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Lead Developer Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Engineering Team Lead

Eagle Mountain, UT · On-site

$100K - $132K/yr

Proven Track Record: 3+ years as Control Systems Project Engineer I or equivalent. Duties and Responsibilities: Technical Responsibilities: * Lead, train, and mentor co-workers during start-up and ...

$100K - $132K/yr

Proven Track Record: 3+ years as Control Systems Project Engineer I or equivalent. Duties and Responsibilities: Technical Responsibilities: * Lead, train, and mentor co-workers during start-up and ...

Engineering Team Lead

Eagle Mountain, UT · On-site

$100K - $132K/yr

Proven Track Record: 3+ years as Control Systems Project Engineer I or equivalent. Duties and Responsibilities: Technical Responsibilities: * Lead, train, and mentor co-workers during start-up and ...

Lead Applied AI Engineer II Role Overview: As a Lead Applied AI Engineer II , you will actively engage in your engineering craft, taking a hands-on approach to multiple high-visibility projects. Your ...

$92K - $121K/yr

About This Role We are looking for a senior-level engineer to step into a Team Lead role on one of our cross-functional product teams. In this position, you will split your time between hands-on ...

Engineering Team Lead

Pleasant Grove, UT

$92K - $121K/yr

About This Role We are looking for a senior-level engineer to step into a Team Lead role on one of our cross-functional product teams. In this position, you will split your time between hands-on ...

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Lead Developer information

See Utah salary details

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How much do lead developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead developer in Utah is $58.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.63 and $67.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is L1, L2, L3, and L4 developer?

In the context of a Lead Developer role, L1, L2, L3, and L4 typically refer to different levels of software engineering or developer seniority within an organization, with L1 being entry-level and L4 representing senior or lead positions. These levels often indicate experience, responsibility, and skill set, and are used to structure career progression, compensation, and expectations in tech teams.

What is the difference between Lead Developer vs Software Engineer?

AspectLead Developer
ResponsibilitiesOversees development teams, designs architecture, manages project timelines
Required SkillsStrong coding skills, leadership, project management, communication
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, Agile/Scrum settings, technical leadership roles
Common CertificationsNone mandatory, but certifications like PMP or Scrum Master are beneficial

While both Lead Developers and Software Engineers possess strong technical skills, Lead Developers focus on team leadership, project oversight, and architecture design, whereas Software Engineers primarily concentrate on coding and implementing features. Lead Developers often have more experience and take on managerial responsibilities, making them suitable for guiding development projects and teams.

How much do lead developers get paid?

Lead developers typically earn between $100,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Seniority, technical skills, and certifications can influence salary levels, and they often oversee development teams and projects.

How does a Lead Developer typically balance hands-on coding with team leadership responsibilities?

Lead Developers often split their time between writing code and guiding their team. While they remain technically involved—reviewing code, setting standards, and tackling complex tasks—they also focus on mentoring, conducting code reviews, and coordinating work across team members. Balancing these duties requires strong organization skills and the ability to delegate effectively, ensuring both project progress and team growth. Most Lead Developers find that their leadership and communication responsibilities increase as projects scale or as the team grows.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-demand fields like machine learning, cloud computing, or fintech, can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What are Lead Developers?

Lead Developers are experienced software engineers who oversee the technical aspects of a development team. They are responsible for designing solutions, setting coding standards, mentoring junior developers, and coordinating project tasks. Lead Developers bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that projects are delivered efficiently and to high quality standards. They often make key architectural decisions and help guide the team's professional growth.

What Is a Lead Developer?

A lead developer has the same responsibilities as a developer, but must also direct others and ensure they adhere to determined software quality standards. You work with business analysts to produce relevant software products and participate in design decisions, tool selection, and improvements to the overall development process. You mentor your team, provide them with better strategies to build computer programs and advise them on emerging techniques and processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Developer, you need advanced proficiency in software development, system architecture, and project management, often backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Expertise with programming languages, version control systems like Git, and frameworks such as React or Node.js, as well as experience with Agile methodologies, are typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills set outstanding Lead Developers apart by enabling effective team guidance and collaboration. These abilities ensure high-quality software delivery, foster team growth, and drive project success in dynamic tech environments.

What is the job of a lead developer?

