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

$165K - $185K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of test automation, driving quality and performance through innovative strategies and frameworks. Collaborate within an agile team to enhance product scalability a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$190K - $267K *

Unlock potential by designing and building innovative developer tools that enhance software development processes. Collaborate across teams to improve reliability, usability, and scalability of servic...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$95K - $115K *

Innovate automated testing processes by developing AI-assisted solutions that enhance software quality and streamline CI/CD pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable testin...

Calgary, ABRemote

Today

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

$90K - $110K *

Empower quality assurance by developing AI-assisted automated tests, integrating them into CI/CD pipelines, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance software reliability and release ef...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

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

$154K - $260K *

Join a forward-thinking team to enhance user experiences through innovative AI solutions and full-stack development, impacting industries worldwide by improving workflows within the Samsara dashboard...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $115K *

Unlock your potential as a full stack engineer, collaborating in an agile team to develop innovative applications and features, while leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance product offerin...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$67K - $92K *

Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring software quality through automated testing. Collaborate with developers, execute test cases, and leverage AI tools to enhance testing processes while participa...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$152K - $190K *

Develop high-performance networking solutions using Rust for a secure client connector. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance code quality and implement impactful features while addressin...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join us to lead and shape the engineering teams driving innovative Commerce solutions. You'll define technical strategies, develop high-performing teams, and ensure exceptional customer experiences in...

Washington, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team to elevate software quality through innovative testing strategies, ensuring robust performance and scalability. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive testing initiatives and enha...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $130K *

Transform your career by designing and delivering complex full-stack solutions using Java, Spring Boot, and Angular. Collaborate with teams to enhance engineering quality and lead technical initiative...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $216K *

Champion the development of high-performance REST APIs, leading architectural decisions and mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to enhance system performance and establish best practices in...

Cambridge, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $130K *

Drive the design and implementation of complex software solutions, providing technical leadership and mentorship. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system architecture and ensure high...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading the design and implementation of complex software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive technical decisions and mentor engineers, ensuring scalable...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading Digital Test & Evaluation initiatives that integrate modern software solutions into defense workflows, enhancing efficiency and data-driven decision-making across the T&E l...

Mountain View, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$83K - $115K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of scalable web applications. Shape front-end architecture, enhance user experience, and collaborate with teams to deliver impactful features that drive per...

Ontario, CARemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$115K - $120K *

Elevate software quality by managing test planning, execution, and reporting. Collaborate with development teams, mentor junior testers, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards while drivin...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Optimize software quality by validating workflows and integrations through comprehensive testing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust test coverage, automate processes, and suppor...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $175K *

Join us to develop scalable full-stack applications using React, TypeScript, and Java. Collaborate across teams to enhance user experience and contribute to best practices in a cloud-native microservi...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$189K - $231K *

Innovate and shape the future of AI platforms as a Senior Engineer, designing and building critical subsystems for enterprise Kubernetes environments. Collaborate with customers and mentor engineers t...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $160K *

Empower our Managed Services tooling ecosystem by designing integrations and automations. You'll lead the configuration of Jira Service Management, optimize alerting, and ensure seamless connectivity...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $160K *

Elevate your career as a Staff Software Engineer, leading full-stack development in a dynamic team. Design, build, and support healthcare applications while ensuring data security and compliance in a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$124K - $195K *

Transform systems integration by designing and maintaining APIs, automating workflows, and optimizing SaaS tools. Collaborate across teams to streamline processes and provide technical support for com...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $190K *

Architect and drive the development of a cloud-native data enrichment service, ensuring performance and scalability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement best practices while mentoring...

CanadaRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $190K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of SaaS architecture. As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll design scalable solutions, mentor peers, and enhance developer experience, driving impactful modernizat...

CanadaRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information 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.