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.
$143K - $286K *
Transform the software landscape by leading scalable platform development, mentoring teams, and driving innovation in cloud-native architectures and AI/ML integration to enhance engineering productivi...
3 weeks ago
$143K - $286K *
Join a team that drives innovative software solutions by overseeing the full development lifecycle, from coding to deployment, and integrating advanced AI/ML components for scalable cloud-native archi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Sr Data Scientist, Finance, Brokerage & Market Risk
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of finance by optimizing data pipelines, enhancing reporting systems, and collaborating with stakeholders. Drive insights and analytics to improve financial proce...
Reposted 1 week ago
Staff Attack Engineer, External
$238K - $280K *
Lead the charge in developing autonomous attack workflows for external surfaces, leveraging your expertise to enhance reconnaissance capabilities and mentor engineers while driving strategic technical...
1 week ago
Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer I
$100K - $123K *
Unlock potential by leading supplier audits and performance evaluations. Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure compliance with industry standards while fostering str...
2 weeks ago
Staff, Software Engineer - Full Stack
$143K - $286K *
Help us drive innovation as you lead the design and development of scalable platform capabilities, enhancing engineering productivity and ensuring alignment with architectural standards across teams i...
4 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive the development and integration of advanced nuclear energy systems by applying systems engineering methods to translate objectives into clear, verifiable requirements and solutions, while collab...
6 days ago
Senior Subject Matter Expert (Mechanical) - Rolling Stock Engineering
$165K - $193K *
Drive the future of rail engineering by managing complex rolling stock projects. Leverage your expertise in vehicle design and modifications to ensure quality and compliance while mentoring teams and...
2 weeks ago
Full-Stack Software Engineer (AI-Native)
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to design and build backend services, APIs, and AI-native workflows, optimizing energy solutions. Collaborate with product teams to deliver innovative features and scale developmen...
5 days ago
$125K - $140K *
Optimize user experiences by crafting seamless flows, building APIs, and integrating third-party software. Collaborate with teams to design robust systems and deliver elegant solutions while ensuring...
3 weeks ago
Senior Tier 3 Engineer - Calix Cloud
$72K - $140K *
Accelerate customer success by owning escalated technical issues, collaborating across teams, and mentoring support engineers. Drive product improvements and ensure high-quality support for Calix Clou...
2 weeks ago
AI-Native Senior Product Manager
$120K - $145K *
Drive product success with your AI expertise, guiding teams to deliver impactful solutions. Own product strategy from roadmap to metrics, aligning cross-functional efforts to meet customer needs and b...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Staff Data Engineer, Core Migrations
$230K - $260K *
Lead the charge in client migrations, owning the entire technical lifecycle from legacy analysis to deployment, ensuring precision and collaboration across teams for optimal outcomes...
Reposted yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Empower our team by utilizing your 7+ years of Java expertise with AWS and Angular or Spring, driving successful web solutions and fostering collaboration in an Agile environment...
Reposted 1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Search)
$204K - $290K *
Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team to enhance search and recommendation systems, driving consumer engagement and merchant value through innovative technical strategies and collaborative projec...
3 weeks ago
Lead QA Engineer, Enterprise Platform
$120K - $145K *
Pioneer the development of secure platform capabilities for enterprise clients, collaborating across teams to define product scope, manage complex requirements, and ensure successful delivery in highl...
1 week ago
Senior Frontend Engineer I - eCommerce
$145K - $170K *
Join a dynamic eCommerce team to enhance the online booking experience. Lead complex features in a Next.js and TypeScript application, impacting conversion and patient trust across multiple countries...
2 weeks ago
Staff Site Reliability Engineer
$200K - $285K *
Join a team that's pivotal in ensuring our cloud infrastructure is reliable and scalable. You will build, operate, and enhance production systems using Kubernetes, AWS, and automation, making an impac...
Reposted 6 days ago
Sr.DSP Engineer (Remote with Travel)
$135K - $160K *
Advance innovative DSP solutions for RF communications, collaborating across teams to optimize algorithms and implement on cutting-edge platforms. Drive performance and reliability in mission-critical...
3 days ago
(USA) Director, Software Engineering
$169K - $338K *
Elevate software engineering excellence by leading complex AI/ML systems, ensuring scalability and reliability. Drive full development lifecycles, foster high-performing teams, and align technology ro...
Today
Staff Enterprise Developer Advocate
$171K - $235K *
Develop and lead education-first technical sessions within enterprise accounts, fostering collaboration with engineers to build champions, enhance user knowledge, and uncover opportunities for expansi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Financial Platform
$163K - $204K *
Lead the charge in building and owning critical financial systems, ensuring reliable money movement and asset flow. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver production-ready solutions while...
3 weeks ago
Federal Senior Principal Engineer, Solutions Architecture - SOCOM
$135K - $160K *
Advance your career by joining a dynamic team focused on delivering innovative enterprise solutions. Engage with a variety of technologies while supporting mission-critical systems. Drive customer suc...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Sales Solution Engineer
$125K - $138K *
Elevate customer experience by leading technical engagement during pre-sales. Utilize deep knowledge to craft solutions, mentor peers, and ensure seamless transitions, while remaining adaptable in a f...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Engineer - Software Defined Networking (SDN)
$148K - $201K *
Lead the charge in enhancing software-defined networking capabilities by assessing, modernizing, and securing codebases. Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to ensure robust, maintainable soft...
3 weeks 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.