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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$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

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

Orlando, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$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...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$165K *

Champion innovative solutions as a Platform Site Reliability Engineer, enhancing infrastructure, optimizing deployment pipelines, and ensuring system reliability, scalability, and security in collabor...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

San Francisco, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

California, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

Emeryville, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$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...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Tumwater, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

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.