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.
Software Development Engineer, AWS
$143K - $194K *
Unlock potential by building innovative software solutions across diverse engineering domains within AWS. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance systems that impact millions, while mentori...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$79K - $143K *
Join a team that's redefining release engineering by optimizing CI/CD pipelines, integrating AI solutions, and ensuring high-quality software delivery through innovative automation and collaboration w...
1 week ago
$79K - $143K *
Drive the evolution of automated build and deployment systems, ensuring quality and compliance while integrating AI solutions into CI/CD pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance o...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
$90K - $120K *
Unlock potential by driving quality assurance through automated testing for APIs, web apps, and data pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust software delivery and maintain...
2 weeks ago
$143K - $194K *
Unlock innovative AI solutions in logistics by developing intelligent systems that enhance operational efficiency and decision-making for carriers, while collaborating with a dynamic team of software...
1 week ago
$83K - $155K *
Champion quality excellence in internal products and support new development. Drive audits, manage supplier quality, and improve standards to enhance reliability and performance across assigned areas...
4 weeks ago
$77K - $135K *
Engineer robust software quality by designing, executing, and maintaining test solutions. Collaborate with an Agile team to enhance automation processes, ensuring high-quality product delivery and cli...
4 weeks ago
$77K - $135K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality software through robust testing strategies. Collaborate with Agile teams to enhance testing processes, develop automation frameworks, and ensure...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Software Engineer, Structural
$120K - $145K *
Join a pioneering team where you'll innovate software solutions for framing and structural analysis. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, set technical direction, and contribute to softwar...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Software Engineer - Veza
$199K - $348K *
Advance your career by owning the identity architecture for workloads and agents, leading the design of ephemeral authentication, and shaping runtime authorization while mentoring engineers and collab...
6 days ago
SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEM ENGINEER
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading complex IT projects, managing multidisciplinary teams, and driving innovative solutions using Agile methodologies and cutting-edge technologies to enhance software systems...
6 days ago
Software Engineer, Early Career
$95K - $115K *
Transform core ad experiences by crafting impactful code that millions will see. Collaborate with diverse experts to tackle challenges, own projects, and drive the future of advertising in a dynamic...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Flight Software Developer
$112K - $140K *
Drive the development of safety-critical, real-time embedded software for complex aerospace systems. Collaborate with a team to enhance coding standards, mentor junior developers, and ensure high-qual...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Datacenter Modeling
$184K - $356K *
Join a dynamic team to design and build innovative software for accelerated computing systems. Tackle complex technical challenges, enhance engineering practices, and collaborate across teams to drive...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, Datacenter Modeling
$184K - $356K *
Innovate robust software solutions for accelerated computing systems. Tackle complex technical challenges, enhance engineering practices, and collaborate across teams to drive impactful results in a d...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, Datacenter Modeling
$184K - $356K *
Transform software systems by designing and maintaining solutions that evaluate data center performance, collaborating across teams, and enhancing engineering quality through effective testing and ope...
Today
Senior Software Development Manager, Verily Intelligence
$175K - $197K *
Elevate AI development by leading a high-performing team to build robust infrastructure for model serving and evaluation, ensuring reliable, self-service capabilities that drive innovation and efficie...
3 weeks ago
Full Stack Software Engineer 3
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of automation as a DevOps-focused engineer, driving CI/CD integration and infrastructure support. Collaborate with teams to enhance tools and troubleshoot complex issues, ensuring sea...
3 weeks ago
Embedded Software Senior Engineer
$112K - $169K *
Join a team that's transforming embedded systems for diesel engines. Leverage your expertise in software design, testing, and troubleshooting to enhance system performance and stability while collabor...
Today
$114K - $234K *
Join a dynamic team to design and implement distributed messaging systems that enhance performance and reliability. Leverage your expertise in cloud services to drive architectural decisions and mento...
Yesterday
$114K - $234K *
Lead the design and implementation of distributed messaging systems, enhancing performance and reliability. Collaborate across teams to shape architecture and drive improvements in cloud services, ens...
Yesterday
$93K - $117K *
Elevate your career by leading complex software and firmware projects. Utilize your technical expertise and leadership skills to deliver high-quality solutions, mentor engineers, and drive innovation...
1 week ago
$93K - $117K *
Unlock potential by leading complex software and firmware projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality. Collaborate with teams to shape product architecture while mentoring engineers and driving inn...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer innovative solutions in embedded systems, driving end-to-end development of prototype hardware. Collaborate in a dynamic team to define architectures, design systems, and enhance technologies...
4 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer 3- AI & Agentic Systems
$121K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI-driven technology by designing and implementing innovative solutions. As a senior technical leader, you'll drive major initiatives, mentor others, and ensur...
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.