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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$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

$127K - $163K *

Elevate web development by owning AI-driven systems and integrating legacy platforms. Manage multiple properties, ensuring seamless migrations and automation while maintaining quality and performance...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$135K - $251K *

Engineer innovative software solutions by leading development activities, applying advanced programming techniques, and ensuring adherence to standards throughout the software lifecycle to address com...

Virginia, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$174K - $273K *

Lead the charge in a high-impact Growth team, managing and mentoring engineers, optimizing delivery, and driving product strategy to enhance customer acquisition and engagement efficiently...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $125K *

Champion data engineering excellence by designing and maintaining robust data pipelines and analytics solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance data quality and support enterprise-level data...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in advancing enterprise automation capabilities, driving quality engineering innovation, and influencing strategic decisions across a rapidly growing organization, enhancing software r...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $140K *

Contribute to the development of a modern platform by building features, connecting systems, and improving data usability. Engage with stakeholders and troubleshoot to deliver reliable software as par...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$225K - $325K *

Elevate your career by driving innovation in FinTech. As a key engineer, you'll shape the future of revenue management systems, ensuring accuracy and reliability while collaborating across teams to op...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $286K *

Innovate with us as a technical leader, driving scalable platform solutions and AI integration. Collaborate across teams to enhance reporting accuracy and deliver high-quality outputs that support str...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

2 weeks ago

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

$85K - $105K *

Join our Client Success team as a Senior Support Engineer, where you'll elevate support standards, foster client relationships, and collaborate with developers to resolve complex issues, ensuring exce...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $175K *

Engineer and optimize enterprise platforms for diverse environments, ensuring seamless deployment and support. Collaborate with clients to enhance cybersecurity, compliance, and observability solution...

Virginia, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead mobile development in an AI-first environment. Drive innovation, mentor engineers, and shape user experiences across platforms while collaborating closely with product...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Elevate our search capabilities by architecting high-scale solutions, leading multi-quarter transformations, and ensuring operational excellence across a global cloud infrastructure while mentoring em...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$250K - $413K *

Unlock potential by developing scalable, distributed systems that enhance our core backend services, impacting APIs, messaging, and payments. Collaborate with a talented team to solve complex challeng...

Los Gatos, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$172K - $229K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of autonomous vehicle software by diagnosing and deploying solutions. Join a dynamic team to enhance capabilities and resolve complex challenges in a high-stakes e...

Las Vegas, NVRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$140K - $190K *

Innovate software solutions in dynamic environments, collaborating with operators and engineers to rapidly prototype and deploy mission-critical capabilities. Leverage your technical expertise to inte...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$217K - $303K *

Lead the charge in evolving a cohesive design system for Android, enhancing UI architecture and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build reusable components and improve accessibil...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$130K - $160K *

Take ownership of complex projects and drive technical direction in a dynamic environment. You'll play a crucial role in enhancing product functionality and infrastructure to accelerate growth and imp...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Unlock potential by joining a cross-functional team to design and implement scalable AI workflows on a multi-cloud data platform, ensuring secure data governance and integration for enterprise applica...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$130K - $150K *

Lead the charge in designing and implementing HR Service Delivery solutions, integrating Microsoft 365 with ServiceNow. Optimize employee experiences through automated workflows and seamless connectio...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $150K *

Elevate employee experiences by designing and implementing HR solutions. Lead technical projects, optimize integrations with Microsoft 365, and mentor developers to enhance ServiceNow capabilities and...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Transform your career by designing and scaling a cutting-edge cloud-native data platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust data services and optimize data pipelines in a dynam...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.