Explore senior software development engineer jobs with Ladders, where you can find vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Senior software development engineers design, build, and maintain complex software systems while helping teams deliver reliable, scalable products. Browse roles across industries, technologies, and levels of technical leadership.
These experienced engineers translate product and business needs into robust technical solutions. Their work may include designing system architecture, writing and reviewing code, improving application performance, troubleshooting production issues, and guiding engineering teams through complex projects. Many roles also involve mentoring developers and partnering with product, design, security, and operations teams.
Employers commonly look for strong software design and programming experience, expertise in relevant languages and frameworks, and a record of delivering production systems. Depending on the role, useful qualifications may include cloud infrastructure, distributed systems, databases, API design, automated testing, DevOps practices, and security. Communication, technical judgment, and the ability to lead through influence are also important at the senior level.
Senior software development engineers work in technology, financial services, healthcare, e-commerce, media, and other sectors. Opportunities may focus on backend services, mobile or web applications, data platforms, infrastructure, machine learning systems, or developer tools. With experience, engineers can grow into staff or principal engineering roles, architecture positions, or engineering management.
Use Ladders to search vetted professional openings with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare roles by technology, industry, location, and scope, then focus on opportunities that match your experience and career goals.
Senior MuleSoft API Engineer (REMOTE)
$120K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior MuleSoft API Engineer, driving API-led connectivity and integration solutions. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver secure, maintainable digital services while t...
2 days ago
Senior/Staff Backend Engineer - Distributed System
$150K - $180K *
Optimize AI infrastructure by designing APIs and resource management systems for GPU clusters. Collaborate with teams to enhance scheduling algorithms and ensure efficient resource allocation, impacti...
Today
Senior Software Engineer (Identity)
$170K - $200K *
Lead the charge in designing and operating high-impact identity systems, driving medium-to-large projects from ambiguity to delivery while ensuring reliability and quality across the enterprise identi...
4 weeks ago
$202K - $318K *
Accelerate progress at our AI-driven platform by leading a high-performing engineering team. Oversee technical direction, manage people, and ensure quality to deliver impactful agent experiences acros...
4 weeks ago
Senior Technical Program Manager, Infrastructure Programs
$130K - $170K *
Execute end-to-end digital onboarding of complex AI data center infrastructure, managing cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, stability, and optimization of high-performance systems for p...
Reposted 5 days ago
Staff Software Engineer, Containers
$205K - $231K *
Unlock potential by driving the technical direction and excellence of our stack. In this Staff Engineer role, you'll develop, mentor, and innovate within our Containers team, ensuring product quality...
Reposted 1 week ago
$137K - $231K *
Lead the charge in crafting impactful user experiences across multiple sectors. Drive design strategies, engage with customers, and collaborate closely with product and engineering teams to shape end...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$90K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as a Software Engineer II, collaborating with a dynamic team to design and develop innovative software solutions. Engage in agile processes, enhance your skills, and contribute t...
Today
Staff Software Engineer, Audiences
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in developing scalable audience solutions by integrating predictive models and data workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance audience activation and ensure reliabl...
5 days ago
(USA) Distinguished, Software Engineer
$169K - $338K *
Transform the future of technology by leading the design and development of scalable, AI-powered systems. Drive innovation, mentor teams, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating across d...
Today
(USA) Distinguished, Software Engineer
$156K - $312K *
Empower innovation by leading the design and development of scalable, cloud-native AI systems. Drive technical strategy, mentor engineers, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating across...
Yesterday
(USA) Distinguished, Software Engineer
$169K - $338K *
Lead the design and development of scalable, cloud-native AI systems, ensuring architectural integrity and operational excellence while mentoring engineers and driving innovation across teams to meet...
1 week ago
(USA) Distinguished, Software Engineer
$169K - $338K *
Elevate your career by leading the design of scalable, AI-powered software systems. Drive technical strategy, mentor engineers, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating across teams to de...
1 week ago
(USA) Distinguished, Software Engineer
$156K - $312K *
Accelerate your career by leading the design and development of scalable, cloud-native AI systems. Drive technical strategy, mentor engineers, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating acr...
1 week ago
(USA) Distinguished, Software Engineer
$130K - $260K *
Develop scalable, cloud-native AI systems, ensuring architectural integrity and operational excellence. Lead technical execution, mentor teams, and drive continuous improvement while fostering collabo...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer, Reliability Engineer- Order Up (Remote)
$120K - $190K *
Elevate your career by leading a dynamic engineering team to design and build innovative software solutions. Collaborate across functions to enhance product quality and mentor junior engineers while d...
1 week ago
$171K - $190K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of scalable data platforms. Drive innovation in cloud data architecture and pipeline automation, collaborating across teams to deliver impactf...
2 weeks ago
Senior Data Engineer - Analytics
$170K - $200K *
Join us to transform operational data into actionable insights through meticulous data modeling, clear metric definitions, and impactful visualizations. Collaborate across teams to ensure accuracy and...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$138K - $189K *
Champion audio innovation by developing and optimizing DSP software for embedded platforms, ensuring high-quality signal processing across diverse audio products while collaborating with cross-functio...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by leading data initiatives and shaping insights through collaboration with stakeholders. Drive innovative BI solutions, ensuring clarity and reliability in analysis, while guidi...
4 weeks ago
$70K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to resolving complex product issues through advanced analysis and collaboration. You'll mentor junior analysts, drive defect resolution, and enhance our knowledge base whi...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $185K *
Lead cross-functional teams to drive excellence in software development for a SaaS platform, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes while fostering a collaborative engineering culture. Inn...
Reposted 1 week ago
$92K - $115K *
Transform Technology operations by designing and implementing automation solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce manual tasks, and support continuous improvement across various teams and projects...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Growth & Experimentation
$100K - $300K *
Lead the charge in optimizing the customer journey from landing page to long-term conversion. Drive growth through experimentation, retention strategies, and revenue expansion while collaborating with...
3 weeks ago
Senior Cyber Security Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead the enhancement of security measures for cloud-based healthcare solutions, focusing on vulnerability management, incident response, and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensu...
1 week ago
What does a senior software development engineer do?
A senior software development engineer designs, builds, tests, and maintains software systems. They often make architecture decisions, solve complex technical problems, review code, mentor teammates, and coordinate with other departments to deliver reliable products.
What qualifications are typically required for senior software development engineer jobs?
Requirements vary, but employers generally seek substantial professional software engineering experience, proficiency in one or more programming languages, and a history of delivering production applications or systems. Familiarity with system design, cloud platforms, databases, testing, and technical leadership may also be expected.
How much do senior software development engineer jobs pay?
Compensation depends on factors such as location, industry, experience, and technical specialty. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including senior software development engineer opportunities.
What is the difference between a senior software engineer and a senior software development engineer?
The titles often describe similar work, and employers may use them interchangeably. Responsibilities typically include designing and developing software, though the exact emphasis depends on the company and team.
What career paths can follow a senior software development engineer role?
Experienced engineers may advance to staff or principal engineer, software architect, or other technical leadership positions. Those interested in people management may move into engineering manager or director roles.