What is the difference between senior and lead engineer roles?

Senior engineers typically own complex features or subsystems and mentor junior developers. Lead engineers take on broader technical leadership - setting architecture direction, driving cross-team initiatives, and often managing a small team of engineers.

What salary should a senior engineer expect?

Senior engineers in the US typically earn $150K–$220K in base salary, with total compensation (including equity and bonuses) reaching $250K–$400K+ at top-tier companies. Geography, company stage, and specialization all influence the final number.

How do I advance from mid-level to a $150K+ senior role?

Focus on owning projects end-to-end, improving system reliability or performance with measurable results, mentoring teammates, and contributing to technical design decisions. Building a track record of scope expansion and business impact is the fastest path to promotion.

Are $150K+ senior engineer jobs available remotely?

Yes. Many companies hiring senior and lead engineers offer remote or hybrid arrangements, recognizing that experienced engineers are productive regardless of location. Use the work model filter to find remote-friendly $150K+ positions.

1,218+ JobsUpdated May 9, 2026

Senior Engineer Jobs Paying $150K+

Senior and lead engineers earning $150K+ drive technical strategy, mentor teams, and own critical systems. These positions reward deep expertise and leadership ability. Whether you're a senior full-stack developer or a lead platform engineer, find the role that matches your experience level and ambitions.

Get AI-Matched Jobs

Salary Range

$79k – $350k

Top Companies

SpaceX, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Jacobs, Kano, SI Inc, Prescient Edge +15 more

Job Types

70% Full Time, 26% Contract, 4% Internship

Top Locations

Hawthorne, Washington, Palo Alto, Redmond

Work Model

96% On-Site, 2% Remote, 2% Hybrid

Experience Levels

42% Senior, 26% Staff, 22% Lead

We found 1,218 senior engineer jobs paying $150k+ currently hiring in locations including Hawthorne, Washington, Palo Alto. Salaries range from $79k to $350k based on experience, location, and company size. Work arrangements include On-Site (96%), Remote (2%), Hybrid (2%). Top employers include SpaceX, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Jacobs and 18 other companies.

Companies Hiring for Senior Engineer Jobs Paying $150K+

SpaceX29 jobs

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.2 jobs

Jacobs1 job

Kano1 job

SI Inc1 job

Prescient Edge1 job

+15 more companies hiring. Sign up to see all.

Career Path & Salary Progression

Senior

$135k–$185k

21 jobs

Lead

$130k–$195k

11 jobs

Staff

$150k–$338k

13 jobs

Latest Jobs Added

Sr. Antenna Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX

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Senior Engineer Jobs Paying $150K+

Companies Hiring for Senior Engineer Jobs Paying $150K+

Career Path & Salary Progression

Latest Jobs Added

Senior Antenna Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

Senior Accountant, International

Senior 3GPP RAN Standardization Engineer (Starlink Mobile)

Construction Manager - TS/SCI CI Poly - OCONUS

Member of Technical Staff, Special Programs - Top Secret Clearance

Member of Technical Staff, Special Programs

Member of Technical Staff, Special Programs

Staff Software Architect

Member of Technical Staff, Platform Engineer, Special Programs

Manager, Starlink Enterprise Account Management (Channel)

Manager, IT Infrastructure (Data Centers)

Lead Product Manager

Lead Supply Chain Reliability Engineer (Starlink)

Lead Software Engineer, Full Stack - Top Secret Clearance

Lead Software Engineer, Flight Systems - Top Secret Clearance

Senior Data Scientist with Security Clearance

Lead PCB Designer (Starshield)

Lead MEP Construction Engineer

Lead Environmental Health & Safety Engineer

Lead Software Engineer, Full Stack (Enterprise Platforms Technology) McLean,

Lead Construction Engineer

Investor Relations Manager

Global Sourcing Manager (Starshield)

Principal Vulnerability Researcher with Security Clearance

Finance Manager

Finance Manager

Enterprise Account Manager (Aviation)

Staff Engineer Software

Construction Project Manager

Member of Technical Staff, Special Programs - Top Secret Clearance

Member of Technical Staff, Platform Engineer, Special Programs

Lead Recruiter, HQ Functions & Executive [Remote]

Lead Software Engineer, Application Software (Supply Chain)

Lead Construction Superintendent

Global Sourcing Manager, Custom Silicon and Semiconductor (Starlink)

Senior Associate, Data Scientist - Corporate Strategy

Manager, Benefits

Data Infrastructure Operations Manager II (Starlink)

Senior Facilities Manager

Sales Engineer - OEM Defense Business Development

Studio Creative Director

Senior Graphic Designer (Future Opportunity)

Senior Estimator - Wet & Dry Utilities - DC

Project Management Lead (Energy & Resources)

Manager - Bulk Logistics

Senior Project Manager Transformation

Group Creative Director

Senior Manager, Strategic Supplier Mgmt.

Principal – Third Party Cyber Risk Assessment

Senior Procurement Manager

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