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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$80K - $180K *

Shape the future of software development by leading innovative projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating in a dynamic team environment to deliver high-quality applications that meet cust...

Georgia, USRemote

1 week ago

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

$123K - $159K *

Bring your expertise to advance our AI platform by building and evolving core infrastructure, enabling the development and scaling of GenAI applications. Collaborate with engineering teams to implemen...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$128K - $171K *

Lead the charge in designing and deploying robust software systems that enhance Firefox engineering. Collaborate across teams to tackle complex operational challenges and drive automation, ensuring re...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $150K *

Shape the future of quality assurance by ensuring our products meet high standards. Collaborate with engineering teams to test APIs, SDKs, and real-time integrations, while building automation for fas...

New York, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $138K *

Elevate quality assurance standards by leading testing initiatives for drone software and hardware. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define test programs, execute flight tests, and implement...

Texas, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$209K - $273K *

Grow your career with a technical leadership role tackling complex challenges while mentoring others and collaborating on impactful projects across multiple engineering teams, elevating standards and...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$265K - $279K *

Join our team to lead and innovate our data infrastructure, owning the architecture and governance of our open lakehouse. Collaborate cross-functionally, tackle complex challenges, and enhance enginee...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$238K - $322K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI in security. Lead the technical vision for LLMs and agentic systems, driving innovation and mentoring talent while optimizing performance across multiple pr...

California, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Advance security integration by leading DevSecOps initiatives, enhancing software delivery, and establishing robust security standards across engineering teams to mitigate risks and improve efficiency...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Grow with us as you manage and scale cutting-edge infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance for a rapidly expanding system serving millions of requests daily. Collaborate in a hands-on role where y...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$176K - $220K *

Drive impactful platform engineering initiatives, leveraging deep expertise to architect scalable solutions and guide clients through complex technical landscapes while fostering collaboration and inn...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $160K *

Elevate cloud security and reliability by leading DevOps practices across teams. You'll optimize AWS and GCP environments, enhance CI/CD pipelines, and ensure cost-effective engineering tools, driving...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$85K - $95K *

Elevate your career by validating and modernizing statistical models using SAS and Python. Collaborate with analysts and stakeholders to enhance analytical systems and ensure accuracy in mission-criti...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $240K *

Join us to build and operate secure infrastructure for federal and partner environments. This hands-on role focuses on Kubernetes, infrastructure as code, and production support, ensuring reliable dep...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $165K *

Champion high-performing software engineering teams, driving quality and timely delivery while aligning technical direction with business strategy. Foster collaboration and continuous improvement in a...

Nebraska, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$177K - $364K *

Join the charge in building efficient batch processing infrastructure using leading big data technologies. Drive technical projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure system scalability while collab...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$185K *

Accelerate software development by leading a team of engineers, driving technical strategy, and ensuring delivery of scalable, customer-focused solutions with operational excellence...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$276K *

Engineer innovative machine learning models to enhance product features, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure scalability and reliability. Drive AI initiatives and communicate insights...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$206K - $269K *

Innovate and solve complex challenges by leveraging machine learning and AI. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product capabilities and drive continuous improvement in a dynamic envir...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Design and optimize evaluation systems for AI agents, enhancing performance and quality through innovative metrics and benchmarks. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure agents meet user ne...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$206K - $269K *

Transform the future of machine learning solutions, driving revenue and user engagement. Lead cross-functional teams to develop and deploy advanced forecasting algorithms, enhancing business decision...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $200K *

Unlock potential by driving enterprise agent solutions with Microsoft technologies. Collaborate on agent governance, lifecycle management, and secure operations, while translating designs into product...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$140K - $190K *

Join our team to lead quality engineering transformations across multiple platform portfolios, championing automation and innovation while developing exceptional engineering talent to elevate quality...

Virginia, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$84K - $90K *

Optimize product development by collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance embedded systems, design software components, and ensure robust operation while addressing technical challenges i...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$208K - $429K *

Transform data ecosystems by leading strategic initiatives for data warehouses, analytics tools, and governance, driving impactful solutions for complex business challenges at scale while mentoring en...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Consumer 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.