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.
$75K - $101K *
Manage web production and optimize digital experiences by collaborating with stakeholders, executing content strategies, and analyzing performance metrics to enhance engagement across online platforms...
4 days ago
$125K - $145K *
Drive product strategy and modernization for merchant onboarding solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance risk management capabilities and ensure market-leading standards in a d...
Reposted 3 days ago
Sr Principal Program Mgr, PIC Data Eng
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in developing next-gen data platforms, driving strategic insights and AI solutions. Oversee data architecture, governance, and quality, while mentoring a high-performing team to foster...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as a strategic leader driving growth in cybersecurity consulting. Engage with executive stakeholders, close complex deals, and leverage a vast partner ecosystem to deliver tailor...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Engage in innovative software solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, balancing technical priorities while mentoring a distributed team. Collaborate on designing, testing, and delivering quality prod...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior ServiceNow Developer/Architect
$125K - $150K *
Champion enterprise solutions by leading the design and optimization of ServiceNow platforms. Drive architecture, governance, and delivery across multiple domains, ensuring scalability and performance...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Empower quality through engineering excellence and automation. Drive innovation by integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, collaborating with teams to elevate software standards and preven...
3 weeks ago
$114K - $252K *
Lead the charge in architecting and implementing a cutting-edge AI platform for federal oversight, driving innovation with technical leadership and ensuring security and compliance across complex clou...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Regional Program Lead - Utilities
$125K - $175K *
Drive the expansion of PMO services in the utility sector, leading a multidisciplinary team while fostering executive relationships and enhancing project delivery. Leverage extensive industry expertis...
1 week ago
Application Development Team Manager
$147K - $198K *
Lead a dynamic software development team, driving modernization and secure engineering practices across legacy and cloud-native systems while fostering collaboration and high-quality delivery...
3 days ago
$120K - $185K *
Join a dynamic team as you design and develop CAD plugins, ensuring seamless integration with civil design workflows and GIS systems. Collaborate closely with engineers to enhance data management and...
6 days ago
Engineering Manager, Data Streaming
$225K - $265K *
Accelerate progress at a mission-critical team, leading Data Streaming to enhance data ingestion pipelines. Build a skilled team, ensure pipeline reliability, and collaborate cross-functionally to sup...
3 days ago
Staff Product Manager, Technical
$160K - $220K *
Lead the charge in defining product strategy and delivery for major client engagements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor PMs, and navigate complex challenges to ensure successful outcom...
6 days ago
Staff Product Manager, Technical
$160K - $220K *
Shape the future of product strategy by leading complex client engagements, managing the full product lifecycle, driving cross-functional alignment, and mentoring teams to deliver impactful solutions...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Lead Director, Software Product Management
$144K - $288K *
Lead the charge in shaping the Security Automation portfolio, driving product strategy and user adoption while developing a high-performing team of product managers. Collaborate closely with engineeri...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Innovate and enhance software solutions in a dynamic SaaS environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain high-quality applications while driving continuous impro...
5 days ago
Software Architect (AWS/Azure)
$93K - $125K *
Explore your potential as a Software Architect, designing and enhancing build systems and delivery platforms. Collaborate with teams to implement CI/CD practices and ensure high-quality software deliv...
6 days ago
Clinical Lead - Senior Site Activation Lead
$116K *
Drive impactful site activation strategies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of clinical projects while enhancing communication and mitigating risks throughout the p...
4 days ago
IT Subject Matter Expert (SME)
$100K - $175K *
Transform operations by leveraging your expertise in IT and cybersecurity. Collaborate with leaders to enhance processes, drive efficiency, and ensure compliance while mentoring teams and aligning str...
6 days ago
Technical Product Specialist, BRIX
$80K - $95K *
Take ownership of technical customer engagements, troubleshooting software issues, and enhancing product reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive customer success and inform produ...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer II - Agentic Intelligence
$250K - $280K *
Drive innovation by designing and delivering advanced AI agents that leverage high-cardinality observability data. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance Canvas capabilities, ensuring agents perfo...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Technology Transformation & AI Enablement
$144K - $288K *
Transform enterprise technology by leading modernization initiatives, enhancing engineering practices, and enabling responsible AI adoption across diverse platforms. Collaborate with stakeholders to d...
4 days ago
Senior Software Engineer II - Agentic Intelligence
$183K - $206K *
Partner with us to innovate agent engineering, crafting unique observability solutions using high-cardinality data. Lead projects from prototype to production while enhancing Canvas capabilities for i...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K *
Champion the future of public safety by managing 40+ complex SaaS implementations. Drive project success from contract to go-live, ensuring customer satisfaction and effective collaboration across tea...
2 weeks ago
Senior, ML Engineer - Tracking
$177K - $212K *
Develop and deploy advanced ML models for multi-object tracking, ensuring robust performance in autonomous vehicles. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance tracking algorithms and improve...
2 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.