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.
$145K - $175K *
Engage with cross-functional teams to develop robust robotics system software and observability applications, enhancing the da Vinci™ Surgical System's performance and reliability through innovative s...
6 days ago
$148K - $186K *
Join a team that's dedicated to designing and implementing innovative test solutions for complex RF electronic systems, ensuring operational excellence and customer satisfaction through collaboration...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Pioneer innovative software solutions for aerospace safety by leading the development of the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive design decisions...
1 week ago
$185K - $230K *
Optimize the cloud backbone for an AI platform, ensuring reliability and scalability of the event pipeline. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance agent performance and maintain observabil...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $134K *
Join a team that's dedicated to developing cutting-edge firmware solutions for laboratory systems in biodefense and life sciences. Collaborate with engineers to design, test, and enhance embedded syst...
3 weeks ago
$96K - $128K *
Drive product reliability by implementing advanced testing strategies and automation frameworks, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance software quality and efficiency in a dynamic, clou...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Back-End (Java)
$135K - $210K *
Unlock potential by driving the development of high-performance back-end services, ensuring reliability and scalability in a collaborative engineering team focused on innovative solutions to complex t...
Reposted 1 week ago
$85K - $158K *
Pioneer innovative software solutions for advanced fire control systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and integrate embedded software, ensuring reliability in a fast-pac...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer - AI Foundations
$184K - $258K *
Champion innovative solutions as a Senior Software Developer, driving scalable AI capabilities and enhancing product excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate software design, rel...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Manager - Software Development Engineering S 4D
$80K - $100K *
Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of developers to deliver high-quality software solutions, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving strategic project initiatives while fostering a cultur...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's redefining software development by leading design, testing, and implementation of innovative applications while collaborating with engineers to ensure system requirements are met an...
3 weeks ago
$143K - $194K *
Shape the future of silicon testing by developing software for DFT tests across a vast fleet of ML accelerator servers, transforming raw data into actionable insights and enhancing testing workflows f...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer, iOS
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by developing innovative iOS solutions that enhance user experiences. Collaborate with a dynamic team to build and maintain a platform that delivers engaging audio content to mil...
1 week ago
Senior Software Development Engineer in Test
$80K - $153K *
Elevate quality assurance by owning end-to-end testing strategies, driving automation, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions for a new business opportunity in a f...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform complex test engineering solutions by designing and developing advanced test consoles for aerospace applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality delivery and...
6 days ago
$110K - $115K *
Lead the development of scalable software solutions, mentoring a mission-driven team while tackling complex challenges in secure environments to enhance public services and modernize legacy systems...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Fullstack
$137K - $205K *
Elevate our radar software platform by architecting robust solutions, collaborating across teams, and ensuring high-performance systems thrive in dynamic environments for defense and automotive applic...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Advance technical excellence by leading software solutions, establishing architecture standards, and mentoring teams to enhance ownership and problem-solving skills, ensuring scalable and maintainable...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Autonomy Engineer
$82K - $245K *
Innovate cutting-edge autonomous systems for multi-domain vehicles. Leverage expert knowledge in task planning, robotics software integration, and AI-based algorithms to develop solutions for defense...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$135K - $169K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of software solutions by designing scalable, secure applications. Collaborate across functions to drive innovation in cloud-native platforms and AI capabilities...
1 week ago
Principal Software Development Engineer- Go
$185K - $265K *
Unlock potential by leading the transformation of infrastructure into a stateful management plane, ensuring reliability and scalability for a global fleet. Drive innovation through AI-driven practices...
Today
Senior Software Engineer - Platform Team
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by architecting and developing scalable systems. Leverage your expertise to mentor engineers and drive impactful initiatives in a dynamic startup environmen...
3 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer Intern
$66K - $99K *
Partner with us to build real-world software solutions as a Software Development Engineer Intern. Collaborate with experienced engineers, engage in the full development lifecycle, and enhance your ski...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer Intern
$66K - $99K *
Engage in real-world software development as an intern, collaborating with experienced engineers to design, code, and deploy impactful solutions. Gain hands-on experience throughout the software lifec...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Engage in the design and implementation of advanced software solutions, leveraging cloud computing and AI. Collaborate in a mission-driven environment to ensure the reliability and performance of biom...
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.