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Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking an experienced Principal Lead Software Engineer onsite in Colorado Springs, CO to serve as the Software Lead for multiple mission-critical software ...

Lead Software Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$110K - $157K/yr

Expert proficiency in major programming languages such as Python, Go, or Java, combined with deep software engineering fundamentals and design patterns * Critical experience in designing and ...

May serve as a Lead Software Engineer for complex software development project designs and/or reviews architected modules and software systems supporting new technology or improving capability ...

New

Showing results 21-40

Lead Software Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$87.3K

$153.4K

$208.2K

How much do lead software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead software engineer in Colorado is $153,406.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,200.00 and $177,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Software Engineer, you need advanced programming expertise, software architecture knowledge, and a degree in computer science or a related field, often supplemented by experience in leading development teams. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and methodologies like Agile or Scrum is typically expected. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills for mentoring developers and managing projects. These skills ensure efficient project delivery, high-quality code, and effective team collaboration in complex technical environments.

How does a lead software engineer typically balance hands-on coding with leadership and mentoring responsibilities?

As a Lead Software Engineer, you'll find that your role involves a dynamic mix of technical work and team leadership. While you'll still contribute directly to codebases—often tackling complex or critical components—you'll also spend significant time guiding junior engineers, conducting code reviews, and facilitating technical discussions. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong time management and communication skills, as well as the ability to delegate effectively. The role offers the opportunity to shape technical direction while fostering team growth and collaboration.

What does a lead software engineer do?

A lead software engineer oversees the development team, designs technical solutions, and ensures project deadlines are met. They often coordinate with stakeholders, review code, and mentor junior developers, using tools like version control systems and project management software. Strong technical skills and leadership abilities are essential for this role.

What does a lead software engineer earn?

A lead software engineer's salary typically ranges from $100,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often have advanced skills in programming, system design, and team management, and may receive bonuses or stock options as part of compensation.

What is the average salary of a lead software engineer?

The average salary of a lead software engineer typically ranges from $110,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles often include additional benefits such as bonuses, stock options, and flexible work arrangements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lead Software Engineer jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Lead Software Engineer jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Lead Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Lead Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Lead Software Engineer job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,406 per year, or $73.8 per hour.

Principal Lead Software Engineer

SAIC

Colorado Springs, CO • On-site, Remote

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 224 rated it services


Job description

Job ID: 2615239

Location: Colorado Springs, CO, US

Date Posted: 2026-08-04

Category: Software

Subcategory: SW Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: No

Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE


Description

SAIC is seeking an experienced Principal Lead Software Engineer onsite in Colorado Springs, CO to serve as the Software Lead for multiple mission-critical software development projects. Reporting directly to the Lead Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for providing guidance, technical direction, and leadership across several software development efforts in a rapid prototyping environment. This role will balance hands-on technical contributions, team leadership, and input on software development best practices at the project level.

This position focuses on leading and delivering software efforts for multiple projects, while also collaborating with the broader technical organization to define and refine software development standards, practices, and tools for consistent implementation across the program.

Responsibilities:

Project-Specific Leadership and Delivery:

  • Lead software design, development, and testing for 2–4 mission-critical projects, ensuring technical excellence and on-time delivery.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define software requirements, architecture, and deliverables.
  • Guide development teams in implementing cloud-native applications, web front ends, and scalable back ends using Agile methodologies.
  • Act as a technical escalation point, conducting code reviews, resolving issues, and maintaining adherence to project goals.
  • Work with engineers across disciplines (DevSecOps, software, data) to build secure pipelines and deliver solutions utilizing Kubernetes, Kafka, and microservices.

Standards and Alignment:

  • Work with leadership and senior technical staff to establish and standardize software development practices across projects.
  • Define and improve development tools, frameworks, and workflows to enhance productivity, quality, and security.
  • Promote and implement secure development practices, including secure coding, vulnerability scanning (e.g., Trivy), and continuous testing.
  • Provide critical feedback on code, processes, and designs during reviews and evaluations.

Hands-On Contributions as Needed:

  • Contribute to development by writing key code, resolving complex technical challenges, and creating architectural proofs of concept.
  • Support rapid prototyping and provide engineering assistance during high-pressure development cycles.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field and 15+ years of software development experience, or Master’s with 13+ years of experience.
  • 7+ years of experience in back-end (Python, Java, C#, Go) and/or front-end (React, Angular, Vue.js, HTML5/CSS3) development.
  • Expertise in cloud-native architecture and multi-cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, DAF Cloudworks, GCP).
  • Proficient with DevSecOps tools: Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Helm.
  • Skilled in building RESTful/GraphQL APIs, microservices, and event-driven architectures (Kafka, RabbitMQ).
  • Experience automating CI/CD pipelines with testing, security scanning, and deployment workflows.
  • Knowledgeable in testing tools (JMeter, Selenium, Jest) for unit and end-to-end testing.
  • Leadership and Collaboration Skills:
    • Minimum 3+ years of experience leading software development teams on 2–4 projects or prototypes simultaneously.
    • 3+ years working with government, defense, and intelligence project development requirements and processes.
    • Experience partnering with Program Leadership, other technical leads, and SMEs to establish consistent standards and ensure quality across assigned project teams.
    • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, including experience with internal and external stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Master’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
  • Cloud certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect. 

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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