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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$139K - $163K *

Join our dynamic Customer Success Engineering team to lead high-impact engagements with enterprise clients. Drive strategic projects, manage key stakeholder relationships, and ensure successful delive...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Shape the future of projects by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring timely, on-budget delivery with robust planning and execution. Your expertise will drive communication and collaboration to ach...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$139K - $196K *

Lead the charge in managing complex cross-functional projects, ensuring alignment among stakeholders and driving decision-making for successful program execution from concept to commercialization...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$189K - $330K *

Champion the design and delivery of scalable global payroll systems, leading technical architecture and driving impactful features while mentoring engineers and collaborating across functions to enhan...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$125K - $187K *

Transform energy efficiency initiatives by leading a skilled engineering team. Drive project execution, mentor talent, and enhance program delivery across multiple states, ensuring impactful cost savi...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future by leading a cross-disciplinary engineering team to build a data-driven marketplace aligning cyber capabilities with operational demand, ensuring system integrity, quality, and custom...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Shape innovative software solutions by leading development and implementation. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product quality and drive improvements. Leverage expertise in various programmi...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Lead cross-functional teams to develop and enhance OpenBMC platform management software for high-performance networking and compute platforms, driving robust product development from design to deploym...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $115K *

Lead the development of scalable software solutions, mentoring a mission-driven team while tackling complex challenges in secure environments to enhance public services and modernize legacy systems...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$178K - $265K *

Innovate and elevate software solutions by leading cross-team initiatives and optimizing backend services, ensuring high-performance, reliability, and scalability while effectively mentoring and colla...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Empower your career by leading a dynamic software engineering team. Drive project success, streamline processes, and support sales initiatives while staying ahead of industry trends in Building Automa...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Shape the future of software development by leading a dynamic team, driving project delivery, and enhancing solutions through effective mentorship and architecture decisions while aligning technical s...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Build high-performing software teams that drive critical project success while managing technical architecture and mentorship. Collaborate with leadership to align solutions with business needs and en...

Overland Park, KSRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$176K - $200K *

Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI projects, collaborating with engineers to create robust systems that enhance automation and user experience while navigating complex technical...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$190K - $240K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and maintenance of secure cloud infrastructure for AI capabilities, transforming high-level goals into actionable engineering solutions while mentoring a team an...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Join our team to lead innovative software solutions, enhancing workflows and AI integration. Collaborate directly with customers, driving impactful projects while mentoring a small team in a dynamic...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Engineer robust, large-scale distributed web applications and cloud-native systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to rapidly prototype and deploy critical capabilities, leveraging modern arc...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Unlock potential by designing and developing AI-enabled software for CNE and vulnerability research. Collaborate with experts to deliver reliable solutions, mentor engineers, and enhance research work...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on transforming infrastructure data into actionable insights, enhancing operational efficiency through innovative streaming analytics and robust ETL...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Champion the design and delivery of AI-enabled software for vulnerability research, integrating complex features and subsystems while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance research work...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$207K - $230K *

Empower the future of spacecraft production by leading Test Operations, overseeing technician development, and optimizing processes for efficiency and safety in a dynamic environment. Drive operationa...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$188K - $235K *

Develop AI-powered systems from concept to production, collaborating with clients to identify needs, prototype solutions, and ensure quality. Engage closely with users to iterate and enhance product f...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $225K *

Elevate healthcare innovation by leading a team of data engineers and architects. Own the enterprise data model, ensuring accuracy and integration of clinical and genomic data for impactful AI-driven...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$136K - $204K *

Lead the charge in guiding product development from concept to launch. Collaborate across teams to ensure competitive positioning and a customer-focused approach. Shape product vision and strategy whi...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$131K - $181K *

Empower product development by managing the entire lifecycle, from concept to launch. Collaborate cross-functionally to define market strategies, enhance customer experiences, and drive product succes...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information 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.