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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$190K - $267K *

Join a team that's redefining web performance and developer experience. You'll tackle complex platform challenges, optimize Shreddit’s architecture, and enhance tooling for a high-traffic site, empowe...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$140K - $153K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing healthcare quality through innovative testing strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust, user-centered products while mentoring jun...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$170K - $200K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of Azure solutions, leading medium-scale client engagements and complex projects. Drive technical leadership, solution architecture, and mentoring while collaborat...

Austin, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $210K *

Engage with customers to design tailored solutions utilizing Zoo's APIs, driving adoption and ensuring successful integration, while supporting sales with technical expertise and customer demonstratio...

Los Angeles, CARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$122K - $176K *

Lead the charge in evolving a cutting-edge financial assistant, enhancing user experience through innovative features and AI integration while collaborating with cross-functional teams in a dynamic st...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$166K - $230K *

Innovate the borrower experience by leading complex software projects, shaping architecture, and mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions that enhance...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$124K - $196K *

Join a dynamic team to deliver high-quality, scalable frontend applications using React. Collaborate with designers and product managers to create exceptional user experiences while driving projects f...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion advanced ServiceNow development and integrations, optimizing enterprise environments. Provide technical leadership, mentor junior developers, and ensure scalable, secure implementations acros...

Texas, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the Mobile Development Productivity team, setting technical strategy and enhancing mobile app development efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle challenges and drive innova...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$103K - $181K *

Transform user experiences by developing and enhancing frontend applications using JavaScript, React, and TypeScript. Collaborate in an Agile environment to deliver high-quality software solutions whi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Elevate software quality by leveraging AI-driven test automation solutions. In this role, you'll design scalable frameworks, integrate Generative AI, and collaborate with teams to enhance testing effi...

Georgia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$154K - $260K *

Join an innovative team to lead and evolve critical Core Infrastructure. Oversee infrastructure strategy, improve operational health, and drive automation to boost performance across a globally distri...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Drive platform architecture and strategy, owning scalable production environments. Lead cross-team collaboration, mentor engineers, and advocate for DevSecOps practices while solving complex technical...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's building the Keycard Agent SDK to empower developers by enhancing trust, governance, and telemetry for AI agents. Collaborate on innovative solutions across multiple languages and f...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $137K *

Unlock your potential as you drive secure automation for cloud migrations, developing infrastructure as code and CI/CD pipelines. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes and ensure compliance whil...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing application performance through expert Dynatrace monitoring. Collaborate with IT professionals to analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize application performance...

St. Louis, MORemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$120K - $145K *

Contribute to our innovative health tech solutions as a Fullstack Software Engineer, enhancing user experience through scalable applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive impactful...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing software quality through innovative automation testing. You'll develop robust frameworks and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure our IT Asset Ma...

CanadaRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $175K *

Elevate D2L's Application Security Program by refining security measures, collaborating with teams, and addressing risks. Utilize your expertise in security assessments and vulnerability management to...

Kitchener, ONRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$250K - $280K *

Join a team that's redefining data storage solutions. As a senior engineer, you'll design and implement high-impact systems, ensuring performance and reliability while collaborating across teams to dr...

CanadaRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $240K *

Drive cross-domain visibility and coordination in a dynamic engineering environment. As the sole TPM, you'll ensure programs are on track, dependencies are mapped, and automation enhances efficiency a...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Optimize provider onboarding and cluster management through automated solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance data pipelines and deliver actionable insights, ensuring seamless operations and impr...

San Francisco, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$162K - $211K *

Join a dynamic engineering team to build and maintain production platforms, driving architectural decisions and mentoring junior engineers while ensuring system reliability and integration with IT Sec...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $200K *

Pioneer innovative software solutions by transforming ideas into impactful products. Collaborate across teams to enhance engineering quality and efficiency, leveraging AI tools to drive development fr...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$159K - $164K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of enterprise applications by designing and maintaining robust web solutions in Azure Government Cloud, leveraging full-stack technologies to enhance user experie...

Arlington, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.