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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$96K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to shape innovative fundraising tools that empower progressive campaigns and nonprofits. Leverage modern technologies to enhance election readiness and compliance, while mentoring...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $160K *

Champion the migration to a modern Databricks lakehouse, designing robust data pipelines and ensuring data quality. Collaborate with teams to enhance analytics capabilities and set technical standards...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $135K *

Elevate your career by designing and implementing cloud infrastructure solutions in Azure. Collaborate with teams to automate deployments, optimize CI/CD pipelines, and leverage AI tools for enhanced...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform product operations by enhancing collaboration across teams and streamlining the launch processes. Utilize data-driven insights and AI to identify bottlenecks and drive efficiency, ensuring s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$182K - $215K *

Join our team to oversee application security, manage vulnerability pipelines, and collaborate with engineering teams to enhance security practices. Drive incident response and advocate for security a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Transform mission-critical applications by designing and developing scalable solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and performance while leveraging cloud infrastruct...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the design and delivery of scalable banking features, ensuring reliability and security in real-time money movement. Mentor engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams to create high-qu...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join our team as a Senior Customer Success Engineer, where you'll tackle complex technical challenges, mentor peers, and enhance processes to elevate customer success across our product portfolio...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$159K - $254K *

Join a dynamic team to design and deliver innovative Android system applications, enhancing device management and user experience. Collaborate across functions to build scalable solutions that empower...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Contribute to innovative digital solutions as a Staff Engineer, collaborating with a cross-functional team to enhance custom applications that serve hundreds of thousands. Your technical expertise wil...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$50K - $130K *

Accelerate progress at a dynamic team, developing scalable software solutions while enhancing technical and leadership skills. Collaborate with diverse teams to create, deploy, and support application...

Georgia, USRemote

1 week ago

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

$135K - $160K *

Transform the future of autonomous ground support equipment by leading product strategy and roadmap development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and reliability...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$135K - $160K *

Champion the delivery of innovative data solutions, leading cross-functional teams to modernize platforms and drive AI integration. Ensure project success through effective management of scope, qualit...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Inspire delivery excellence by leading a diverse portfolio of 20+ Scrum teams across regions. Align engineering outcomes with client priorities, enhance AI adoption, and drive measurable value through...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Make your mark at a leading platform by architecting and maintaining high-throughput AWS infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and security for millions of users while driving automation and re...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $101K *

Optimize our marketing web platform by spearheading the integration of Contentstack and Next.js. Utilize your advanced front-end skills to maintain diverse CMS and enhance development workflows throug...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $165K *

Transform your career by leading technical direction and architecture for complex systems. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation, establish standards, and mentor engineers while ensuring alignm...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$141K - $262K *

Empower your career by leading a dynamic team in software development, ensuring best practices and innovative solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive project success and foster a high-perfor...

Reston, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $92K *

Drive the resolution of technical support escalations as a key Tier 2 expert, leveraging your skills to troubleshoot issues, foster collaboration within teams, and enhance workflows in a dynamic envir...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$66K - $106K *

Shape the future of technical support by ensuring reliable operation of Shared System Maintainer cycles. Collaborate with developers and analysts to enhance testing environments and troubleshoot issue...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $170K *

Unlock your potential as a mobile tech lead, guiding teams in delivering innovative apps. Drive best practices in architecture and CI/CD while collaborating with cross-functional teams to align techni...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$165K - $295K *

Transform the landscape of application security by leading vulnerability management and developing innovative solutions across cloud, IoT, and corporate systems, while mentoring teams and ensuring the...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $295K *

Join a team that's redefining application security. In this pivotal role, you'll shape vulnerability management and mentor engineers, driving innovation and ensuring the safety of diverse cloud and Io...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $295K *

Lead the evolution of our application security programs, driving vulnerability management and automation across a multi-product environment while mentoring teams and influencing security strategies to...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $295K *

Pioneer innovative application security strategies and vulnerability management programs, driving impactful change in a high-visibility role that balances broad influence with deep technical expertise...

Dallas, TXRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise 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.