Explore Software Development Manager Jobs

Software Development Managers lead engineering teams that design, build, test, and maintain software products and platforms. They connect technical execution with business priorities, helping teams deliver reliable, valuable software while fostering an environment where engineers can do their best work. Explore vetted Software Development Manager opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.

What Does a Software Development Manager Do?

Responsibilities vary by company and team, but commonly include hiring and developing engineers, setting goals and delivery plans, coordinating projects, and partnering with product, design, security, and operations teams. Managers may also guide architecture and technical decisions, monitor quality and delivery risks, and communicate progress to stakeholders. The balance between people leadership and hands-on technical work depends on the organization.

Skills and Qualifications Employers Look For

Employers often seek experience leading software teams and delivering production systems, along with a strong understanding of software development practices. Helpful strengths include coaching and feedback, project planning, prioritization, clear communication, and cross-functional collaboration. Familiarity with areas such as cloud platforms, distributed systems, DevOps, security, or agile methods may be important depending on the role.

Career Paths and Opportunities

Software Development Managers work across industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, retail, and enterprise services. Experienced leaders may progress to senior engineering management, director or vice president roles, or broader technology leadership positions. Some also move into product-focused or technical strategy roles, drawing on their experience guiding teams and delivering software.

Find Your Next Software Development Manager Role

Use Ladders to explore Software Development Manager openings with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare role scope, team responsibilities, technical expectations, and compensation details to identify opportunities that fit your leadership experience and career goals. Tailor your resume to highlight team outcomes, delivery impact, and the scale or complexity of the systems you have helped build.

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$132K - $264K *

Optimize platform engineering by delivering scalable, cloud-native solutions and AI/ML frameworks. Lead cross-functional teams through the software development lifecycle, ensuring high availability an...

Bellevue, WARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$110K - $130K *

Empower project success by managing financial coordination, stakeholder relationships, and full-lifecycle oversight. Drive effective communication and risk management while adapting to changing priori...

St. Louis, MORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $240K *

Elevate your career by designing and building robust distributed systems. Lead architectural decisions, ensure reliability, and mentor engineers while tackling complex challenges in regulated environm...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$124K - $170K *

Lead the charge in innovative software solutions for healthcare, collaborating with diverse teams to enhance patient care and meet customer needs through cutting-edge technology and creative problem-s...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$56K - $114K *

Drive the development and support of applications and systems, ensuring quality and performance through coding, testing, and troubleshooting. Collaborate with teams to enhance software solutions and m...

Lansing, MIRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$162K - $290K *

Shape the technical direction of a geospatial platform, building scalable systems and APIs that enhance location-aware experiences across products, while collaborating with teams to drive innovation a...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $193K *

Engineer and enhance observability platforms to deliver actionable insights into user experience. Lead cross-functional teams to optimize performance, reliability, and automation across diverse techno...

Eden Prairie, MNRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$152K - $190K *

Develop high-performance networking solutions using Rust for a secure client connector. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance code quality and implement impactful features while addressin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $180K *

Innovate with us as you lead technical delivery for enterprise data integration and migration projects, focusing on Higher Education and Salesforce ecosystems. Drive solution architecture, manage team...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$143K - $286K *

Champion innovative solutions by leading cross-functional teams in delivering scalable, AI-enhanced software systems. Drive the full software lifecycle while ensuring high-quality outcomes and fosteri...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$143K - $286K *

Shape the future of scalable platform engineering by leading cross-functional teams in delivering innovative, cloud-native solutions that integrate AI/ML technologies, ensuring high availability and o...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$143K - $286K *

Transform the future of technology by driving AI-powered reliability and automation. Own platform scalability and observability while enhancing customer support excellence through innovative solutions...

Bentonville, ARRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$143K - $286K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in software engineering and reliability. You'll build AI-powered tools, enhance platform observability, and ensure service reliability while collaborating cross-f...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$90K - $180K *

Shape the future of smart entertainment technology by leading the design and integration of scalable software solutions for HDMI-CEC and device interoperability, driving innovation and enhancing custo...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$110K - $130K *

Optimize onboarding excellence by designing impactful programs that accelerate new sales hires' productivity and ramp times in a high-growth tech environment. Collaborate across teams to ensure practi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $150K *

Drive the technical direction and hands-on leadership of a diverse Business Systems Development team, focusing on Salesforce and integration development to deliver scalable business solutions across o...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's innovating robust applications by leveraging your expertise in React and Python/Django. You'll drive technical initiatives, enhance user experiences, and lead high-impact projects t...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Build high-performing software teams that drive critical project success while managing technical architecture and mentorship. Collaborate with leadership to align solutions with business needs and en...

Overland Park, KSRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$149K - $198K *

Advance data infrastructure by designing and implementing robust systems for data processing, discovery, and lineage, empowering engineering teams to leverage expansive data for machine learning and a...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$140K - $173K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of software engineering by leading the design and implementation of innovative platforms, driving full-stack development, and mentoring teams to achieve technical...

Portland, MERemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Champion the seamless execution of complex AI and Cloud projects, ensuring timely delivery and stakeholder satisfaction. Leverage your project management skills to coordinate multiple initiatives in a...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in designing and deploying AI systems that enhance productivity and customer experience across multiple departments, driving innovation and efficiency through advanced AI capabilities...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Lead product strategy and execution for a suite of wargaming tools, collaborating with users and engineers to transform complex technical capabilities into impactful solutions in high-stakes environme...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $150K *

Lead the charge in driving program delivery and portfolio management for a dynamic Security team, ensuring effective execution of enterprise initiatives while fostering cross-functional collaboration...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $130K *

Shape the future of project management by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring timely delivery of key projects, and fostering collaboration across departments to achieve desired outcomes and drive...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Software Development Manager do?question toggle

    A Software Development Manager leads software engineers and coordinates the planning, development, and delivery of software. The role typically combines team leadership, project execution, stakeholder communication, and technical oversight.

  • What qualifications are commonly required for Software Development Manager jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but employers commonly look for a background in software engineering, experience delivering production software, and a record of leading or mentoring technical teams. Some roles also request experience with specific platforms, architecture, or development methods.

  • How much do Software Development Manager jobs pay?question toggle

    Compensation varies based on location, industry, company size, experience, and role scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, so explore current listings for salary information and details.

  • What skills are important for a Software Development Manager?question toggle

    Important skills often include people management, coaching, prioritization, project planning, communication, and cross-functional collaboration. Technical judgment and familiarity with the organization’s software stack and delivery practices are also valuable.

  • What career growth can follow a Software Development Manager role?question toggle

    Potential paths include senior engineering manager, director of engineering, vice president of engineering, or other technology leadership roles. Career options depend on a person's strengths, experience, and the organization’s structure.