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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$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in managing a skilled data engineering team, ensuring quality workflows and establishing data standards. Drive innovative solutions for efficient data ingestion and delivery across ent...

Harrisburg, PARemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$124K - $210K *

Drive customer success by leading a team of engineers to enhance GitLab adoption, develop scalable enablement programs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve measurable business outco...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$500K+*

Drive end-to-end delivery across technology streams, leading cross-functional teams to ensure alignment, transparency, and success in high-visibility projects. Collaborate with stakeholders and manage...

Edison, NJRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in managing IT infrastructure and systems while mentoring a dedicated team. Drive cybersecurity initiatives, oversee technology planning, and ensure seamless end-user support to enhanc...

Ohio, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$229K - $260K *

Transform the integration landscape by architecting robust connections between NodeZero and key security platforms, ensuring reliability and observability while mentoring engineers and driving technic...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by leading technical direction in autonomy systems. Drive ownership of advanced perception, prediction, and planning components with cross-stack influence, facilitating innovation and...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in defining and executing a comprehensive value stream vision, driving cross-industry adoption through innovative workflows and AI-enabled experiences, while collaborating with industr...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $275K *

Lead and optimize cloud infrastructure for simulation frameworks, driving team performance and technical strategy. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance validation processes and ensure robust soft...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$157K - $283K *

Take ownership of the design and management of high-profile ADA upgrade projects, ensuring effective execution, budget adherence, and client satisfaction while leading cross-functional teams in a dyna...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$220K - $290K *

Accelerate the development of autonomous systems by leading systems engineering strategies, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring rigorous safety and performance standards throughout the produ...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$123K - $169K *

Drive your career with end-to-end management of new product development programs, ensuring alignment across teams and delivering innovative solutions for critical digital infrastructure in a dynamic e...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$212K - $222K *

Champion client success as you lead Aera solution deployments, building trusted relationships with executives to drive value and Decision Intelligence roadmaps while managing project delivery and fost...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$177K - $257K *

Advance internal AI platforms, enabling efficient engineering workflows for scalable AI agents. Collaborate with teams to build and enhance tools that increase productivity and reduce toil across the...

Boulder, CORemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$166K - $238K *

Transform high-volume DNS resolver systems as a key engineer, driving exceptional performance in mission-critical environments. Collaborate with teams to develop services on AWS and OpenStack, ensurin...

Boxborough, MARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$116K - $145K *

Empower innovation by delivering resilient software solutions, driving data migration, and enhancing customer onboarding experiences. Collaborate in a dynamic team to build automation and support seam...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$158K - $248K *

Lead the charge in shaping cutting-edge AI solutions for clients by setting the technical direction, building innovative systems, and guiding product integration, all while mentoring engineers and inf...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining the Software Development Lifecycle and Developer Experience. Lead global strategies, build innovative offerings, and drive transformation for clients, leveraging expertis...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Transform the future of autonomous ground support equipment by leading product strategy and roadmap development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and reliability...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $159K *

Make your mark at the forefront of innovation as a Senior Technical Project Manager, overseeing proposal development, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring successful project execu...

Delaware, USRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$123K - $202K *

Innovate advanced GIS and remote sensing software for defense and intelligence, collaborating with a skilled team to enhance analytical workflows and imagery processing capabilities, while mentoring j...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$202K - $253K *

Shape the future of cardiometabolic care by driving backend architecture and cross-functional collaboration. Lead technical direction, mentor engineers, and deliver scalable solutions that enhance mem...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$138K - $165K *

Shape the future of AI products by leading strategy, vision, and execution. Drive innovation through collaboration and influence, ensuring exceptional value and responsible practices across diverse bu...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$138K - $165K *

Drive the end-to-end lifecycle of innovative AI-powered products, shaping strategy and vision while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver exceptional business and customer value through effectiv...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$388K - $500K+*

Drive impactful solutions for one of the largest CDNs by managing and optimizing our Open Connect platform through scalable microservices and data models, while collaborating with multidisciplinary te...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$120K - $145K *

Join us to drive innovative full stack solutions using Java and modern frameworks. Collaborate on mission-critical applications to enhance user experiences and support robust integrations in a dynamic...

Arlington, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

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.