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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$150K - $200K *

Lead the charge in transforming business challenges into innovative solutions by leveraging your expertise in automation and integration. Collaborate across teams to enhance operational efficiency and...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$146K - $206K *

Build innovative backend systems to enhance batch development and testing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline workflows, improve reliability, and support operational excellence in a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$164K - $226K *

Lead the charge in designing and evolving a robust entity data platform, ensuring accurate and timely data delivery while enhancing system reliability and reducing manual validation through innovative...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$167K - $230K *

Develop high-performance software for quantum processors, driving architectural decisions, mentoring teams, and tackling complex challenges. Collaborate with interdisciplinary experts to enhance softw...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $140K *

Join a team that's redefining software testing by owning the end-to-end strategy, designing automated tests, and driving best practices in an agile environment to ensure high-quality delivery across m...

Detroit, MIRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$184K - $356K *

Elevate the future of autonomous software systems by building and optimizing AI agent evaluation frameworks, enhancing usability, reliability, and performance with a collaborative engineering team ded...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$179K - $224K *

Unlock innovative solutions as you guide software engineering teams to navigate complexities and enhance integrations while mentoring diverse talents in a collaborative environment...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$199K - $274K *

Transform enterprise-scale engineering capabilities by leading the TORC function, fostering collaboration across security and operations, and delivering innovative solutions for risk and control manag...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$119K - $202K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions that enhance our proprietary technology platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality applications while optimiz...

Eden Prairie, MNRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$102K - $231K *

Empower innovation by delivering key technical features and mentoring teams. Collaborate across departments to enhance software quality and performance while driving the architectural direction of log...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$102K - $231K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions that enhance customer experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality applications while optimizing performance...

Minnesota, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$160K - $180K *

Join our dynamic Payments Growth team to build innovative backend services and APIs that empower Hosts to maximize their earnings and drive business growth. Collaborate across functions to deliver imp...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$200K - $225K *

Drive the design and delivery of innovative AI-driven applications. Oversee the full development lifecycle, ensuring scalability and reliability in multi-tenant enterprise solutions while collaboratin...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$145K - $153K *

Develop and refine algorithmic systems powering ad marketplace operations, leveraging your quantitative expertise to maximize advertiser value while balancing user experience and platform revenue in a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$113K - $140K *

Champion the reliability and performance of critical systems, driving architecture evolution and incident response. Collaborate with a skilled team across AWS and Azure, ensuring security and scalabil...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$165K - $175K *

Empower engineering teams to enhance assessment services through leadership, technical expertise, and responsible AI adoption. Drive team performance and customer outcomes across diverse product areas...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$96K - $115K *

Advance your career by building innovative solutions for fleet payments and expense management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and implement scalable applications that enh...

Portland, MERemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of financial operations by owning and modernizing financial systems, automating processes, and collaborating with engineering to streamline integrations for enhanced efficiency and re...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$162K - $186K *

Build and enhance backend services for a global insurance platform, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions and improve user experience through data-driven insights and...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$250K - $280K *

Drive innovation by designing and delivering advanced AI agents that leverage high-cardinality observability data. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance Canvas capabilities, ensuring agents perfo...

CanadaRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$183K - $206K *

Partner with us to innovate agent engineering, crafting unique observability solutions using high-cardinality data. Lead projects from prototype to production while enhancing Canvas capabilities for i...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $154K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team as you craft and execute comprehensive software test plans for mission-critical applications, ensuring quality and reliability in a fast-paced, innovative en...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$90K - $128K *

Transform data-driven applications by leveraging your software development expertise. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design, implement, and enhance solutions that improve decision-making...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $230K *

Transform mission-critical applications by collaborating with AI engineers to enhance performance, scalability, and security. Drive technical excellence and mentor peers while navigating dynamic feder...

Reston, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$75K - $90K *

Champion quality assurance by shaping testing strategies and automating workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high standards without hindering delivery. Drive efficiency and rel...

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.