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.
$100K - $135K *
Transform healthcare by developing cloud-native solutions that enhance radiology workflows. As a Senior Software Developer, you'll lead full-stack projects on AWS, ensuring quality and security while...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer III, MuleSoft
$127K - $213K *
Transform integration solutions by designing and developing robust MuleSoft applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality delivery and optimize performance while mentori...
Yesterday
Senior Engineering Manager, Containers
$150K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to drive technical vision and operational excellence in cloud-native platforms. Lead engineering efforts, champion security practices, and empower talent while ensuring system stab...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Open Source (RD217)
$148K - $201K *
Empower the development of our open source software solutions while collaborating with engineers and community contributors. Leverage your cloud native expertise to enhance mission outcomes through in...
Reposted 3 days ago
$110K - $120K *
Lead the charge in quality engineering for critical assessment platforms, driving testing excellence and automation maturity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and scalabil...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Technical Lead
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in technical direction and agile processes while mentoring a high-performing software engineering team. Your problem-solving skills will drive the development of scalable, secure solut...
Reposted today
Principal Software Development Engineer in Test (Performance & Bare-Metal)
$140K - $252K *
Unlock potential by leading test strategies for hypervisor performance and VM quality. Collaborate with teams to design automated benchmarks and validate deployment safety, ensuring high standards acr...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead engineers in delivering high-quality technology. Drive performance, resource planning, and best practices across the SDLC while fostering a culture of collaboration and...
3 days ago
Technical Manager, Software Platform
$150K - $180K *
Empower an engineering team to enhance the software development lifecycle. Lead initiatives in developer experience, cloud services, and operational reliability, driving collaboration and innovation w...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Technical Product Manager
$153K - $213K *
Champion the development of a key platform, driving strategy, success metrics, and technical depth while collaborating across teams to deliver impactful solutions that meet customer needs and enhance...
2 weeks ago
Technical Lead Manager, Developer Platform
$180K - $220K *
Empower developers as you lead a small team building tools, APIs, and integrations for a platform that enhances creator engagement. Balance hands-on engineering and management while driving technical...
1 month ago
$90K - $100K *
Transform software delivery by managing cross-functional teams, aligning sprints, and optimizing project timelines. Drive clarity in processes and foster collaboration to ensure successful product exe...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Engineer (Technical Leadership) - Central Growth
$175K - $210K *
Innovate and lead the technical vision for large-scale product systems, driving cross-functional initiatives and engineering excellence while mentoring teams to enhance growth and impact across multip...
1 week ago
Software Engineering Team Manager
$125K - $150K *
Transform the engineering landscape by leading modernization efforts for a data platform, ensuring reliability and security while integrating AI capabilities. Drive team performance and quality standa...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Platform
$187K - $220K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI in IT Operations. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll design and build innovative platform capabilities, driving impactful solutions and collaborating dir...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Behavior Planning
$130K - $155K *
Drive the innovation of behavior planning systems for autonomous vehicles, owning key design and implementation tasks while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure peak performance in dyna...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Commercial Navigation
$130K - $260K *
Shape the future of fleet navigation by owning end-to-end projects, delivering high-quality software across platforms, and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance user experiences in complex envir...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Business Systems
$110K - $130K *
Lead the enhancement of finance systems in a dynamic environment, focusing on optimizing NetSuite and integrating additional solutions. This role involves strategy, system configuration, and process i...
3 weeks ago
Senior Technical Program Manager, Infrastructure Programs
$130K - $170K *
Execute end-to-end digital onboarding of complex AI data center infrastructure, managing cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, stability, and optimization of high-performance systems for p...
Reposted today
$100K - $130K *
Take ownership of developing innovative software solutions, leveraging new technologies and processes. Collaborate closely with customers to create high-quality applications while adapting to evolving...
4 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, collaborating with a seasoned team to tackle complex challenges. Drive product development in a fully remote environment, focusing on user n...
Reposted 6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Advance program success by leading contract performance, managing risks, and ensuring compliance across multiple task orders while engaging with key stakeholders and overseeing subcontractor performan...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $140K *
Take ownership of building intelligent, cloud-native solutions that streamline radiology workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable software, ensuring quality and security...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer - Onboarding and Migrations
$156K - $196K *
Develop and maintain scalable backend applications and data pipelines, leveraging cloud infrastructure and modern programming languages to enhance system performance and support data analytics, while...
4 days ago
Senior Software Engineer (Python / AI Insurance SaaS)
$200K - $225K *
Drive the design and delivery of innovative AI-driven applications. Oversee the full development lifecycle, ensuring scalability and reliability in multi-tenant enterprise solutions while collaboratin...
Reposted 2 days 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.