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.
Staff Software Engineer - Test Automation & Infrastructure
$120K - $145K *
Build robust automated test systems for RF and satellite communications, ensuring reliable validations, reducing manual interventions, and enhancing development efficiency across integrated hardware a...
4 weeks ago
$90K - $130K *
Optimize mission-critical applications in a regulated environment, providing Tier 3 support and enhancing legacy systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure secure integrations and maintain high...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Compute
$196K - $243K *
Unlock your potential by building critical, large-scale distributed systems that simplify Kubernetes deployment for engineers, enhancing their productivity and experience in a dynamic, collaborative e...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer III, Programming Foundations
$168K - $227K *
Elevate your career by driving innovation in foundational toolchains and libraries. Collaborate across teams to enhance developer productivity and lead the adoption of Rust, shaping the future of soft...
Yesterday
Senior Software Engineer, Operating Systems
$185K - $210K *
Innovate and develop robust software for autonomous spacecraft operations, tackling complex challenges in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect and implement miss...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Manufacturing Test
$191K - $253K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of software engineering by enhancing automation in manufacturing tests. Tackle complex, multiplatform challenges and drive innovative solutions through robust anal...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
$123K - $164K *
Join a dynamic team to develop innovative embedded software solutions, leveraging your expertise in C/C++ and real-time systems. Collaborate across teams while managing projects independently, contrib...
6 days ago
$72K - $149K *
Lead the charge in enhancing software quality by developing and implementing automated testing strategies for voice/IVR applications, ensuring seamless integration into CI/CD pipelines and delivering...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - DevX
$190K - $267K *
Unlock potential by designing and building innovative developer tools that enhance software development processes. Collaborate across teams to improve reliability, usability, and scalability of servic...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$103K - $218K *
Lead technical initiatives in a complex COTS ecosystem, guiding software development and modernization efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance mission-critical systems while ensuri...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer II - LLM Observability
$250K - $280K *
Empower the development of AI observability capabilities, architecting data models and infrastructure while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user workflows and insights into AI sys...
1 week ago
Sr Hardware Development Engineer, AWS Board Core Design and Services Team
$183K - $247K *
Explore cutting-edge server technology with an interdisciplinary team, leading hardware development from concept to production while enhancing customer experience through innovative solutions...
Reposted 6 days ago
Software Development Engineer , Leo Secure Communications Team
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing secure satellite communication. Engage in all software development phases, collaborating with experts to design and implement innovative solutions for critica...
Yesterday
Software Development Engineer , Leo Secure Communications Team
$143K - $194K *
Shape the future of satellite technology by developing secure software solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, implement, and enhance software for critical satellite functions, ensuring...
6 days ago
Software Engineer II, Annapurna Labs ML Acceleration System Software
$143K - $194K *
Engineer robust software for cutting-edge machine learning servers, optimizing initialization and monitoring. Collaborate with hardware teams, enabling seamless integration and rapid deployment while...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, K&I Search
$174K - $253K *
Transform your career by tackling complex engineering challenges in software development. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance infrastructure and deliver impactful solutions that reach billions...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer II
$95K - $115K *
Reimagine software development by delivering scalable solutions in an Agile team. Contribute to all phases of product development, ensuring quality and efficiency while leveraging diverse technologies...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer, Amazon Foundation Security Services
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing security and compliance at scale. You'll design and build innovative access management systems, leveraging AI to optimize permissions for over 250,000 users w...
Yesterday
Principal Software Development Engineer - Data Cloud
$222K - $334K *
Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team to architect and enhance cutting-edge data processing solutions. Drive innovation in distributed systems while ensuring performance, scalability, and reli...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, Developer Experience (DevX)
$196K - $230K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing developer infrastructure by optimizing CI pipelines and build systems. You’ll collaborate with engineers to streamline workflows and improve onboarding, makin...
Reposted today
$144K - $180K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of rocket propulsion with a hands-on role overseeing design and execution of platforms for real-time analyzing of hot-fire test data, driving software architecture...
Reposted today
$144K - $180K *
Elevate your career by architecting scalable platforms that capture and analyze rocket engine data in real-time. Lead cross-functional teams to modernize systems, ensuring insight-driven propulsion de...
Reposted yesterday
$120K - $140K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of energy efficiency through innovative software solutions. Lead a talented engineering group in delivering high-quality products while ensuring operational excel...
5 days ago
$120K - $140K *
Lead a dynamic software engineering team, ensuring quality delivery and operational excellence while fostering collaboration across business units and driving innovation in energy efficiency solutions...
5 days ago
Software Development Manager, Airspace Management and Orchestraion, Prime Air
$184K - $250K *
Shape the future of drone delivery by leading a software team to develop scalable services for airspace management and mission planning, ensuring reliability and efficiency as operations expand...
2 days 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.