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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$140K - $160K *

Drive New Product Introduction programs, transforming R&D into scalable manufacturing. Collaborate across teams to ensure timely execution, risk management, and clear communication, while maintaining...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $180K *

Empower a high-performing engineering team by leading application development initiatives, driving operational excellence, and collaborating with strategic customers to enhance product realization and...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of global data centers by driving innovative planning strategies and managing complex programs that influence multi-billion-dollar investments and capacity delive...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$163K - $261K *

Lead a dynamic team to design, implement, and review software solutions, ensuring high-quality delivery and collaboration. Drive innovation by integrating emerging technologies and managing distribute...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Lead a dynamic QA team to enhance software quality and efficiency, implementing innovative strategies and AI technologies. Collaborate across departments to ensure exceptional customer experiences and...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $265K *

Join a team that's pushing the boundaries of technology as a Software Engineering Manager. Lead a high-performing squad to develop cutting-edge systems, ensuring top-tier performance and reliability i...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $260K *

Champion the quarterly software release process, ensuring timely delivery and quality. Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering and product teams to manage schedules, dependencies, and risks wh...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $260K *

Transform software delivery as a Technical Program Manager, overseeing quarterly releases from planning to execution. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure quality, manage risks, and drive critical...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $260K *

Unlock potential by leading quarterly software releases, driving cross-functional execution, and ensuring quality. Collaborate with product and engineering teams to manage schedules, dependencies, and...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by designing and developing embedded software for safety-critical systems. Lead technical efforts, mentor teams, and collaborate across disciplines to create reliable applications...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Engage in the development of safety-critical embedded software while leading teams, designing systems, and enhancing applications for heavy equipment and driver-assistance technologies. Drive innovati...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Champion a high-performing engineering team to enhance member experiences through innovative features and improvements, ensuring quality delivery and collaboration across Product, Design, and Data Sci...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$272K - $355K *

Transform backend engineering at a leading tech firm. Lead a team to build robust frameworks and libraries, enhancing product reliability and developer experience while tackling complex systems challe...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$185K - $210K *

Lead the transformation of document technology strategy, enhancing capabilities in document management, dynamic generation, and intelligent processing while ensuring compliance and operational excelle...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

The Sr. Project Manager is responsible for overseeing construction activities, ensuring projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget. This role involves managing client relationships...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$272K - $355K *

Transform backend engineering by leading a team to build robust frameworks and libraries. Drive architectural improvements, enhance developer productivity, and ensure reliability while fostering a cul...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$175K - $257K *

Transform software quality assurance by leading a high-performing team, establishing modern verification standards, and driving compliance across complex systems and automation platforms to ensure exc...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$242K - $275K *

Lead and elevate the Database Platform team, driving data architecture, reliability, and team culture for scalable data solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure data integrity and operation...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $270K *

Unlock potential by leading the architecture and engineering strategy for a cutting-edge AI platform. Drive innovation in scalable, fault-tolerant systems while mentoring engineers and tackling comple...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$130K - $210K *

Transform complex enterprise-scale programs by leading multifaceted workstreams, ensuring accountability and clarity while driving strategic initiatives in marketing and technology through AI and GenA...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$80K - $95K *

Advance your career by overseeing construction projects, ensuring compliance with budgets and schedules, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver successful outcomes in a dynamic envir...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$160K - $187K *

Grow your career with a hands-on Engineering Manager role leading a dynamic team to enhance an AI-powered healthcare hiring platform, ensuring quality, reliability, and innovation across multiple tech...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$171K - $286K *

Lead the charge in transforming pricing data systems, guiding a software development team to enhance deal validation processes while ensuring data accuracy and operational excellence for millions of c...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

1 week ago

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

$108K - $130K *

Lead cross-functional teams to drive program success, ensuring alignment with customer objectives while managing budgets, schedules, and risks. Advocate for stakeholders and deliver innovative antenna...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Empower innovation by leading cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional antenna solutions, ensuring customer satisfaction while managing program scope, timelines, and budgets effectively...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.