Lead Java Software Engineer Jobs

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.

What Does a Lead Java Software Engineer Do?

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.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Career Opportunities and Compensation

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.

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$120K - $140K *

Champion quality assurance initiatives by leveraging Python and AI-assisted practices. Drive automation improvements, enhance testing efficiency, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate...

Georgia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $200K *

Transform backend services and REST APIs in a collaborative environment. Leverage your software engineering skills to support cyber training initiatives, utilizing modern technologies and cloud infras...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$93K - $150K *

Optimize infrastructure and CI/CD pipelines to empower engineering teams in delivering AI-powered products efficiently. Collaborate closely with product and data engineers, leading projects from incep...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Transform your career by designing and developing scalable software solutions using C#, .NET, and Azure. Collaborate in a dynamic team to implement best practices in CI/CD and API development, ensurin...

Richmond Hill, ONRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$192K - $202K *

Lead the charge in architecting and integrating complex systems for a scalable retail platform. Drive multi-quarter projects, collaborate across teams, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring high...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$154K - $227K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical leader, driving scalable software solutions and mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to enhance engineering practices and deliver innovative AI-driven appli...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$165K - $196K *

Engage in building and shipping innovative features in a dynamic, cross-geo team. Collaborate with engineers and product managers to enhance backend services, ensuring performance and reliability whil...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $130K *

Design and develop scalable backend applications in a collaborative, remote environment. Engage with cross-functional teams to enhance software quality and mentor peers while ensuring high performance...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join our team to validate and enhance data migration processes through comprehensive testing, ensuring quality and performance in a dynamic Agile environment. Your expertise will drive successful syst...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$196K - $207K *

Design scalable data solutions, enhance off-platform integrations, and lead cross-team collaborations. Drive architecture modernization and AI-first initiatives while mentoring engineers and optimizin...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$250K - $400K *

Shape the future of AI by partnering with customers to design and deliver innovative data solutions. Collaborate with a senior team to tackle complex challenges and transform vague requests into actio...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Empower our data platform by designing, building, and operating core capabilities. Collaborate with teams to enhance ingestion, storage, and API functionalities, ensuring scalability and resilience wh...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$119K - $180K *

Lead the development of innovative web platforms, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance content management systems. Drive technical decisions and foster a culture of growth while ensuri...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $145K *

Lead a dynamic engineering team to design and develop complex enterprise applications, ensuring high-quality delivery and technical excellence while mentoring developers and driving modernization effo...

Sterling, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion the development of innovative observability solutions, leveraging your expertise in Go and network protocols to enhance network automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join the Platform Engineering Team to design and implement innovative solutions across infrastructure, data, and security platforms, leveraging modern technologies to enhance efficiency and security i...

Austin, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $115K *

Innovate testing strategies and enhance software quality through automated and manual verification. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance and optimize processes while leveraging AWS and full-s...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Transform your career by owning complex software features that integrate virtual machines into a secure platform. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions while establishing strong eng...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Innovate and develop complex applications for federal clients, collaborating with teams to ensure high-quality solutions. Utilize modern technologies and best practices to enhance user experience and...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Deliver high-quality software solutions by designing, developing, and maintaining enterprise-grade applications using Java, Spring Boot, and Oracle. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure s...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $159K *

Empower the future of medical technology by ensuring the highest quality in embedded systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive compliance and innovation in software development for lif...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $225K *

Transform the future of cloud commerce by leading the design and evolution of scalable, resilient systems that enhance platform reliability and drive innovation across teams and products...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $237K *

Shape the future of secure member authentication by leading a senior team in building innovative identity solutions. Drive technical decisions and design across the customer identity stack, ensuring r...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$81K - $134K *

Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring software quality through rigorous testing and validation. Collaborate with developers and stakeholders to uphold standards and enhance application performance...

New York, NYRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$250K - $280K *

Empower the development of AI observability capabilities, architecting data models and infrastructure while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user workflows and insights into AI sys...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Lead Java Software Engineer do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.