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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1
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$84K - $114K *

Lead and inspire a high-performing team to excel in outbound sales prospecting. Drive strategic initiatives, optimize processes, and foster a culture of growth and inclusivity as we scale globally and...

Georgia, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $252K *

Unlock potential by leading test strategies for hypervisor performance and VM quality. Collaborate with teams to design automated benchmarks and validate deployment safety, ensuring high standards acr...

Ottawa, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$164K - $262K *

Take ownership of software architecture and development to create scalable, user-centric applications. Lead comprehensive development initiatives while optimizing performance and mentoring engineers i...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$140K - $180K *

Take ownership of complex software and DevOps engagements, leading multi-team efforts and ensuring successful delivery and commercial outcomes. Collaborate with clients and guide teams to achieve proj...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead engineers in delivering high-quality technology. Drive performance, resource planning, and best practices across the SDLC while fostering a culture of collaboration and...

Livonia, MIRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $205K *

Join a team that's driving M&A success by leading financial strategy, target evaluation, and integration planning. Collaborate with senior leaders to identify opportunities and execute critical phases...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$173K - $290K *

Champion innovation in product development platforms, driving strategy and execution for AI-first tools that enhance collaboration and efficiency across teams. Lead the evolution of platforms, ensurin...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$220K - $330K *

Unlock potential by leading high-performing solution engineering teams in Financial Services. Drive pre-sales strategies, mentor talent, and enhance customer experiences through innovative AI solution...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Shape the future of engineering productivity by architecting tools and patterns that eliminate friction in development workflows, enhance performance, and mentor teams to elevate their technical skill...

Orlando, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$83K - $118K *

Unlock your potential by leading complex IT/SaaS projects, driving execution, and enhancing business processes. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure project success while utilizing Agile methodolo...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$131K - $176K *

Shape the future of sales excellence by owning end-to-end seller experiences. You’ll optimize workflows, create impactful solutions, and directly influence our revenue systems through innovative produ...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Drive software engineering initiatives by leading teams to deliver innovative digital solutions. Define technology strategy, oversee development processes, and foster a culture of excellence and colla...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$220K - $265K *

Lead the charge in building a high-performing mobile engineering team, driving technical execution and culture. Oversee multi-persona mobile experiences, architecture, and release operations, shaping...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$208K - $234K *

Drive the growth of Honeycomb Private Cloud by leading a senior engineering team, enhancing customer relationships, and ensuring operational excellence across multiple engineering domains. Collaborate...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$168K - $177K *

Empower advertisers by leading high-impact projects that enhance campaign management, optimize platform health, and drive revenue growth through innovative backend services and APIs. Collaborate acros...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$130K - $219K *

Drive the vision for Samsara device installations, enhancing user experiences and ensuring rapid, accurate setups. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize the install process, making impac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Oversee quality engineering initiatives by enhancing validation practices, establishing scalable strategies, and improving release evidence in collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure robus...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$225K - $265K *

Lead and mentor a diverse team of backend engineers in EDR remediation, transforming insights into actionable product capabilities while managing scope and fostering collaboration across engineering t...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Inspire and elevate design excellence as you lead a talented team, setting and maintaining visual standards, driving innovative campaigns, and partnering cross-functionally to advance Dandy's brand an...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $240K *

Elevate your career by designing and building robust distributed systems. Lead architectural decisions, ensure reliability, and mentor engineers while tackling complex challenges in regulated environm...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $160K *

Lead the development of robust blockchain data systems, enhancing performance and reliability. Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful solutions that improve data quality and user experience while...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$285K - $320K *

Lead the charge in delivering Honeycomb Private Cloud, driving product growth, and collaborating across teams to enhance operational processes while building a high-performing engineering team to supp...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion partner relationships by driving acquisition, onboarding, and business outcomes. Own the full lifecycle of partnerships, develop joint plans, and measure results to fuel growth in a dynamic...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative solutions by leading complex transformation programs. Manage multi-million dollar budgets and drive effective program delivery, ensuring governance and seamless transitions across d...

Quebec, CARemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $130K *

Unlock potential by developing innovative software solutions using cutting-edge technologies. Collaborate closely with teams to create high-quality applications while adapting to new tools and process...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

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.