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.
$200K - $275K *
Join a team that's scaling innovative distributed systems across our platform, shaping technical frameworks, and driving organizational growth while collaborating with talented engineers in a dynamic...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Manager, Software Engineering (Sales Technology)
$135K - $160K *
Champion engineering excellence by leading a dynamic team focused on developing and modernizing critical software platforms. Drive innovation, ensure reliability, and foster a culture of accountabilit...
Today
Software Engineering Manager, Billing
$150K - $180K *
Champion the evolution of our billing systems by leading a dynamic engineering team. Drive strategy, ensure accuracy, and collaborate across departments to enhance customer trust as we scale our usage...
1 week ago
Data Quality & Test Automation Engineer (Senior)
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by independently validating data pipelines and reporting outputs, ensuring accuracy and quality in support of AI integration and data analysis activities. Collaborate with cross-funct...
2 days ago
$130K - $155K *
Join a dynamic team to architect and deliver a cloud-native maintenance planning tool, driving modernization efforts and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution an...
Yesterday
Staff Engineer, Experimentation
$182K - $251K *
Champion the creation of advanced statistical engines and experimentation systems, driving data-informed decision making at scale. Collaborate across teams to enhance product impact and performance, w...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the development of advanced simulation capabilities to validate technology and services, ensuring alignment with internal teams and managing customer requests while integrating external tools for...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Transform business workflows by developing and maintaining applications that enhance productivity and information sharing across teams. Collaborate with IT and business units to deliver innovative sol...
Reposted yesterday
Backend Software Engineer, SDK
$145K - $200K *
Transform your career by developing robust SDKs that empower customers globally. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and resiliency while contributing to open-source project...
1 week ago
$85K - $97K *
Contribute to innovative software solutions by designing, coding, and deploying full-stack applications. Collaborate in agile sprints to enhance integrations and ensure secure, accessible coding pract...
2 days ago
$85K - $97K *
Accelerate progress at our team by developing and deploying full-stack solutions. Collaborate on REST APIs, enhance legacy applications, and ensure secure coding practices while delivering high-qualit...
2 days ago
$85K - $97K *
Elevate your career by designing and deploying full-stack solutions, integrating REST APIs, and ensuring secure coding practices while collaborating in agile sprints to enhance VA enterprise services...
2 days ago
$85K - $97K *
Advance your career by designing and deploying full-stack solutions, integrating REST APIs, and enhancing legacy applications while ensuring secure coding practices and compliance with accessibility s...
2 days ago
$85K - $97K *
Transform software solutions by designing, coding, and deploying full-stack applications. Collaborate in agile sprints to enhance integrations and ensure secure coding practices while delivering high...
2 days ago
$85K - $97K *
Engineer robust full-stack solutions, integrating REST APIs and enhancing legacy applications while ensuring secure coding practices and compliance with accessibility standards in a dynamic, agile env...
2 days ago
$85K - $97K *
Join a dynamic team to design, develop, and deploy full-stack solutions, enhancing VA enterprise services through innovative REST APIs and secure coding practices while ensuring compliance with access...
2 days ago
Contract Staff Software Engineer - WebCompat & Bug Triage
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing web compatibility by diagnosing and fixing site-breakage bugs. Collaborate with AI tools to streamline processes and improve user experience across various pl...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Software Engineer, Collaborative Web Platform
$175K - $219K *
Elevate engineering excellence by guiding technical strategy and best practices across teams. Lead architectural vision, ensure reliability and security, and foster collaboration to build a cutting-ed...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Remote Progress Software Developer
$100K - $123K *
Elevate your career by developing innovative Progress applications that drive global logistics solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver high-quality software while supporting major projec...
3 weeks ago
Test and Integration Engineer - Survivable Airborne Operations
$90K - $110K *
Champion innovative recovery technologies by integrating and testing mission-critical systems. Collaborate with engineers to ensure reliable performance and swift recovery, while engaging in hands-on...
Yesterday
Managing Engineer (Java Engineering)
$120K - $193K *
Join a team that's redefining software engineering excellence by leading high-performing teams in building and modernizing enterprise applications. Drive technical strategy, foster innovation, and ens...
2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Platform Team
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of distributed systems, enhancing research and trading workflows. Collaborate with experts to build scalable, reliable platform services that drive innovation and...
Today
Staff Software Engineer (Remote)
$120K - $190K *
Lead the charge in optimizing cloud costs by developing innovative solutions with a dynamic team. Drive product design and execution while mentoring junior engineers to enhance their skills and foster...
2 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing healthcare technology by developing and maintaining our Electronic Health Record platform using Ruby. Collaborate in an agile environment to deliver impactful...
1 week ago
QA / Test Engineer (ITSM Platform)
$72K - $111K *
Elevate quality assurance efforts for ITSM applications by devising test strategies, executing various testing methodologies, and ensuring stakeholder acceptance. Drive continuous improvement while co...
1 month 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.