A lead developer is responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of software projects, guiding development teams, and ensuring code quality and project deadlines are met. They often coordinate with project managers, review code, and make architectural decisions, requiring strong programming skills and leadership abilities.
What are popular job titles related to Lead Developer jobs in Utah? For Lead Developer jobs in Utah, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Lead Developer job openings in Utah as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,819 per year, or $58.6 per hour.
On-Site Lead Engineer for Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test

On-Site Lead Engineer for Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

UT • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 60 rated research


Job description

Description
Do you want an exciting opportunity to represent APL onsite at Hill Air Force Base (AFB) on a significant program of national importance while working directly with Sponsors, industry peers and other APL team members?
Do you want to apply systems engineering expertise in a fast-paced, high impact environment on a long-term strategic weapon system?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
We are seeking a On-Site Lead Engineer for Systems Engineering, Integration and Test efforts for the Sentinel strategic missile system. This will be an on-site position, working at Hill AFB, Utah alongside other on-site APL personnel, our government sponsor, other government mission partners, and the Sentinel Prime Contractor.
As a on-site Sentinel Lead Engineer for Systems Engineering Integration and Test...
  • Your primary responsibility will be to serve as a technical leader in APL's forward-based team supporting the Sentinel program. This on-site location facilitates daily interaction with the sponsor and the Prime Contractor and enhances APL's ability as an organization to support our government sponsor. In doing so, you will maintain regular communications with APL's program and project managers, line-side leaders and organizations, and fellow members of the KBY on-site technical team to increase awareness of Sentinel activities, developments, decisions, areas of concern, and opportunities where APL can help the Sentinel program
  • You will work directly with the sponsor to understand their needs, and collaborate with key APL technical leaders to recommend, support, and execute APL work in support of the Sentinel Program Office's desire to "own the technical baseline."
  • You will support and influence program-level decision making by developing and communicating technical positions, risk assessments, and trade-offs to senior government and program leadership.
  • You will serve as a serve as a technical advisor, integrator, and trusted agent to government leadership, providing subject matter expertise and independent assessment to the government for the execution of systems engineering, integration, and test activities for the Sentinel strategic missile system. As such you will develop and assess CONOPS and requirements, develop architectures, develop test plans and analyze test data, and perform trade studies, failure root cause analyses, risk management, verification and validation, requirements analyses, functional analyses, and performance assessments. This includes communicating results of systems engineering assessments and engineering methodologies and processes and acting as a liaison between the government and the APL home campus team.
  • You will lead and collaborate with other APL SMEs, both at Hill AFB and main campus, to provide unique analyses of the Sentinel Weapon System and recommendations from a systems-level viewpoint.
  • You will work with the Sentinel Prime Contractor and other industry partners to advise, review, recommend and contribute to assessments supporting systems engineering processes and technical management processes.
  • You will help define, coordinate, and, when required, lead integration activities across multiple technical and programmatic domains, ensuring coherence across system elements, organizations, and program phases. This includes participation in, and, as required, presentations at program technical reviews and acquisition milestone events.
  • You will contribute to technical baseline definition, acquisition and systems engineering strategy development, program restructuring activities, and governance frameworks.
  • You will use APL-developed tools, processes, and methodologies, and Prime Contractor generated design artifacts, test data and analysis results to evaluate system fulfillment of stakeholder needs and government requirements.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Possess a bachelors in engineering, mathematics, physics or related technical field.
  • Have 5+ years of technical professional experience including experience leading or influencing technical efforts across teams or organizations.
  • Demonstrate technical and organizational thought leadership with a track record of influencing others across various organizations.
  • Are able to effectively shape the day-to-day tasking to meet sponsor needs, multi-task, and adapt to changing demands with minimal guidance.
  • Have proven experience performing systems engineering in the design, development or evaluation of complex systems.
  • Have employed exceptionally strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, and the ability to regularly interface with senior military and civil service leaders.
  • Have especially strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as demonstrated strong critical thinking skills.
  • Have experience operating in ambiguous, high-tempo environments requiring self-directed tasking and prioritization across competing demands.
  • Demonstrate a strong sense of curiosity to understand how and why a system works and the ambition to follow up on that curiosity.
  • Are well-experienced in requirements analysis, design, test and evaluation, and risk management/assessment.
  • Have experience using tools for tradespace analysis, performance analysis, requirements analysis, requirements management, and system architecting.
  • Are literate in Systems Modeling Language (SysML).
  • Are willing to relocate to Utah in the vicinity of Hill AFB, with periodic travel (potentially 5-6 trips per year of duration one week or less) to APL Laurel campus, contractor sites, and other locations.
  • Hold an active Secret security clearance and are able to obtain a Top Secret/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have a graduate degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or related technical field with 10+ years of technical experience applying systems engineering.
  • Have experience in systems engineering for missile systems.
  • Have experience with DoD acquisition processes and/or Air Force ICBM programs.
  • Have experience with, and an understanding of Air Force strategic weapons systems including the Minuteman or Sentinel weapon systems.
  • Currently hold an active Top Secret clearance (or above).

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$290,000 Annually

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