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Sustaining Software Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Software Engineer

Waukesha, WI

$122K - $161K/yr

Summary As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll play a meaningful role in shaping the next generation ... Support ongoing process improvements across development, sustaining, and support activities.

Sr. Software Engineer

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$122K - $161K/yr

Summary As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll play a meaningful role in shaping the next generation ... Support ongoing process improvements across development, sustaining, and support activities.

Senior Software Engineer - Digital

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$122K - $161K/yr

Summary We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer for ECG Management with deep experience ... Support process improvements which guide the development, sustaining & support activities * Work ...

Staff Engineer - Embedded Software

Kohler, WI · Hybrid

$133K - $176K/yr

We are committed to fostering a safe and sustainable work environment where safety is everyone ... This role involves working closely with hardware engineers, software engineers, and product teams ...

Staff Engineer - Embedded Software

Kohler, WI · On-site

$133K - $176K/yr

We are committed to fostering a safe and sustainable work environment where safety is everyone ... This role involves working closely with hardware engineers, software engineers, and product teams ...

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Showing results 1-20

Sustaining Software Engineer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$67.6K

$130.9K

$226.1K

How much do sustaining software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for sustaining software engineer in Wisconsin is $130,891.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,000.00 and $142,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Sustaining Software Engineers?

Sustaining Software Engineers are professionals responsible for maintaining, supporting, and improving existing software products after their initial release. They focus on fixing bugs, addressing customer-reported issues, ensuring compatibility with new technologies, and implementing minor enhancements to keep the software reliable and up-to-date. Unlike development engineers, who work primarily on new features or products, sustaining engineers ensure the ongoing stability and quality of released software. Their work is crucial for customer satisfaction and long-term software success.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Sustaining Software Engineers in high-demand industries or senior roles with extensive experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications can earn $300,000 or more annually. These roles often involve leadership, complex system management, or working at large tech companies with competitive compensation packages.

What are some common challenges faced by Sustaining Software Engineers, and how are they typically addressed?

Sustaining Software Engineers often encounter the challenge of resolving complex, legacy code issues while ensuring minimal disruption to existing users. They must quickly diagnose problems, implement effective fixes, and coordinate with product and support teams to prioritize work. Staying up-to-date with evolving technologies and documentation practices is also crucial, as they frequently work on older systems. Open communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams help address these challenges and maintain software reliability.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Sustaining Software Engineers at senior levels or in specialized roles such as staff or principal engineers can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially in large tech companies or with significant stock options and bonuses. High compensation often requires extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and leadership responsibilities.

What do sustaining engineers do?

Sustaining software engineers are responsible for maintaining, updating, and troubleshooting existing software products to ensure their continued performance and reliability. They analyze issues, implement fixes, and optimize code, often using tools like version control and debugging software, to support product stability and customer satisfaction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sustaining Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sustaining Software Engineer, you need strong problem-solving skills, proficiency in debugging, and a solid background in software development, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with issue tracking systems, source control tools like Git, and experience with programming languages relevant to the product are typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams help distinguish top performers. These skills ensure timely resolution of software issues, maintain product stability, and support ongoing customer satisfaction.

Is it true that AI will replace software engineers?

AI is transforming software engineering by automating routine tasks and assisting in code generation, but it is unlikely to fully replace software engineers. Instead, AI tools enhance productivity, requiring engineers to focus on complex problem-solving, system design, and maintaining ethical standards. Software engineers will continue to play a vital role in developing, managing, and improving AI-driven systems.

What is the difference between Sustaining Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectSustaining Software EngineerSoftware Developer
Primary FocusMaintaining, troubleshooting, and improving existing software systemsDesigning and developing new software applications
Work EnvironmentOften in support or maintenance teams, working on existing codebasesTypically in development teams, creating new features and products
Required SkillsStrong debugging, problem-solving, and understanding of existing codeProficiency in coding, software design, and new development

While both roles require programming skills, Sustaining Software Engineers focus on maintaining and improving existing systems, whereas Software Developers primarily create new software solutions. The roles often overlap in industry and skills but differ in their core responsibilities.

Lead Software Engineer - AI & Agentic Systems

Lead Software Engineer - AI & Agentic Systems

Trane Technologies plc

La Crosse, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Trane Technologies rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 297 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

Be a part of our mission! As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, it's our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, and through our businesses including TraneandThermo King, sustainability is not just how we do business-it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what's possible for a sustainable world.

