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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$185K - $195K *

Transform the future of fitness by defining and leading the product vision for AI Agents. Collaborate across teams to innovate solutions that enhance customer experiences and drive business growth in...

Ontario, CARemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$173K - $313K *

Shape the future of customer-facing applications and APIs by leading engineering teams to enhance DNS and IP Acceleration services, ensuring performance, reliability, and usability at Internet scale...

Cambridge, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$96K - $154K *

Develop and maintain quality software for internal stakeholders, focusing on Python and AWS. Collaborate in an Agile environment, define architecture, and mentor junior developers while enhancing lega...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$179K - $232K *

Drive AI-assisted workflows to transform design into production code, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance Thumbprint’s design system and tooling. Contribute to a greenfield project th...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$180K - $233K *

Engineer AI-assisted workflows that streamline design-to-code processes, enhancing collaboration across teams. Drive innovation in a greenfield project, creating a cohesive pipeline between design, pr...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$134K - $185K *

Empower HR processes by leading IT solutions development and governance. Collaborate with HR leaders to align technology strategies with business needs, ensuring effective implementation and managemen...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$135K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to architect and enhance scalable data pipelines, delivering actionable security insights. Collaborate across disciplines to support large data volumes and refine algorithms, makin...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Unlock the potential of enterprise systems by leading the design and architecture of innovative Java full-stack solutions integrated with AI. Collaborate with clients to translate technical constraint...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$115K - $130K *

Contribute to the development and optimization of robust applications using JAVA, SQL, and JavaScript, ensuring efficient data management and exceptional client support within a dynamic team environme...

Washington, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $145K *

Shape the future of operational excellence by leading engineering initiatives, driving program execution, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to enhance performance and deliver key operationa...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by leading software development initiatives and guiding a high-performing team. Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure cohesive delivery and operational excellence in a...

Davenport, IARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $118K *

Elevate the quality of software by designing automated testing frameworks and integrating AI tools for enhanced efficiency and accuracy. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure smooth delivery of hig...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate our DevOps capabilities by automating build and deployment processes, ensuring platform health, and enhancing monitoring tools. Collaborate with teams to implement secure, scalable solutions i...

Washington, DCRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at a dynamic engineering team, tackling complex technical challenges while delivering high-quality code. Own architectural decisions and enhance integration across services in a co...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $215K *

Join a dynamic team to manage technology partner relationships, ensuring integration health and driving revenue growth. Collaborate with engineering and commercial teams to resolve issues and optimize...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $190K *

Lead the charge in shaping data platform strategies and governance, driving innovative solutions and team development. Collaborate with partners to enhance AI readiness and ensure successful technical...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing a large-scale FHWA communications program, ensuring effective contract leadership, quality management, and stakeholder engagement across a multidisciplinary team to deliver...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$220K - $240K *

Transform your career by owning the backend architecture for a fast-growing product, enhancing system performance, and collaborating across teams to drive innovations in restaurant health analytics wi...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$80K - $95K *

Contribute to the development and maintenance of web applications by coding, testing, and troubleshooting programs. Collaborate with teams to analyze requirements and ensure high-quality, scalable sol...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$116K - $160K *

Accelerate progress at driving strategic initiatives within Operations and Member Experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions, enhance operational efficiency, an...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$122K - $227K *

Develop and secure AI/ML evaluation infrastructure, ensuring robust testing and validation of systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security practices and methodologies, driving...

New Jersey, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$131K - $187K *

Lead the evolution of secure software engineering by integrating security into design, development, and delivery processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement secure practices and dr...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$168K - $327K *

Lead the charge in shaping adaptive inference solutions, driving product strategy and integration for innovative AI applications. Collaborate with engineering and research teams to enhance developer e...

Santa Clara, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $200K *

Shape the future of cloud infrastructure by leading a team to design, manage, and enhance developer tools and platform products that empower users to seamlessly provision and govern their infrastructu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Transform your career by driving innovative cloud engineering solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance software development practices, troubleshoot issues, and improve system perf...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

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.