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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$160K - $200K *

Innovate the future of multi-cloud infrastructure automation by leading a team of engineers to develop a unified platform that simplifies deployment, enhances security, and leverages AI for operationa...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$115K - $188K *

Elevate your career by leading programs that enhance QA processes and developer workflows, driving exceptional quality and efficiency in AI-powered experiences across a dynamic team. Your influence wi...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate your career by owning a cutting-edge software platform that connects environmental sensors to facilities teams, ensuring safety and livability in military barracks. Collaborate across teams to...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Elevate engineering outcomes by leading global software teams in semiconductor integration and testing, ensuring robust solutions through hands-on development and strategic alignment with product mana...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$155K - $200K *

Drive the development and management of software teams, fostering a culture of trust and continuous learning while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software products through Agile methodologie...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$198K - $326K *

Lead and optimize a high-performing engineering team to shape LinkedIn's foundational compute infrastructure, driving innovation and excellence in large-scale systems and cloud-native technologies for...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in shaping a new Technical Program Management team, guiding TPMs to deliver impactful results while fostering collaboration across Engineering and Product. Drive strategic planning and...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Lead and develop a high-performing engineering team through complex financial landscapes. Collaborate cross-functionally to make strategic decisions while driving technical credibility and team perfor...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's transforming financial technology by leading engineering in complex environments. You'll drive cross-functional collaboration, deepen technical expertise with AI, and develop high-p...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$115K - $120K *

Shape the future of automotive software by leading backend services and frontend features, utilizing AI tools and modern programming languages to enhance dealer technology solutions across our compreh...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading the strategy and execution of internal systems that drive operational efficiency and scalability, enhancing financial and academic workflows to support significant growth a...

1 week ago

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

$165K - $222K *

Transform your career by leading software engineering teams, optimizing technology delivery, and driving innovation to meet business goals across diverse environments while fostering a culture of incl...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$121K - $145K *

Champion innovative solutions by building custom software for partners, engaging stakeholders, and defining architectural roadmaps. Drive efficiency and customer success through collaborative developm...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$200K - $400K *

Transform customer experiences by designing and building robust systems for configuring, training, and monitoring AI agents, ensuring usability for non-technical teams while maintaining powerful funct...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate team performance by leading a Scrum team in developing and modernizing enterprise SaaS applications. Guide technical decisions, mentor engineers, and foster collaboration across departments to...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$159K - $215K *

Optimize integration processes to empower teams in utilizing Data and ML systems. Collaborate across functions to build solutions that enhance product capabilities, reduce friction, and provide valuab...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development of innovative software solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to create secure, scalable applications. Drive technical excellence while mentoring peers and enhancing...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$155K - $221K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of embedded systems by leading a skilled group of engineers. Drive innovation and quality in software development for regulated technology products while fosterin...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$185K - $230K *

Optimize the cloud backbone for an AI platform, ensuring reliability and scalability of the event pipeline. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance agent performance and maintain observabil...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$184K - $250K *

Innovate solutions that leverage GenAI to enhance vendor experiences and drive profitability. Lead a dynamic engineering team in developing high-impact software systems that transform Amazon Retail's...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$126K - $264K *

Join a team that's optimizing Data Center Operations across multiple sites. Lead teams in performance management, crisis resolution, and expansion projects while ensuring adherence to world-class stan...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $241K *

Transform engineering delivery by leading a dynamic team to optimize hardware development projects, manage third-party partnerships, and drive innovation while ensuring quality and efficiency across m...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $241K *

Lead a dynamic engineering team to deliver hardware projects, optimizing resources and managing third-party partnerships to align with business goals and enhance project efficiency...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in hardware development by leading a dynamic engineering group. You'll optimize resources, manage third-party partnerships, and ensure project success from concep...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead a dynamic engineering team to deliver hardware projects, optimizing resources and managing third-party partnerships. Drive innovation and efficiency while ensuring high-quality outcomes and align...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.