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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$110K - $130K *

Elevate operational excellence by leading process improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean Six Sigma expertise to drive efficiency and innovation across diverse teams while influencing stakeholders fo...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$85K - $150K *

Deliver exceptional program management for electronic product production, ensuring alignment with customer specifications, quality standards, and timely delivery while optimizing resources and fosteri...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Inspire and lead two teams to enhance onboarding experiences for users and AI agents, driving adoption and activation on the platform while fostering growth and development within your teams and acros...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining the onboarding experience for human and AI agents by leading innovative UX and engineering teams. Drive growth through strategic roadmap ownership, hands-on leadership, a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $225K *

Champion the development of cutting-edge low-latency trade execution systems, collaborating with research and trading teams to enhance performance and drive innovation in a dynamic environment...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$140K - $210K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of API platforms and data standards. As a Product Manager, you'll collaborate across teams to drive product direction, enhance developer experience, and ensure im...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$133K - $199K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team of software engineers while driving strategic goals and cultivating an innovative workplace. Partner with diverse professionals to enhance workforce perfo...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$133K - $199K *

Shape the future of software engineering as you lead a diverse team to drive program success, cultivate workplace inclusivity, manage performance, and align engineering processes with strategic object...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Champion a high-performing engineering team to design and operate secure, scalable platforms. Balance hands-on coding with leadership, ensuring delivery excellence and fostering a culture of continuou...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$115K - $160K *

Champion program excellence by leading complex, multi-team initiatives from inception to delivery. Drive alignment, manage risks, and leverage data to enhance operations while mentoring others in effe...

Today

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

$110K - $130K *

Champion the transformation of data center campuses by leading innovative projects, aligning development strategies, and ensuring timely execution while exceeding client expectations and maintaining i...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$155K - $190K *

Empower our team by building scalable software solutions using AI workflows. Collaborate remotely to enhance stability, engage in code reviews, and stay ahead of emerging technologies while driving in...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$155K - $190K *

Transform the future of software development by building scalable, AI-augmented solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance stability, engage in code reviews, and stay ahead of emerging tech...

Toronto, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$168K - $227K *

Lead innovative software solutions by designing AI primitives and user services. Collaborate in a dynamic team to deliver high-quality products from concept to rollout, enhancing customer experience a...

1 week ago

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

$236K - $329K *

Advance your career by leading complex, multi-disciplinary data center projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to manage schedules, identify risks, and ensure timely delivery while maintaining budget...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Drive success by building and leading a high-performing BDR team. Own strategy, coaching, and playbook development to ensure pipeline predictability and team growth. Collaborate with Marketing and Sal...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead a high-performing BDR team, driving strategy and accountability to achieve pipeline targets. Develop talent, refine processes, and ensure alignment with Marketing and Sales for predictable outcom...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$230K - $270K *

Reimagine developer infrastructure by leading the strategy for core systems critical to engineer productivity. Drive impactful change and collaboration while mentoring future infrastructure leaders...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$138K - $165K *

Lead and inspire a diverse engineering team to drive innovative solutions, ensuring alignment with business objectives while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across mult...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$175K - $185K *

Lead high-performing software engineering teams to modernize customer-facing applications, enhance operational efficiency, and drive AI-enabled practices, ensuring alignment with business objectives a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$158K - $248K *

Champion the development of the product roadmap for Observability and Compute/Network teams, ensuring alignment with reliability goals, system health monitoring, and infrastructure management strategi...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$138K - $165K *

Champion innovation by developing cloud-based data solutions that enhance critical business applications. Collaborate with top engineering teams to create robust database services and streamline AI in...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$138K - $165K *

Elevate your career by leading complex product initiatives across technical domains. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive strategic direction into actionable plans, ensuring measurable out...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $180K *

Partner with us to optimize cross-functional technical programs, ensuring seamless delivery across multiple teams. Your leadership will drive agility, enhance communications, and contribute to operati...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$136K - $187K *

Lead the charge in defining and delivering middleware capabilities that enhance software integration and innovation across teams, ensuring a seamless connection between applications and underlying pla...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

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.