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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$130K - $179K *

Lead complex engagements and establish strategic relationships while mentoring teams and driving solutions in high-stakes Public Sector environments. Shape account strategy and deliver measurable impa...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Transform client challenges into innovative solutions while mentoring teammates and driving tech excellence. Collaborate in a dynamic, non-hierarchical environment to inspire and elevate product engin...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead innovative game engine development initiatives, enhancing performance and scalability through advanced coding practices while collaborating with industry leaders in a flexible, remote work enviro...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $150K *

Champion the evolution of identity security by leading product management for our core identity graph and correlation services, ensuring seamless integration and access control across platforms while...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $286K *

Drive the strategy and development of a cutting-edge Risk and Compliance Decision Platform, leading cross-functional teams to enhance risk assessment and decision-making processes across the Marketpla...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$120K - $145K *

Empower innovation by leading the design and delivery of scalable software solutions while mentoring developers and optimizing performance across multiple tech stacks...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Innovate and manage large-scale commercial programs, driving cross-functional alignment and revenue growth. Lead end-to-end program development, ensuring operational excellence and strategic execution...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$122K - $183K *

Transform the aerospace certification landscape by leading process development, ensuring compliance with DO-178C standards, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality softwa...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $120K *

Unlock innovation as a hands-on Software Engineer, driving Proofs-of-Concept and full software development cycles. Collaborate with senior engineers to explore emerging technologies while ensuring pro...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$85K - $120K *

Optimize the software development process by contributing to product-focused projects, addressing coding, debugging, automated testing, and performance enhancement to ensure scalable and efficient sof...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$172K - $225K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative fullstack solutions, guiding technical direction, and enhancing team capabilities. Collaborate across functions to deliver robust, scalable products while ment...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $195K *

Drive the development and maintenance of low-level CPU firmware and BIOS software, collaborating with hardware engineers and vendors to ensure reliable system initialization and booting across all pro...

Vancouver, BCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $160K *

Drive the customer experience for a leading finance app, ensuring intuitive, cohesive interactions across products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance usability, retention, and long-te...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Drive your career with a Senior Site Reliability Engineer role focused on building secure AWS GovCloud foundations for FedRAMP High and IL5, ensuring compliance and operational excellence while mentor...

CanadaRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the design and development of complex software systems, ensuring architectural consistency and best practices. Collaborate with teams to deliver scalable solutions while mentoring engineers and d...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI factory design delivery, leading multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful project execution from concept to handover while balancing quality, cost, and o...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$143K - $286K *

Lead complex technology initiatives by coordinating cross-functional teams, managing program delivery, and driving process improvements to align with business objectives in a dynamic environment...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

Today

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

$110K - $220K *

Lead complex technology programs, aligning deliverables with strategic goals while managing cross-functional dependencies. Drive operational excellence through effective governance, risk management, a...

Bentonville, ARRemote

1 week ago

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

$123K - $207K *

Champion the design and ownership of a robust People Data Access & Governance framework, ensuring responsible data access while partnering with cross-functional teams to navigate compliance and ethica...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$135K - $160K *

Join a team of expert engineers to innovate a Kubernetes resource management platform, enhancing DevOps productivity and addressing complex engineering problems in a dynamic environment...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leveraging diverse engineering skills to enhance control systems and data infrastructure, improving software practices and cloud operations across innovative facilities. Embrace un...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$136K - $181K *

Lead the charge in executing systems engineering activities across R&D, cloud, and AI platforms. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure seamless integration, compliance, and operational excellence in...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Advance your career by joining a dynamic team focused on delivering innovative enterprise solutions. Engage with a variety of technologies while supporting mission-critical systems. Drive customer suc...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$164K - $246K *

Elevate your career by architecting scalable ML infrastructure that powers model training and serving. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workflows and drive innovation in machine lear...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$130K - $155K *

Engage with cross-functional teams to manage complex risk reviews, ensuring compliant product launches. Leverage program management expertise to optimize processes and build trust with stakeholders th...

Seattle, WARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 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.