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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$110K - $130K *

Champion the execution of AI initiatives across the enterprise by overseeing project governance, planning, and cross-functional coordination, driving effective delivery from concept to measurable outc...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in establishing a robust project management portfolio, optimizing planning and execution processes at the Space Weather Prediction Center. Drive continuous improvement and support lead...

Boulder, CORemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$168K - $227K *

Join our dynamic team to design and develop open-source message broker systems. Collaborate with peers and project maintainers while leading system architecture and mentoring junior engineers to deliv...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of legal technology by leading multi-platform strategies, driving AI initiatives, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions that enhance operational...

Miami, FLRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$176K - $243K *

Empower innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI/ML systems. Drive architectural decisions, optimize model development, and enhance system reliability while collaborating with cross-functio...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$107K - $190K *

Innovate in the field of scientific software engineering by leading the design and development of cutting-edge Windows applications that drive advanced atomic force microscopy systems and enhance perf...

Santa Barbara, CARemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$94K - $179K *

Join a team that's dedicated to designing and developing high-quality software solutions. Lead agile projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure robust application systems that meet user needs and i...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$94K - $266K *

Champion MuleSoft implementations by developing clean code and guiding teams. Leverage expertise in Salesforce and API management to deliver enterprise-grade solutions while mentoring junior developer...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $200K *

Optimize our data infrastructure platform by enhancing automation, observability, and stability. Drive architectural changes to support long-term service requirements while ensuring high throughput an...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$186K - $257K *

Help us shape the future of lending technology as a Principal Engineer, driving impactful engineering initiatives and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance our Capital Marketplace systems for op...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$193K - $285K *

Empower the Security Engineering team by leading the technical vision for platform hardening across global operations, ensuring a secure and resilient delivery network through innovative practices and...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$125K - $150K *

Unlock potential by driving client success through expert system configuration, data analysis, and consultative training. Ensure timely project delivery while enhancing user experience and satisfactio...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $120K *

Unlock your potential by leading quality assurance initiatives across the loan origination lifecycle. Drive team performance, ensure compliance, and enhance operational efficiency while fostering a co...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$405K - $485K *

Join us to design and build innovative memory and search experiences that enhance user interaction across platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful products that prioritiz...

Seattle, WARemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion global software implementation initiatives, leading eLIMS-BPT and eELN programs across diverse sectors. Drive strategic project management, organizational change, and team leadership to ensur...

Lancaster, PARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Contribute to the development of a robust Kubernetes control plane, enhancing multi-cloud infrastructure and driving scalable architecture for enterprise-grade cloud services...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $135K *

Help us drive project success by leading teams in enhancing product areas, managing budgets, and ensuring quality delivery. Collaborate across departments to achieve project goals while navigating ris...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$125K - $135K *

Lead the charge in driving strategic project delivery across multiple squads, ensuring alignment with business priorities and effective communication among stakeholders. Utilize program management exp...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $150K *

Innovate and build across multiple surfaces, enhancing developer tools and agent products. Collaborate closely with a small team to deliver high-quality software solutions that drive enterprise adopti...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $200K *

Lead the charge in driving revenue through innovative pricing strategies and a high-performing engineering team. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance user experiences while maintaining technical...

Austin, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$96K - $145K *

Accelerate your career by supporting critical mainframe applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and resolve complex issues, while driving continuous impro...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $225K *

Elevate project success by leading multidisciplinary teams in nuclear design and program management, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance across all phases of construction and operations for compl...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$117K - $313K *

Drive impactful change by building highly scalable cloud infrastructure and CI/CD systems. Collaborate with a top-tier team to enhance performance and quality while participating in dynamic software d...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team, driving innovation and product development while ensuring quality and efficiency in facility design and technical support for sales initiatives...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$128K - $165K *

Lead reliability initiatives across complex systems, driving automation and observability. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational outcomes, manage incidents, and mentor engineers, ensuring comp...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.