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.
Forward Deployed Engineer (TypeScript + AI) - Remote - USA
$120K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as a Forward Deployed Engineer, bridging AI solutions with enterprise needs. Collaborate closely with clients to architect and implement robust systems, ensuring real-world appli...
1 week ago
Forward Deployed Engineer (TypeScript + AI) - Remote - USA
$120K - $140K *
Advance your career by embedding with enterprise teams to architect and build AI systems that thrive in real environments. Engage as a consultant, operator, and engineer to deliver impactful solutions...
1 week ago
Senior/Staff Software Engineer, Search
$150K - $180K *
Transform the geocoding platform by enhancing data quality and search systems. Leverage ML and LLMs to optimize query understanding and automate data pipelines, impacting over 1 billion API calls dail...
1 week ago
Forward Deployed Engineer (TypeScript + AI) - Remote - USA
$120K - $140K *
Transform enterprise solutions by embedding with teams to architect and build AI systems that thrive in real environments. Engage as a consultant, operator, and engineer to deliver impactful results s...
1 week ago
Software Engineer- AI/ML, AWS Neuron Distributed Training - Performance Optimization
$143K - $223K *
Join a team that's focused on optimizing distributed training performance, enhancing efficiency across extensive ML model families while collaborating directly with architects and engineers to push th...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Workforce Solutions Engineer
$104K - $153K *
Unlock your potential by leading the technical delivery of workforce applications. Collaborate with teams to enhance productivity through automation, AI, and integrations, ensuring secure and efficien...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Manage and optimize cloud infrastructure solutions on Azure, focusing on Kubernetes and CI/CD pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production services, ensuring high availabil...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead a team to enhance data quality across products, ensuring reliability and governance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement effective testing strategies and maintain high performanc...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of cloud security solutions by leading technical sales pursuits, collaborating with clients and internal teams to deliver tailored compliance strategies and drive successful implement...
Yesterday
Senior Software Engineer, Public Sector
$180K - $200K *
Champion innovation by developing scalable backend solutions and troubleshooting complex issues within our Cyber-Physical Systems platform. Collaborate with global teams to enhance performance and ens...
1 week ago
Member of the Technical Staff - Systems
$130K - $160K *
Innovate by designing and building high-performance systems that enhance storage, networking, virtualization, and container runtimes. Collaborate with a team to deliver scalable distributed solutions...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Data Services
$130K - $160K *
Lead the development of robust blockchain data systems, enhancing performance and reliability. Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful solutions that improve data quality and user experience while...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Innovate order management solutions by implementing and integrating OMS capabilities, enhancing eCommerce and fulfillment systems through complex integrations and driving continuous improvement in a f...
Reposted 2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion middleware and web-services platforms, ensuring stability, security, and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support enterprise applications in complex environments while...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Containers
$157K - $184K *
Engineer and elevate our core product by developing innovative features, tools, and infrastructure while collaborating closely with a dedicated team to maintain high-quality standards and drive techni...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Technical Services Engineer - Federal
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to providing exceptional post-sales technical support for federal clients. You'll troubleshoot complex systems, collaborate with engineering teams, and ensure seamless ope...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Elevate our engineering infrastructure by leading the design and development of scalable platform systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance, streamline deployments, and drive operationa...
1 week ago
Software Engineer I, Fullstack (Search)
$115K - $165K *
Join a team that's redefining the shopping experience by enhancing search capabilities. Collaborate with stakeholders to balance speed and quality, ensuring robust backend systems while fostering comm...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer I, Fullstack (Search)
$101K - $151K *
Elevate your career by collaborating with a dynamic team to design and develop scalable backend systems. Contribute to impactful projects while ensuring quality and speed, fostering a sense of communi...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $150K *
Lead the charge in enhancing infrastructure reliability and automation for large-scale game development projects, collaborating with teams to implement cloud solutions and streamline CI/CD processes...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer II, Mobile - Revenue Experimentation (AI Native)
$118K - $216K *
Innovate and drive growth by designing and executing high-velocity monetization experiments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform hypotheses into impactful Android features, leveraging...
2 weeks ago
$202K - $318K *
Accelerate progress at our AI-driven platform by leading a high-performing engineering team. Oversee technical direction, manage people, and ensure quality to deliver impactful agent experiences acros...
1 month ago
Senior Software Engineer - Front End/Back End (Library of Congress)
$120K - $150K *
Unlock potential by leading software engineering initiatives, mentoring junior engineers, and driving improvements in development processes. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver impactful solution...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Software Engineer (Platform Core)
$130K - $170K *
Transform backend services and APIs for high-volume interactions, ensuring reliability and performance. Drive platform evolution through hands-on design and implementation, collaborating with cross-fu...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$112K - $169K *
Elevate service reliability by developing and implementing code that enhances scalability. Collaborate with teams to maintain code quality, respond to incidents, and improve operational processes in a...
Yesterday
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.