Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Lead Software Engineer jobs in Tennessee are in steady demand, with the strongest concentration in healthcare technology, financial services, and logistics software across Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. Major employers with lasting Tennessee roots include HCA Healthcare, FedEx, and Bridgestone Americas, all of which maintain engineering teams requiring experienced technical leadership. The most in-demand specialties are cloud architecture, platform engineering, and full-stack development at scale. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Lead Software Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 27+ Lead Software Engineer jobs





Job Information
State of Tennessee Job Information
LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY
This position requires a criminal background check and CJIS fingerprints. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered for this position.
This position is designed as Hybrid (In office and Remote).
Qualifications
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree and two years of experience in application design, systems analysis, or software development.
Substitution for Bachelor's degree: Relevant IT Associate's Degree.
OR
An Associate's degree and two years of related IT experience may substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement.
Substitution of Experience for Education: Related IT experience may substitute for the required bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years.
Necessary Special Qualifications: None.
Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100% for Preferred Service positions.
Overview
Under general supervision, this classification designs, codes, tests, and maintains complex software applications independently or in teams. Provides technical guidance, supports application integration, and collaborates with stakeholders to implement enterprise systems. This advanced-level developer role handles sophisticated programming tasks, database design, testing, and troubleshooting. Also provides support and consultation to peers and project stakeholders. This class differs from the Software Developer-Lead in that an incumbent of the latter leads or supervises a development team in the design, modification, coding, code reviews and/or implementation of new or modified complex business applications programs.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and implement software applications based on business and technical specifications.
- Write and manage database procedures, user interfaces, APIs, and services.
- Troubleshoot issues, analyze logs, and suggest improvements to system architecture. Stay current with emerging technologies, tools, and industry trends. Architect components and systems for reuse and long-term viability. Troubleshoot and debug complex technical issues.
- Work closely with product managers, UX designers, QA engineers, and other developers to translate requirements into functional software.
- Lead and participate in code reviews, testing analysis, and security vulnerability resolution to ensure quality and adherence to standards.
- Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code following best practices.
- Participate in data migration, conversion planning, and backup procedures. Create and maintain project documentation, design diagrams, test plans, and training materials.
- Advise stakeholders on technical design options and application best practices. Estimate project timelines, cost, and resources; ensure on-time delivery of components.
- Support version control, deployment, and cross-platform system integration.
Competencies (KSA's)
Competencies:
- Manages Complexity
- Tech Savvy
- Decision Quality
- Collaborates
- Communicates Effectively
Knowledges:
- Programming Languages
- Object Oriented Programming and Mobile App Development,
- Database Development and System Architecture
- Web Services (XML, SSL)
- Cloud computing platforms
Skills:
- Code Management
- Security Enhancement
- Cross-Platform Communication
- Object Oriented Programming for Mobile
- Test Plan Execution, Data Design and Modeling
Abilities:
- Work Independently with minimal supervision
- Reliability as a team contributor
- Flexibility
- Planning and Organization
- Excellent Written and Oral Communication
Tools & Equipment
- Computer
- Telephone
- Printer and Scanner/Copier
See All 27 Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lead Software Engineer JobsLead Software Engineer Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Lead Software Engineer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Distribution & Wholesale
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead software engineer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field
- Seven or more years of software engineering experience with at least two in a lead or senior role
- Proven expertise in cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Strong proficiency in at least one modern language such as Java, Python, or Go
- Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through full software development lifecycles
- Demonstrated ability to architect scalable, high-availability systems in production environments
Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a lead software engineer in Tennessee?
Lead software engineering in Tennessee requires no state-issued license or registration. The typical path is a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering followed by several years as a mid-level engineer, then a demonstrable transition into technical leadership, such as owning a product area, mentoring junior engineers, or driving architecture decisions. Tennessee employers in healthcare IT and logistics frequently promote from within, making internal mobility a realistic route.
How much do lead software engineers make in Tennessee?
Lead software engineers in Tennessee earn a median of about $122,430 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $75,280 for the lowest 10% to over $166,380 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire lead software engineers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring lead software engineers in Tennessee right now include Oracle, BNH, and Humana, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's strong healthcare technology and supply chain sectors mean many of these openings sit inside enterprise-scale engineering organizations with multiple product teams.
Which Tennessee cities have the most lead software engineer jobs?
Nashville, Franklin, and Arnold AFB have the most lead software engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville dominates because of its dense concentration of healthcare IT companies and corporate headquarters, while Memphis benefits from the logistics and supply chain technology operations anchored by firms like FedEx, and Knoxville draws openings through its proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and growing startup ecosystem.
Are there remote lead software engineer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 62% of lead software engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how naturally the role suits distributed work. Architecture reviews, code reviews, and technical roadmap planning transfer well to remote settings, though roles requiring hands-on data center work or regulated healthcare environments tend to call for at least partial on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a lead software engineer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is an associate or junior software engineer role at a Tennessee healthcare IT firm, logistics company, or state government technology agency, building toward a lead title over several years. Large Tennessee employers like HCA Healthcare and FedEx run structured new-grad programs and internal rotations that develop engineers into team leads. Building a portfolio of full-stack or cloud projects and earning an AWS or Google Cloud certification gives candidates a measurable edge when competing for that first lead-level role.
Where can I find and apply to lead software engineer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to lead software engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and surrounding areas. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employer.
See All 27 Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lead Software Engineer Jobs