Learn about our benefits designed for you to Thrive at work and at home.

We boldly go.

Where is the work:

Monday to Thursday, work onsite with your colleagues. Fridays, choose your work location, balancing what your work requires.

What's in it for you:
This role offers the opportunity to build real enterprise AI solutions while working at the leading edge of how software development is changing.

You will apply modern AI coding tools and agentic development practices to real product delivery, not just experimentation. You will help determine what works, where the risks are, how quality should be maintained, and how these practices can scale in an enterprise environment.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Deliver AI solutions that address real employee and enterprise needs
  • Work hands-on with agents, integrations, orchestration patterns, and emerging AI technologies
  • Apply coding assistants and agentic coding practices to production-oriented software delivery
  • Build reusable components and technical patterns based on real delivery work
  • Help shape scalable, enterprise-ready AI delivery practices that make future AI solutions faster, safer, and more consistent to build

What you will do:

As Lead Software Engineer - AI & Agentic Systems, you will:

  • Design, build, test, deploy, and support AI-enabled solutions for real enterprise use cases
  • Translate product needs, business requirements, and technical concepts into working software that delivers measurable value
  • Design and integrate models, agents, tools, workflows, APIs, enterprise systems, cloud services, and user experiences into reliable AI-enabled applications
  • Apply emerging AI patterns such as agents, tool-calling, MCP, A2A, agent frameworks, and context engineering where they create practical value
  • Design cloud-based solutions with attention to scalability, reliability, security, maintainability, and operational support
  • Move AI capabilities from concept, prototype, or pilot into production-ready solutions
  • Use coding assistants and agentic coding practices as part of the development and delivery process
  • Establish and share reusable components, agent capabilities, and engineering patterns that improve the speed, quality, reliability, and consistency of future AI delivery
  • Provide technical leadership to other developers by guiding design decisions, reviewing implementation approaches, mentoring on best practices, and helping establish engineering standards

What you will bring:

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent work experience
  • 7+ years of professional software development experience, including experience in a senior, lead, or highly independent developer role
  • Strong programming experience in one or more modern application development languages such as TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, C#, or Java
  • Experience designing, building, testing, deploying, and supporting production software
  • Experience building backend services, APIs, integrations, or full-stack application features
  • Experience designing and building cloud-based applications on at least one major cloud platform such as Azure, GCP, or AWS
  • Experience providing technical leadership through design guidance, code review, mentoring, or establishing engineering standards
  • Experience applying coding assistants or agentic coding practices in structured software delivery workflows

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience building AI-enabled applications, including agents, tool-calling workflows, orchestration layers, or multi-agent systems
  • Experience integrating models, tools, data sources, APIs, and user workflows into reliable application experiences
  • Familiarity with emerging AI patterns such as MCP, A2A, agent frameworks, or context engineering approaches
  • Experience working across multiple cloud platforms

Annual Base Salary Range or Hourly Base Pay Range:

$156,528.33 - $199,300.00

Compensation Type:

Salary

Incentive Eligible:

Yes

Sales Commission Eligible:

No

Disclaimer: We strive to provide competitive compensation for this position, tailored to a variety of factors. The actual compensation will depend on elements such as seniority, merit, geographic location, education, experience, travel requirements, and union designation. Our compensation range is generally based on the national average for the country. Additionally, benefits may vary depending on the region, business alignment, union involvement, and employee status.

Thrive at work and at home:


  • Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives - WE DARE TO CARE!
  • Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
  • 401K match up to 6%, plus an additional 2% core contribution = up to 8% company contribution.
  • Paid time off includes 15 vacation days, 9 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave.
  • Educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.

Disclaimer: Benefit offerings may vary depending on Collective Bargaining Agreements and local/state regulations.


Safety Sensitive Role:

No

The company designates certain roles as Safety Sensitive. Safety Sensitive roles may require that you pass additional drug screening.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.


What Trane Technologies employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About Trane Technologies

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Trane Technologies and through our businesses including Trane® and Thermo King®, we create innovative climate solutions for buildings, homes, and transportation that challenge what's possible for a sustainable world. We're a team that dares to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities. We believe in a better future when we uplift others and enable our people to thrive at work and at home. We boldly go.

Industry

Industrial machinery manufacturing and machinery manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Davidson, NC, US