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.
$136K - $160K *
Elevate operations through AI-driven automation to enhance incident management, streamline ticket resolution, and optimize service health with self-healing observability, all while collaborating acros...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$154K - $260K *
Transform edge AI solutions by leading a talented engineering team. Drive the strategy for embedded systems and machine learning, ensuring impactful deployment of intelligent safety features for real...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Elevate your career by designing and delivering innovative video solutions across diverse sectors. Collaborate with teams to create scalable architectures that enhance broadcast, streaming, and cloud...
3 weeks ago
Senior Technical Account Manager
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing customer success through expert guidance in Privilege Access Management. Leverage your technical skills to support enterprise clients, ensuring seamless deplo...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Card Loan Platform)
$173K - $233K *
Empower innovation by leading the design and development of scalable, high-availability systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance our card loan platform, ensuring robust performance and driving imp...
3 weeks ago
Principal, Software Engineer - Marketplace
$143K - $286K *
Pioneer innovative cloud-native architectures and AI/ML integration, leading cross-functional teams to deliver scalable platform capabilities. Drive engineering excellence and mentor talent to enhance...
3 days ago
Software Engineering Manager - Enterprise Tools - (Remote)
$141K - $262K *
Empower your career by leading a dynamic team in software development, ensuring best practices and innovative solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive project success and foster a high-perfor...
1 week ago
Team Lead, Software Development
$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...
3 weeks ago
$96K - $148K *
Lead the charge in designing and building secure integrations for enterprise ITSM platforms. Analyze data flows, enhance system connections, and ensure compliance while delivering resilient solutions...
4 weeks ago
$126K - $160K *
Drive impactful software solutions by collaborating with sales teams, leading demos, and managing technical inquiries. Leverage your expertise to enhance customer experiences and support enterprise tr...
5 days ago
Horizon: Full-Stack Engineer (Senior)
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of maritime data management and AI. You'll develop cutting-edge applications and enhance warfighter capabilities through innovative data solutions...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Identity and Authorization
$135K - $160K *
Reimagine enterprise-grade authorization systems by designing scalable, secure solutions that enhance user access management. Lead architectural direction and foster collaboration across teams to deli...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer, Supply Chain Sourcing (Remote)
$120K - $190K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative software solutions while mentoring junior engineers. Lead development efforts, enhance product performance, and collaborate in a dynamic environment focused on gr...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Champion security excellence by driving secure SDLC practices, managing compliance, and leading incident response. Collaborate with DevOps and ensure robust risk management practices to protect vital...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Red Team Engineer - Frontier AI Security (Remote US)
$120K - $150K *
Lead the charge in advanced security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing security posture through hands-on penetration testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Mentor...
Reposted 1 week ago
Forward Deployed Agile Software Engineer (Washington, D.C.)
$120K - $145K *
Unlock your potential by collaborating with clients to design and deploy AI-driven solutions. This role blends engineering and client engagement, enabling you to tackle complex challenges and deliver...
1 week ago
$130K - $150K *
Join a team that's redefining cloud infrastructure by designing, automating, and securing enterprise platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement CI/CD pipelines and cloud-native so...
Yesterday
$105K - $126K *
Lead and optimize subcontract management by negotiating agreements, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with stakeholders to drive successful federal contracting outcomes while mentoring junior sta...
2 weeks ago
Principal Software Platform Engineer (Remote in Maine)
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by designing scalable platforms that enhance machine learning capabilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and operational exce...
Reposted today
Senior Security Operations Engineer
$133K - $209K *
Join a dynamic IT team as you safeguard cloud infrastructure, enhance security measures, and lead incident response efforts. Your expertise will drive continuous improvement and ensure robust protecti...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $170K *
Innovate with AI to enhance HR software. Design and develop scalable web services, lead initiatives, and mentor engineers while focusing on user experience and collaboration in a dynamic environment...
5 days ago
Sr Program Manager, Client Delivery
$155K - $180K *
Drive successful delivery of complex, multi-year programs in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage scope, budget, and timelines while ensuring client satisfaction an...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager, Consumer
$120K - $145K *
Empower consumer experiences by leading product strategy and execution for innovative genomics solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user satisfaction and drive adoption throug...
1 week ago
$159K - $235K *
Innovate detection capabilities by developing robust solutions to enhance security across corporate and marketplace environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to revolutionize threat detect...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform client experiences by leading a cross-functional team as a Senior Full Stack Engineer, driving technical solutions and product enhancements while operating independently during U.S. hours to...
Today
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.