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.
$80K - $95K *
Unlock quality assurance excellence by developing and executing test plans, ensuring compliance with federal standards, and validating performance metrics for a critical IT modernization project...
2 days ago
$100K - $140K *
Join us in transforming digital services for Veterans. As a Senior Designer, you'll lead user experience initiatives, conduct research, and shape information architecture for a large digital portal, e...
Reposted today
Lead Forward Deployed Engineer
$195K - $362K *
Transform complex customer needs into scalable solutions by leading technical deployments, integrations, and automation. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive value and enhance operational efficiency...
3 weeks ago
$229K - $258K *
Empower a dynamic engineering team to deliver innovative security tools. Own product development from roadmap to rollout, fostering collaboration and driving results in a fast-paced environment focuse...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Virtual Machines
$207K - $300K *
Empower a dynamic team driving high-impact projects in distributed systems. Lead design, analysis, and troubleshooting efforts while ensuring seamless integration in a secure environment, fostering co...
4 weeks ago
Senior Strategic Automation Project Manager
$115K - $150K *
Engage in strategic automation initiatives to enhance manufacturing capabilities, leading complex projects from concept to execution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and al...
2 weeks ago
Automation Engineer - Data Governance
$107K - $204K *
Transform data governance by designing and developing automation solutions that enhance metadata management and data quality processes, collaborating with cross-functional teams to align engineering e...
Yesterday
$150K - $160K *
Champion cloud and application security by enhancing AWS practices, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement to ensure secure and compliant environments...
3 weeks ago
Senior Infrastructure Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing and enhancing infrastructure solutions across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. Collaborate with teams and vendors to ensure security, reliability, and performa...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Enterprise Data Warehouse (Remote)
$120K - $190K *
Unlock your potential as a senior technical leader, designing and operating enterprise-scale data platforms. Drive modernization, mentor engineers, and ensure analytical correctness while tackling com...
3 weeks ago
$98K - $125K *
Elevate progress at Cisco by designing and delivering impactful training programs that enhance the skills of technical sales professionals, driving success across diverse technology domains and foster...
Reposted today
$125K - $150K *
Transform the DevOps landscape by leading infrastructure automation, fostering collaboration, and championing best practices across teams, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient cloud solutions that...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Site Reliability Engineering Manager
$114K - $190K *
Build a resilient Site Reliability Engineering practice, leading a global team to enhance cloud platform reliability, scalability, and operational excellence while fostering collaboration and continuo...
1 week ago
$145K - $170K *
Join a team that's shaping healthcare innovation through AI-driven voice solutions. Lead a distributed engineering team to deliver high-quality software and collaborate with cross-functional stakehold...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
DAF365 JML Lead Engineer (Study 3) (REMOTE)
$120K - $145K *
Transform the DAF365 JML process by leading the design and implementation of an automated identity management framework, enhancing operational efficiency and security through innovative architecture a...
5 days ago
$180K - $200K *
Elevate the engineering department by driving delivery, managing teams, and ensuring production quality. Lead hands-on development while fostering innovation in AI-driven systems to enhance operationa...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading the design of innovative applications that empower network teams. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create user-centric solutions, transforming complex data into i...
2 weeks ago
Senior Revenue Operations Program Manager
$145K - $160K *
Drive strategic initiatives by leading complex, cross-functional projects that align stakeholders and transform business priorities into actionable plans, ensuring successful execution across Revenue...
3 weeks ago
Lead Software Engineer - Merchandising Technology (REMOTE)
$95K - $158K *
Lead innovative solutions in Merchandising Technology, driving design, implementation, and support for our Inventory 360 initiative while mentoring team members and collaborating with cross-functional...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior GIS Developer - Spatial Data & Integration
$66K - $106K *
Champion the integration of marine and anadromous species data by leading the production of federal species range maps, ensuring compliance with established standards and facilitating collaboration wi...
3 weeks ago
$145K - $175K *
Transform your career by architecting secure, scalable Azure solutions that drive modern application delivery. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop automation and enhance cloud services while lev...
4 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - Automation
$125K - $150K *
Champion innovative automation solutions in warehouse management. Lead complex integrations and guide engineering teams to enhance material handling processes. Collaborate on the Global Automation Roa...
1 week ago
Principal Platform/Software Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in designing and implementing innovative software systems for cutting-edge healthcare SaaS platforms, driving technical excellence and strategic collaboration across teams to achieve i...
Reposted 1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic Reliability team as a Senior Database Engineer, enhancing database performance and reliability. Collaborate across engineering to optimize distributed databases, ensuring high availabil...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer II, Fullstack (Ads Platform)
$146K - $206K *
Unlock potential by leading software projects, collaborating with teams, and ensuring timely delivery while supporting product development and operational excellence in a dynamic environment...
2 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.