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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Director, Software Engineering & Development
$170K - $220K *
Tackle production-grade AI software challenges while leading a dynamic engineering team. Drive innovation, team culture, and quality delivery across a modern AI platform, fostering talent and effectiv...
1 month ago
Director, Software Engineering & Development
$170K - $220K *
Lead a high-performing engineering team focused on delivering AI solutions. Manage cross-functional roles while enhancing software practices. Stay technical to drive implementation and coaching. Promo...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Software Engineer - Platform
$189K - $231K *
Build next-gen AI infrastructure as a Senior Engineer, owning subsystems from design to production. Shape projects for enterprise clients by leading and mentoring engineers while tackling unique infra...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us to design and develop secure backend services and APIs that enhance platform capabilities, drive enterprise adoption, and support innovative solutions leveraging AI and modern architecture...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$150K - $225K *
Join us in driving the design and implementation of scalable systems, leading architectural decisions, mentoring engineers, and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver high-quality software soluti...
4 weeks ago
$160K - $230K *
Transform mission-critical applications by collaborating with AI engineers to enhance performance, scalability, and security. Drive technical excellence and mentor peers while navigating dynamic feder...
2 days ago
Staff Software Engineer, Continuity
$135K - $160K *
Elevate healthcare outcomes by designing scalable web applications that enhance radiology workflows. Collaborate with a dynamic team to develop robust backend services and mentor fellow engineers in a...
3 weeks ago
Virtual Platform Software Engineer, Annapurna Labs Machine Learning Accelerators, AWS
$143K - $223K *
Unlock your potential by building powerful models and infrastructure for high-performance virtual platforms critical for software development. Collaborate closely with engineering teams to enhance usa...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$146K - $282K *
Engineer high-quality software solutions, mentor team members, and drive architectural decisions in an AI-driven environment, ensuring excellence and collaboration across product development...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Manager, Analytics & BI Engineering
$137K - $185K *
Engage in transforming the analytics landscape, leading the development and enforcement of enterprise metric definitions. Drive consistent and impactful reporting across teams while building data trus...
4 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Elevate our engineering infrastructure by leading the design and development of scalable platform systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance, streamline deployments, and drive operationa...
2 days ago
Senior Product Management Operations Manager
$120K - $145K *
Champion data-driven decision-making by establishing a unified product metrics framework. Collaborate across teams to enhance product health insights, streamline reporting, and drive strategic initiat...
Today
Principal Technical Program Manager - Computer Vision
$180K - $220K *
Drive the strategy and roadmap for enterprise-scale Computer Vision solutions, collaborating with internal teams to define requirements and ensure successful adoption of AI models across product portf...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Product Enablement Manager
$160K - $170K *
Transform user experiences by creating impactful product education and training. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product adoption, streamline communication, and drive measurable user success...
Today
Staff Product Manager, Agentic Test Intelligence
$168K - $285K *
Lead the development of Test & Code Coverage capabilities, transforming complex challenges into actionable strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance software quality and streamlin...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate and implement robust disaster recovery solutions for enterprise DevOps, ensuring critical infrastructure recoverability. Oversee Jenkins, Bitbucket, and JFrog Artifactory environments while e...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate solutions in software development, driving impactful changes across applications and frameworks. Lead initiatives to enhance functionality, ensure quality, and optimize performance in e-comme...
3 weeks ago
$155K - $200K *
Engage as a Senior Backend Software Engineer, driving innovation in Go-based backend systems and contributing to the OpenTDF project, ensuring data security solutions for enterprise and federal client...
4 weeks ago
SME Information Technology Project Manager
$170K - $190K *
Oversee the technical planning and implementation of control systems, ensuring effective deployment and support for FRCS Petaluma. Lead project management efforts, maintain documentation, and provide...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Program Manager - Seller Experience (Remote)
$160K - $175K *
Lead transformative initiatives to enhance seller experiences, streamline processes, and drive measurable productivity gains. Collaborate cross-functionally to implement effective solutions that empow...
Yesterday
Project Manager II (Public Safety Software) - Remote
$80K - $95K *
Lead the planning and execution of Public Safety projects, ensuring timely delivery and effective collaboration across teams. Drive process improvements and maintain client relationships to enhance pr...
Reposted today
$125K - $150K *
Manage a talented engineering team, driving software development and community collaboration while maintaining high-quality standards and executing on ambitious goals effectively. Engage directly with...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$180K - $250K *
Innovate the design and delivery of cutting-edge SaaS solutions powered by data, ML, and AI. Own key technical areas driving high-quality product features through collaboration, backend development, a...
Reposted 1 week ago
$120K - $150K *
Engineer innovative embedded systems solutions, driving design and optimization from concept to production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and performance in the power i...
4 days ago
Director, Software Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Lead and inspire a blended team of developers to enhance AI-driven legal automation platforms, ensuring technical excellence, delivery, and collaboration across functions while managing architecture...
2 weeks ago
What does a Software Development Manager do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.