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.
$100K - $135K *
Lead the charge in delivering complex projects from initiation to close, ensuring alignment among stakeholders, effective risk management, and adherence to timelines while utilizing AI tools to enhanc...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing complex public safety projects, ensuring timely delivery and high customer satisfaction. Oversee a diverse portfolio while collaborating with cross-functional teams to driv...
1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's leading the modernization of a legacy system. Drive architectural decisions, enhance engineering practices, and foster a culture of innovation while ensuring reliable delivery and c...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead and innovate IT Controls and AI Resiliency projects, ensuring effective management and delivery within scope, budget, and schedule while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet business...
1 week ago
Mechanical Engineering Lead, NA
$175K - $190K *
Explore strategic leadership in mechanical engineering, guiding a team of experts to innovate and deliver top-tier data center solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to shape engineering standards...
1 week ago
Forward Deployed Engineer/Chief Role
$150K - $180K *
Drive the development of AI-native solutions, designing robust agentic systems and workflows while closely collaborating with SMEs to enhance real user value through effective feedback mechanisms and...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Automation
$134K - $199K *
Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI agents and workflows that enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into scalabl...
4 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Automation
$130K - $195K *
Join a dynamic AI Automation team to design and deliver production-grade AI agents and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency across the organization while solving complex business challenges wit...
4 days ago
$92K - $128K *
Champion continuous improvement initiatives across North America, driving safety, quality, and cost metrics. Collaborate with teams to implement Lean Six Sigma methodologies and foster a culture of op...
Yesterday
$150K - $180K *
Lead the transformation of innovative technologies into market-ready products, collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify customer needs, prototype solutions, and drive commercialization fr...
1 week ago
Lead Director, Software Development Engineering (Member Eligibility Services)
$144K - $288K *
Drive modernization and operational stability for eligibility processing, leading a multi-team engineering organization to enhance cloud-based data services and APIs, ensuring high availability and co...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to empower partners in building AI solutions using the Cognigy platform. You will provide hands-on technical enablement, training, and support, guiding partners from basic understa...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Drive mobile engineering excellence across diverse product teams, ensuring strategic direction, fostering collaboration, and enhancing delivery. Lead managers, shape architecture, and cultivate a prod...
1 week ago
Lead System Protection Engineer
$126K - $164K *
Empower your career by leading the design and implementation of protective relay systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance system protection across various energy sectors, ensuring complianc...
2 weeks ago
Active Directory / Identity Engineer (Senior)
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as a senior engineer managing Active Directory services, ensuring security, availability, and recovery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support identity modernization...
Yesterday
Senior Data & AI Platform Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to design and build a robust data platform that enhances product performance and supports AI initiatives, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for internal and customer-facing...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $140K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and governance of structured exam content. Drive standards compliance and metadata alignment across assessment systems, ensuring seamless integration and functio...
3 days ago
Lead Appian Solutions Developer
$116K - $194K *
Pioneer innovative solutions as a hands-on Appian Solutions Developer, leading an Agile team in application development, enhancements, and support. Drive technical design, collaborate with stakeholder...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Build and configure IBM Maximo for facility maintenance operations, ensuring effective work management, mobile execution, and user training. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance system functionali...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Distribution
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovation by providing technical leadership on electrical distribution projects. You will oversee design packages, mentor junior engineers, ensure compliance with standards, and deliver reliabl...
Reposted today
$120K - $150K *
Empower our Digital team as a Senior Software Engineer, driving full stack development and modernization initiatives. Collaborate closely to enhance our Digital Banking platform, architecting new APIs...
3 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive your career with impactful Terafina implementation projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to customize solutions, manage integrations, and support clients through all project phases...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Software Engineer: Back-end
$125K - $165K *
Lead the charge in designing and scaling foundational APIs and backend services, optimizing cloud data stores, and ensuring high-availability for a robust platform. Elevate technical standards while s...
1 week ago
Principal Software Engineer, Collaborative Web Platform
$175K - $219K *
Elevate engineering excellence by guiding technical strategy and best practices across teams. Lead architectural vision, ensure reliability and security, and foster collaboration to build a cutting-ed...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in leveraging web analytics to drive insightful data solutions, establishing KPIs, implementing tracking strategies, and delivering actionable recommendations for optimizing client onl...
Reposted 3 weeks 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.