Technical Leads combine hands-on engineering expertise with the ability to guide teams and drive complex projects forward. They help translate product goals into technical plans, make sound design decisions, and support engineers as they deliver reliable software and systems. Explore vetted Technical Lead opportunities on Ladders, where every listed role pays at least $100,000.
Responsibilities vary by organization and specialty, but Technical Leads commonly set technical direction, review designs and code, identify delivery risks, and coordinate work across engineering, product, and other teams. Many remain active contributors, balancing implementation with mentoring, planning, and problem-solving.
Employers often seek strong software development or engineering experience, sound system design judgment, and a record of delivering complex projects. Communication, collaboration, prioritization, and mentorship are also important. Specific qualifications depend on the role, such as experience with cloud platforms, data systems, security, or a particular programming language.
Technical Lead compensation depends on factors such as location, industry, company size, specialization, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more, making it easier to explore senior opportunities that match your career goals. Technical Leads may grow into staff or principal engineering positions, engineering management, architecture, or broader technology leadership.
Browse Technical Lead openings on Ladders to discover roles where you can shape engineering practices, mentor teammates, and influence products and platforms. Compare opportunities by responsibilities and qualifications, then apply to positions that fit your experience and aspirations.
$120K - $148K *
Accelerate team performance and delivery by leading software engineers, fostering development, and enhancing organizational effectiveness in a dynamic, remote environment. Drive sustainable practices...
1 week ago
Lead Platform Engineer, AI and DevSecOps
$155K - $175K *
Empower engineering teams by leading the evolution of cloud, security, and AI operations. Drive platform reliability and DevSecOps practices while mentoring others to foster a collaborative, innovativ...
1 week ago
Lead Software Engineer- full stack Java
$120K - $145K *
Lead a dynamic engineering team to design and develop complex enterprise applications, ensuring high-quality delivery and technical excellence while mentoring developers and driving modernization effo...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Innovate within the AI Platform team by designing and operating core components for AI-driven solutions, focusing on model serving, agentic infrastructure, or observability. Collaborate across teams t...
2 weeks ago
Sr Offensive AI Security Engineer II
$157K - $238K *
Join a dynamic team to leverage AI in enhancing application security. You'll assess vulnerabilities, implement fixes, and shape AI security strategies, driving innovation in a fast-paced environment w...
2 weeks ago
Technical Enablement Manager, Identity Security
$130K - $160K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of identity security by developing impactful enablement programs for pre-sales teams. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to enhance skills and drive busine...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the IT workstream in executing complex business separations and transformations, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating critical activities to ensure successful outcomes in a dynamic e...
3 weeks ago
Senior/Staff Software Engineer (Platform and Execution Model)
$180K - $240K *
Elevate your career by designing and building robust distributed systems. Lead architectural decisions, ensure reliability, and mentor engineers while tackling complex challenges in regulated environm...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion transformative IT projects by leading integrations during business separations, ensuring smooth transitions, and managing complex dependencies in fast-paced environments...
3 weeks ago
LEAD PROJECT MANAGER - PUB SEC
$88K - $121K *
Manage logistics for a complex federal program, ensuring timely, secure delivery of assets. Lead project activities, coordinate with stakeholders, and maintain compliance while building strategic rela...
6 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...
2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Grader)
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Project Manager, FEHRM Healthcare Technology Management - Deployment
$95K - $125K *
Drive the deployment of healthcare technology across multiple VA facilities, coordinating projects and ensuring readiness. Collaborate with diverse teams to manage timelines, resolve issues, and deliv...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Connectivity & API Transformation
$139K - $174K *
Join our team to shape the future of our platform by designing robust APIs, improving service connectivity, and evolving legacy systems into modern architectures, all while fostering a collaborative e...
3 weeks ago
Program Manager of Technical Development
$140K - $185K *
Drive technical excellence by developing standards and processes for commissioning, ensuring consistent execution across projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workforce capabili...
5 days ago
Technical Product Owner – Data Products
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to bridge product strategy and engineering delivery, transforming data into actionable insights for innovative financial solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive...
Reposted 3 days ago
Capture & Business Development Manager
$85K - $110K *
Drive business growth by identifying and qualifying federal procurement opportunities, focusing on healthcare contracts. Collaborate on capture strategies and build partnerships to enhance win probabi...
4 days ago
Manager - Software Development Engineering S 4D
$80K - $100K *
Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of developers to deliver high-quality software solutions, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving strategic project initiatives while fostering a cultur...
6 days ago
Systems Administrator - Team Lead
$130K - $145K *
Lead the charge in providing technical oversight and mentorship for a Systems Administration team, ensuring the security, performance, and availability of critical enterprise IT infrastructure while r...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's redefining sales enablement by leading the charge in building a comprehensive program that empowers AEs, SEs, BDRs, and CSMs to excel from day one, ensuring alignment across sales a...
Reposted 5 days ago
Project Engineer (Rail Project Engineer)
$100K - $140K *
Lead the charge in designing and executing rail projects, ensuring compliance and quality. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and strengthen client relationships while managing project delivery...
2 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Software Engineering
$180K - $240K *
Empower teams to innovate in residential construction software by leading high-performing engineering groups, fostering Agile practices, and enhancing project management for builders and homeowners al...
2 weeks ago
$229K - $258K *
Empower a dynamic engineering team to deliver innovative security tools. Own product development from roadmap to rollout, fostering collaboration and driving results in a fast-paced environment focuse...
3 weeks ago
$115K - $145K *
Transform product strategy into actionable backlogs, guiding delivery through agile practices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize features, manage defects, and ensure alignment with...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer- Rust / C++
$94K - $176K *
Drive innovation in document processing by leading high-impact projects, shaping architecture, and optimizing performance in a queue-driven pipeline. Collaborate across teams to enhance AI products an...
1 week ago
What is a Technical Lead?
A Technical Lead is an experienced technical professional who guides engineering work, helps make design decisions, and supports a team in delivering projects. The role is often hands-on, though the balance between coding and leadership varies by employer.
What does a Technical Lead do?
Technical Leads may define implementation approaches, review code and system designs, coordinate technical work, resolve complex issues, mentor engineers, and partner with product or business teams to deliver project goals.
What qualifications are common for Technical Lead jobs?
Employers commonly look for substantial engineering experience, strong problem-solving and system design skills, and a history of delivering complex work. Leadership, communication, and mentoring abilities are also valuable; specific requirements depend on the role.
How much do Technical Lead jobs pay?
Pay varies by location, industry, company, specialization, and role scope. Ladders lists vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying Technical Lead opportunities.
What career paths can follow a Technical Lead role?
Technical Leads may advance to staff or principal engineer roles, software or solution architect positions, engineering management, or broader technology leadership, depending on their interests and experience.