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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$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

$110K - $130K *

Elevate application security by driving best practices and collaborating with scrum teams. This role ensures data protection and compliance while integrating security into the software development lif...

Florida, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of application security by driving best practices and collaborating with scrum teams to ensure data protection and secure development processes. Leverage your expertise to enhance our...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$171K - $248K *

Elevate fan support through innovative technology and collaborative leadership. As a technical manager, drive the vision and execution for a best-in-class support experience, empowering your team to e...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$148K - $201K *

Empower application teams by integrating, securing, and deploying software in Kubernetes environments. Collaborate across platforms to enhance CI/CD processes and ensure reliable operations, driving i...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $241K *

Lead the charge in architecting and enhancing AI systems that empower global journalism. Drive technical direction, ensure system scalability, and mentor engineers while shaping the future of content...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$117K - $143K *

Join a team that's redefining quality engineering by leading the transition to automation. Drive strategy, mentor a global QA team, and enhance testing frameworks to ensure high-quality software deliv...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $170K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of real-time media ingestion, designing and operating distributed services that enhance communication data processing for analytics and security. Lead projects and...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$79K - $158K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing patient care through innovative software solutions. As a Software Engineer, you'll develop and maintain critical services, collaborate with cross-functional t...

Rhode Island, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $160K *

Join a team that's building innovative software for AI labs, enabling seamless management of compute resources across multiple clusters. Collaborate with engineers to create impactful solutions that e...

San Francisco, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$162K - $258K *

Drive the design and implementation of cutting-edge GenAI solutions, leading the development of LLM capabilities and ML pipelines to enhance insurance workflows and deliver impactful outcomes for cust...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$185K - $255K *

Elevate data management by designing scalable storage solutions and ingestion pipelines. Lead technical direction, optimize performance, and ensure reliable access to historical data for product teams...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team to architect and implement innovative AI applications, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver scalable, efficient solutions, and mentor junior developers while staying at the f...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Transform product security by leading strategy, conducting threat modeling, and collaborating across teams to ensure secure design and compliance. Drive innovation in security practices while mentorin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion innovation by leading the development of a modern auction platform, collaborating across teams to deliver scalable, maintainable software solutions that enhance digital marketplace operations...

Chicago, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$108K - $130K *

Build and maintain scalable backend services in a microservices architecture, leveraging modern programming languages and technologies to enhance critical banking domains and support product developme...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $150K *

Transform integrations as a Senior Developer, focusing on reliable APIs that connect with customers and partners. Collaborate across teams to engineer secure, scalable solutions, tackling production c...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$143K - $286K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead engineering efforts in backend technologies and AI-native applications, driving innovation and operational excellence while mentoring top talent and fostering a culture...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

1 week ago

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

$143K - $286K *

Drive platform-level execution of software and AI/ML systems, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities. Lead cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, and champion DevOps practices to enhance inno...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

2 weeks ago

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

$150K - $184K *

Lead the charge in enhancing platform security and infrastructure as a Senior Software Engineer. Utilize your Python expertise and SRE mindset to drive critical improvements, mentor teammates, and ens...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $145K *

Drive innovative software solutions by developing robust, cloud-native systems that enhance provider data management capabilities and meet the evolving needs of clients in a dynamic, collaborative env...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $180K *

Shape the future of our iOS platform by designing and implementing scalable features. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that enhance client interactions with emis...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $150K *

Empower our Digital team as a Senior Software Engineer, driving full stack development and modernization initiatives. Collaborate closely to enhance our Digital Banking platform, architecting new APIs...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $180K *

Optimize the CI/CD infrastructure for a cutting-edge robotics simulation platform. Collaborate with developers and QA to enhance software delivery, ensuring reliability and efficiency across multiple...

Toronto, ONRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$117K - $234K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in software engineering by designing scalable solutions, collaborating across functions, and mentoring junior engineers to enhance operational excellence and deli...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

5 days ago

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

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.