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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$106K - $284K *

Drive innovative software development strategies while leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions. Foster collaboration, mentor talent, and manage project timelines to achieve or...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Drive innovation in insurance technology by transforming Gosu customizations into Java. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design scalable backend services and APIs, enhancing the Guidewire Cl...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$128K - $170K *

Advance your career by designing and delivering scalable software solutions. Collaborate with teams to address challenges while enhancing product quality and performance in the healthcare supply chain...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Unlock potential by leading full-stack Java development teams to drive innovative AI solutions. Lead architecture and design while mentoring engineers, ensuring scalable and secure enterprise systems...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in data analysis to drive operational excellence in healthcare. Collaborate across teams to interpret complex datasets and ensure compliance with regulato...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$168K - $177K *

Empower advertisers by leading high-impact projects that enhance campaign management, optimize platform health, and drive revenue growth through innovative backend services and APIs. Collaborate acros...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$180K - $240K *

Transform the future of distributed systems by designing and building robust platform components. Collaborate with teams to ensure reliability and scalability in mission-critical environments, driving...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Empower quality through engineering excellence and automation. Drive innovation by integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, collaborating with teams to elevate software standards and preven...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $185K *

Unlock potential by driving innovative infrastructure solutions for scalable deployments, collaborating with customers to refine requirements, and enhancing operational efficiency through automation a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $148K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AEC software by leading engineering talent and enhancing workflows. Drive innovation in Autodesk Revit add-ins and tools while fostering a collaborative enviro...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$69K - $107K *

Champion client success by leveraging technical expertise to enhance platform value, optimize workflows, and drive measurable outcomes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative so...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $160K *

Lead the charge in managing AWS co-sell relationships, driving demand generation, and executing strategies to close deals. Collaborate with AWS account teams and ScaleOps AEs to optimize pipeline perf...

New York, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$106K - $213K *

Elevate digital engineering by designing and implementing scalable software solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving innovation in data analytics projects to meet business obj...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, collaborating with a seasoned team to tackle complex challenges. Drive product development in a fully remote environment, focusing on user n...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$208K - $306K *

Join a team that's redefining engineering excellence by leading platform services that enhance software development. Drive innovation, consolidate capabilities, and foster a culture of collaboration t...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$188K - $265K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI infrastructure by leading technical direction, ensuring platform architecture meets company ambitions, and fostering collaboration across engineering teams f...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$193K - $309K *

Innovate scalable software solutions for payroll onboarding, enhancing functionality and reliability. Collaborate with diverse teams, mentor peers, and drive improvements in engineering productivity w...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Transform digital experiences for military families by developing secure, responsive websites and applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user engagement and accessibility whi...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $260K *

Shape the future of fleet navigation by owning end-to-end projects, delivering high-quality software across platforms, and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance user experiences in complex envir...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $115K *

Unlock the potential of our data infrastructure by optimizing databases, leading projects, and collaborating with teams to ensure data integrity and scalability in a dynamic environment...

London, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$162K - $290K *

Shape the technical direction of a geospatial platform, building scalable systems and APIs that enhance location-aware experiences across products, while collaborating with teams to drive innovation a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Unlock potential by leading full stack development for e-commerce and consumer apps. Collaborate across teams to innovate with AI, ensuring quality and performance while mentoring engineers and shapin...

Houston, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Drive the design and development of resilient AWS serverless services, collaborating with senior engineers to enhance platform capabilities while ensuring operational excellence and high-quality autom...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $210K *

Innovate and lead the technical vision for large-scale product systems, driving cross-functional initiatives and engineering excellence while mentoring teams to enhance growth and impact across multip...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Take ownership of product strategy and execution, driving innovation in code transformation across diverse technical domains. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions for...

RemoteRemote

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.