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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$75K - $135K *

Lead the design and implementation of enterprise software solutions, collaborating with diverse teams to enhance provider data processes and ensure compliance with industry standards while driving per...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$184K - $356K *

Shape the future of wireless communication by leading the development of cutting-edge 5G/6G systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize performance and scalability, driving innovation...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $110K *

Transform the future of tax preparation by designing and building innovative software solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver high-quality products that prioritize user needs and data se...

Sacramento, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$193K - $309K *

Empower the development of innovative features on a high-traffic Orders platform, collaborating across teams to enhance architecture and tooling, ensuring efficient processing for over 1 billion order...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$96K - $151K *

Join a team that's transforming healthcare by developing analytic products from clinical data. Collaborate in an agile environment to deliver insights that enhance efficacy and drive innovation in the...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$225K - $265K *

Drive the development of seamless integrations for security platforms, leading a team to deliver high-quality, reliable products that enhance customer security stacks and ensure compatibility with evo...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Manage complex cybersecurity verification programs across large-scale data center projects. Lead coordination among diverse teams, ensuring operational readiness and technical integration throughout c...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$82K - $123K *

Champion AI innovation by driving tool adoption, engineering practices, and workforce enablement across the enterprise. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, influencing leaders and building future...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$171K - $235K *

Develop and lead education-first technical sessions within enterprise accounts, fostering collaboration with engineers to build champions, enhance user knowledge, and uncover opportunities for expansi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $180K *

Transform identity governance at scale by leading the SailPoint ISC platform. Drive strategy, architecture, and compliance across global operations while collaborating with cross-functional teams to e...

Brooklyn, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic Global SRE team focused on enhancing software reliability and observability. Collaborate with teams to implement best practices and innovative solutions, ensuring...

United StatesRemote

Today

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

$135K - $160K *

Join a team of expert engineers to innovate a Kubernetes resource management platform, enhancing DevOps productivity and addressing complex engineering problems in a dynamic environment...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $196K *

Unlock potential by shaping the demo experience through innovative tooling and infrastructure. Collaborate across teams to enhance product communication and drive secure access solutions, all while le...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$115K - $172K *

Shape the future of healthcare by leading complex data ingestion initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive program delivery, manage risks, and ensure operational excellence while t...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$140K - $260K *

Empower creators by developing innovative payment systems that enhance user experience. Join a dynamic team focused on building robust backend solutions and driving impactful projects in subscription...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$200K - $285K *

Join a team that's pivotal in ensuring our cloud infrastructure is reliable and scalable. You will build, operate, and enhance production systems using Kubernetes, AWS, and automation, making an impac...

San Mateo, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$130K - $155K *

Join a team that's dedicated to building innovative marketplace solutions. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software, enhancing fle...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$57K - $108K *

Optimize existing applications in the Supply Chain by troubleshooting, enhancing, and documenting web solutions. Collaborate with users and support teams to ensure stability and reliability while driv...

Cedar Rapids, IARemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $160K *

Empower our team as an Infrastructure Product Engineer, innovating scalable solutions and transforming complex infrastructure into impactful capabilities that enhance customer experience and performan...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $220K *

Drive the development of innovative security systems using AI/ML, managing risk across identity and access management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security while maintaining ope...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$225K - $265K *

Accelerate progress at a mission-critical team, leading Data Streaming to enhance data ingestion pipelines. Build a skilled team, ensure pipeline reliability, and collaborate cross-functionally to sup...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$101K - $135K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of healthcare technology by designing and enhancing our build and delivery infrastructure. Collaborate with architects and developers to implement best practices...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Reimagine enterprise-grade authorization systems by designing scalable, secure solutions that enhance user access management. Lead architectural direction and foster collaboration across teams to deli...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join us to validate complex workflows in Privileged Access Management, ensuring high standards for reliability and security across cloud integrations and enterprise environments. Collaborate with engi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $250K *

Elevate the search experience by designing and evolving a robust backend system that powers millions of searches. Collaborate across teams to enhance scalability, reliability, and maintainability whil...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.