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.
Member of the Technical Staff - Provider Tools
$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...
Yesterday
Sr. Principal Platform Engineer
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
3 days ago
Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer
$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...
1 week ago
$63K - $129K *
Contribute to system quality by executing test cases, analyzing requirements, and validating functionality to ensure compliance and stability in a fast-paced environment. Collaborate with teams to enh...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Director, Software Engineering - Platform Development
$150K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to lead the development of innovative Microsoft-based platforms, driving modernization and AI integration while ensuring robust, scalable, and secure solutions in a highly regulate...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing pharmacy operations with AI. As a Software Engineer, you'll independently ship impactful features and fixes, collaborating closely with experienced engineers in a fa...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Software Engineer - Front-End
$125K - $200K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing user engagement through innovative front-end solutions. You'll leverage modern web technologies to build secure, high-performance financial applications that...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - Reporting & Insights
$287K - $320K *
Join a team that's redefining financial insights through AI. As a senior technical leader, you'll shape the multi-year strategy for Reporting & Insights, guiding engineering teams to innovate and scal...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer II, Applied AI
$125K - $150K *
Architect AI-driven solutions that automate workflows across teams, enhancing efficiency and productivity. Collaborate with diverse departments to design, deploy, and iterate on intelligent agents, sh...
2 weeks ago
Lead Software Engineer, AI Platform
$164K - $240K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build AI infrastructure, ensure reliability and security, and guide technical direction while fostering engineer development. Lead innovative projects that e...
Reposted 1 week ago
$225K - $265K *
Lead and mentor a diverse team of backend engineers in EDR remediation, transforming insights into actionable product capabilities while managing scope and fostering collaboration across engineering t...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Native Editor Platform
$115K - $219K *
Transform the Unity Editor by developing cross-platform API abstractions using modern C++. Collaborate with seasoned engineers to enhance user experiences across Windows, macOS, and Linux while mainta...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Solve security challenges by owning and enhancing our security program. Lead CorpSec, SecOps, and compliance efforts while building a robust security culture in a fast-paced, remote environment...
1 week ago
Software Engineer 5 – Model Development and Management, AI Platform
$466K - $500K+*
Accelerate progress at the forefront of ML infrastructure, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and implement user-centric solutions that enhance model development and deployment for di...
1 week ago
Platform Site Reliability Engineer
$165K *
Champion innovative solutions as a Platform Site Reliability Engineer, enhancing infrastructure, optimizing deployment pipelines, and ensuring system reliability, scalability, and security in collabor...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$210K - $247K *
Elevate application security by leading initiatives and shaping best practices across multiple programming languages, while collaborating with engineering teams to ensure that security is integrated a...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior/Staff Full Stack Software Engineer
$180K - $240K *
Unlock innovative solutions as you build full-stack applications for federal partners, focusing on user experience, security, and seamless integrations. Collaborate with engineers and product teams to...
Today
Staff Software Engineer, Service Configuration Deployments
$177K - $364K *
Drive the technical vision for configuration ecosystems, ensuring robust, scalable solutions across services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance infrastructure and streamline operation...
Yesterday
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Reliability Platform)
$153K - $213K *
Join a dynamic team to design and build a robust reliability platform, integrating traditional systems engineering with AI-assisted development. Drive quality and innovation while fostering collaborat...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $140K *
Transform infrastructure and deployment modernization efforts, serving as a technical cornerstone for multiple programs. Drive DevSecOps maturity and cloud adoption while ensuring secure, rapid delive...
Yesterday
Senior Site Reliability Engineer
$168K - $270K *
Transform large-scale GPU cloud infrastructure by building automation frameworks and self-healing systems. Engage in the full lifecycle of services, enhancing reliability and efficiency while reducing...
3 days ago
Senior Manager, Software Development
$95K - $135K *
Drive technical excellence and team growth by leading software development initiatives, managing resources, and ensuring project alignment with business goals while maintaining security and operationa...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Customer Portfolio Enablement
$116K - $145K *
Empower innovation by delivering resilient software solutions, driving data migration, and enhancing customer onboarding experiences. Collaborate in a dynamic team to build automation and support seam...
3 weeks ago
Quality Assurance Tester (IT Quality Assurance - Journey)
$85K - $115K *
Help us ensure quality by executing comprehensive testing for system enhancements and upgrades. Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze requirements and deliver actionable documentation, all while ma...
1 week 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.