-functional initiatives, enhancing Agile practices and operational efficiency. Collaborate with leaders to drive strategic alignment, visibility, and effective execution a...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $120K *

Optimize building assessments and capital projects while leading teams and managing client relationships. Oversee project scopes, budgets, and timelines to deliver impactful outcomes in a collaborativ...

Victoria, BCRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $170K *

Execute end-to-end digital onboarding of complex AI data center infrastructure, managing cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, stability, and optimization of high-performance systems for p...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading a high-impact engineering team focused on observability. Drive technical roadmaps, enhance platform reliability, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating with...

Seattle, WARemote

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $165K *

Transform complex military software solutions by driving product strategy, aligning teams, and engaging stakeholders. Leverage your expertise to enhance operational intelligence and deliver impactful...

Ontario, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading product vision and strategy, driving customer insights to align with business goals. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring impactful outcomes f...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a senior manager of software development do?question toggle

    A senior manager leads software development teams, sets delivery priorities, supports team growth, and works with stakeholders to align engineering work with business goals. The role may also include technical strategy, architecture oversight, budgeting, and coordination across teams.

  • What qualifications are typically required for senior manager, software development jobs?question toggle

    Employers often seek significant software engineering experience, demonstrated people leadership, and strong communication and planning skills. Some roles also require experience with particular technologies, industries, or large-scale systems; qualifications differ by employer.

  • How is a senior manager of software development different from an engineering manager?question toggle

    Titles vary across companies. Senior managers often oversee a broader scope, such as multiple teams, engineering managers, or cross-organization initiatives, while engineering managers may focus on one team. Responsibilities depend on the organization’s structure.

  • Do senior manager, software development jobs pay $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Actual compensation for a specific role can vary based on location, company, industry, experience, and responsibilities; review each listing for available salary information.

  • Where can I find senior manager, software development jobs?question toggle

    Browse Ladders for senior manager, software development openings and review listings for role scope, qualifications, location, and compensation details.