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.
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.
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.
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.
Sr Software Engineer, Supply Chain Delivery (Remote)
$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...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, AI/ML Infrastructure
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Site Reliability Engineer, Tools & Systems
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
1 week ago
Senior QA Engineer - DroneDeploy
$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...
4 weeks ago
$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...
1 month ago
Staff Software Engineer, Data Governance & Foundations
$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...
Reposted today
$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...
Yesterday
Senior Software Security Architect
$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...
Yesterday
$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...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Principal Software Engineer (Remote)
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
3 days ago
Senior SAS/Python Model Validation and Modernization Developer
$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...
1 week ago
Senior/Staff DevOps Engineer, Federal
$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...
Today
Sr Manager - Software Engineering
$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...
Yesterday
Staff Software Engineer, Batch Processing Platform
$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...
Reposted today
$185K *
Accelerate software development by leading a team of engineers, driving technical strategy, and ensuring delivery of scalable, customer-focused solutions with operational excellence...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
$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...
3 days ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
$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...
1 week ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
$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...
1 week ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
$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...
1 month ago
Solutions Engineer - Agents & Automation
$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...
1 week ago
Senior Manager, Quality Engineering
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$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...
1 month ago
Sr. Staff Software Engineer, Data Product Platform
$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...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
What does a Lead Java Software Engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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.