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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$115K - $175K *

Join a strategic team as you oversee complex web projects, drive digital initiatives, and promote best practices, all while collaborating across functions. Make a real-world impact while shaping the f...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$201K - $263K *

Lead a globally distributed engineering team to architect and scale enterprise-level Go-To-Market systems, ensuring seamless integration across Salesforce and other platforms while fostering a culture...

Austin, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform validation processes by ensuring compliance and data integrity for computerized systems in a regulated environment. Collaborate with teams to develop strategies and mentor junior members whi...

Wellesley, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $140K *

Unlock potential by architecting and enhancing next-gen research platforms, driving automation and reliability to provide researchers with cutting-edge tools. Collaborate in a dynamic environment brid...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $110K *

Champion the development and implementation of innovative applications. Collaborate across teams to optimize solutions throughout the Software Development Lifecycle while maintaining high standards of...

Toronto, ONRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$170K - $200K *

Lead technical direction for a healthcare data team, driving architectural decisions and cross-team initiatives to enhance compliance and operational efficiency. Elevate team performance while solving...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Explore the dynamic role of a Program Manager, overseeing end-to-end data collection programs. Drive operational excellence, client satisfaction, and strategic execution in a fast-paced environment, e...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Lead the charge in designing and building impactful backend services and APIs that enhance customer experiences across multiple products, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams in a dynamic...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$157K - $184K *

Drive impactful backend services and APIs for customer-facing platforms, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product features in a fast-paced, product-driven environment. Embrace qual...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Drive engineering excellence as a Software Engineer Team Lead, guiding a team while collaborating with enterprise clients to create innovative, scalable solutions. Balance hands-on coding and mentorin...

Mississauga, ONRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$195K - $257K *

Join a team that's enhancing blockchain infrastructure to enable scalable microservices and APIs. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation in payment systems and blockchain technology while ensuri...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $195K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of PCIe technology, enhancing high-speed communication between hardware components. Collaborate with engineers to optimize performance and reliability in cutting-ed...

Vancouver, BCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $145K *

Optimize runtime authorization strategies across diverse segments, driving technical wins and enabling Sales Engineers. Leverage deep IAM and PAM expertise to deliver impactful solutions, ensuring com...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of cloud technology by architecting scalable infrastructures, automating CI/CD processes, and enhancing operational excellence through collaboration and innovation...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$149K - $235K *

Lead complex backend projects from design to launch, tackling architecture challenges and mentoring junior developers. Collaborate across teams to drive initiatives and ensure high-quality code throug...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$126K - $140K *

Shape the future of customer success by owning technical onboarding, guiding clients through implementation, optimizing deployments, and ensuring adherence to best practices for optimal use of the pla...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Drive customer-centric solutions by translating analytics needs into actionable opportunities. Collaborate with Account Executives to enhance client relationships and deliver impactful presentations...

Idaho, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$132K - $264K *

Drive innovation by leading software development initiatives, mentoring teams, and delivering scalable, cloud-native solutions. Collaborate across functions to ensure alignment with business goals whi...

Bellevue, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$206K - $260K *

Drive the future of financial technology by designing scalable payment solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational excellence and deliver impactful services that support...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$168K - $177K *

Engineer robust backend systems that enhance logistics efficiency, ensuring timely order fulfillment and shopper compensation. Collaborate across teams to drive platform best practices and elevate sof...

CanadaRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead engineers in delivering high-quality technology. Drive performance, resource planning, and best practices across the SDLC while fostering a culture of collaboration and...

Livonia, MIRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$95K - $105K *

Contribute to the development and support of advanced missile systems as a systems engineer. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the capabilities of critical defense technologies while...

Pittsfield, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$170K - $275K *

Champion the development of advanced AI systems by designing and optimizing a flexible Agent Execution framework that integrates seamlessly with various compute environments, empowering teams to condu...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Innovate by developing scalable applications and data pipelines, leveraging Python and cloud platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to modernize enterprise systems and enhance backend serv...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Architect robust CI/CD pipelines and cloud infrastructure while driving innovation in geospatial science. Collaborate on AI architecture and ensure compliance-ready deployments across multi-cloud envi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.