Discover Lead Java Software Engineer opportunities for experienced developers ready to guide teams and shape complex software systems. These roles combine hands-on Java development with technical leadership, architectural decision-making, and collaboration across product and engineering teams. Explore vetted positions with salaries of $100,000 or more on Ladders.
Lead Java Software Engineers design, build, and maintain applications while helping set engineering standards and delivery direction. They may lead code reviews, mentor developers, break down technical requirements, and coordinate with stakeholders to deliver reliable software. Depending on the organization, the role can emphasize backend services, distributed systems, cloud platforms, or enterprise applications.
Employers typically seek substantial Java experience and a strong understanding of object-oriented design, data structures, APIs, and software development practices. Familiarity with frameworks such as Spring, databases, testing approaches, and cloud or distributed-system architecture is often valuable. Communication, prioritization, mentoring, and the ability to make sound technical decisions are also important for a lead role.
Lead Java Software Engineers work across industries including financial services, healthcare, technology, retail, and enterprise software. Career paths may lead to roles such as Principal Engineer, Software Architect, or Engineering Manager, depending on a professional’s strengths and goals. Browse Ladders for vetted Lead Java Software Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more and find opportunities aligned with your experience.
$158K - $213K *
Champion the design and development of an AI reasoning platform that powers personalized advertising experiences, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, intelligent solutions f...
Yesterday
$158K - $213K *
Innovate advertising solutions by designing AI-powered tools for vertical markets. Collaborate with engineers and scientists to build scalable infrastructure and simplify campaign creation in a fast-p...
1 week ago
$143K - $194K *
Contribute to innovative software solutions by designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality code. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance features and mentor junior engineers while s...
1 week ago
$143K - $194K *
Transform your career by joining a dynamic team of Software Development Engineers, where you'll design and implement innovative solutions across diverse domains, collaborating with experts to drive im...
1 week ago
$143K - $194K *
Engineer innovative software solutions across diverse domains, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain scalable applications. Contribute to cutting-edge projects in...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer in Test II (SDET II)
$83K - $115K *
Lead the charge in enhancing software quality and delivery speed by designing automated test solutions, collaborating with engineering teams, and implementing robust testing strategies throughout the...
3 days ago
Software Development Engineer, AWS
$143K - $194K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team of Software Development Engineers, driving innovation across diverse domains like AI, cloud computing, and security. Collaborate, design, and implement cutti...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer, AWS
$143K - $194K *
Explore diverse software engineering opportunities across AWS, where you'll design, develop, and maintain innovative solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle complex challenges and...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's transforming testing through automation and innovation. Leverage your coding skills to enhance software quality while collaborating closely with developers in a dynamic, agile envir...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, Developer Experience
$184K - $250K *
Transform the advertising landscape by leading AI infrastructure development, optimizing architectural decisions, and enhancing real-time analytics systems. Collaborate across teams to drive innovatio...
Yesterday
Software Development Engineer II
$143K - $194K *
Join a dynamic team to design and operate scalable services that route AWS traffic globally. Tackle complex distributed systems challenges while enhancing automation and efficiency, ensuring reliable...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer II
$114K - $191K *
Elevate customer experiences by designing AI agents that transform data into actionable insights. As a key contributor, you'll enhance response accuracy and efficiency, shaping innovative solutions in...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer II
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's dedicated to building reliable software solutions, enhancing system performance and security while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful results and mentor...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer II
$143K - $194K *
Shape the future of software development by designing and delivering scalable solutions that enhance customer experiences. Collaborate with engineers to drive operational excellence and mentor peers w...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $120K *
Drive innovation by developing and maintaining cutting-edge software solutions utilizing Vue.JS and Python. Collaborate within an Agile environment, enhancing code quality while mentoring team members...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
$80K - $95K *
Develop and maintain robust automated testing frameworks using Playwright and TypeScript. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance application quality through comprehensive UI and API testin...
3 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) - Enterprise Technology Services
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of enterprise software by developing and automating high-quality testing solutions for a next-gen Product Information Management platform, collaborating with cross-functional teams to...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer II, AWS
$143K - $194K *
Champion innovation by designing and developing cutting-edge software solutions across diverse domains. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and mentor junior engineers while...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineering - SDET
$140K - $210K *
Champion quality by designing and scaling automated testing frameworks for mobile apps, web interfaces, and point-of-sale devices, ensuring robust CI/CD pipelines and enhancing user experiences across...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer in Test II (Kubernetes)
$82K - $147K *
Elevate your career by leveraging Kubernetes and Cloud Native technologies to build a next-gen platform. Collaborate in an Agile environment to enhance product quality and streamline testing processes...
Yesterday
Software Development Engineer in Test II (Kubernetes)
$82K - $147K *
Optimize cloud-native platforms by developing tests and frameworks, enhancing product delivery speed and quality. Collaborate in Agile teams to validate architectures and troubleshoot automated pipeli...
Yesterday
Software Development Engineer in Test - Retail & Marcom
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of quality automation by designing and maintaining robust test frameworks for an eCommerce platform, ensuring comprehensive coverage and collaboration across teams...
2 days ago
Software Development Engineer II, Enterprise Productivity
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's dedicated to building scalable software solutions that enhance customer experiences. You'll own the full development lifecycle, collaborate with peers, and mentor fellow engineers w...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer in Test II
$95K - $171K *
Drive innovation in system performance and reliability by leading test strategies for a custom Linux kernel. Collaborate with a skilled team to enhance automated testing frameworks and troubleshoot co...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer in Test II
$82K - $147K *
Unlock potential by driving automated testing strategies and enhancing deployment processes. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure quality and performance across microservices, while maintainin...
2 weeks ago
What does a Lead Java Software Engineer do?
A Lead Java Software Engineer develops Java-based systems and provides technical direction for a team or project. Responsibilities can include system design, coding, code reviews, mentoring, and coordinating delivery with product and engineering partners.
What qualifications are common for Lead Java Software Engineer jobs?
Employers commonly look for extensive Java development experience, knowledge of software architecture and APIs, and familiarity with tools and frameworks such as Spring. Leadership, communication, mentoring, and collaborative problem-solving skills are also important.
How much do Lead Java Software Engineers earn?
Compensation varies by employer, location, industry, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more, so candidates can explore opportunities in that salary range.
What career paths can follow a Lead Java Software Engineer role?
Potential next steps include Principal Engineer, Software Architect, Engineering Manager, or other senior technical leadership roles. The best path depends on whether you want to deepen technical expertise or focus more on people and organizational leadership.