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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1
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$204K - $290K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team to enhance search and recommendation systems, driving consumer engagement and merchant value through innovative technical strategies and collaborative projec...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$101K - $151K *

Help us build reliable, scalable frontend solutions to enhance shopper experiences before checkout and collaborate with teams to ensure quality and performance across all web interactions...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Engage in the development and implementation of DFT architecture for ASIC and SoC designs, ensuring seamless integration and high-quality silicon products through collaboration with cross-functional t...

Irvine, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$151K - $176K *

Lead the charge in ensuring compliance and optimization for next-gen satellite communications by translating complex regulations and providing technical guidance across multidisciplinary teams, drivin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$80K - $136K *

Lead the charge in designing and building scalable data solutions, ensuring high performance and reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver trusted data products that drive busine...

Illinois, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$143K - $286K *

Help us drive innovation as you lead the design and development of scalable platform capabilities, enhancing engineering productivity and ensuring alignment with architectural standards across teams i...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

6 days ago

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

$137K - $231K *

Optimize data infrastructure and AI solutions to drive impactful analytics and automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect scalable data models and pipelines, ensuring high-qualit...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$75K - $90K *

Elevate your career by leading a team of Onboarding Engineers, driving project efficiency, and enhancing processes. Foster collaboration and accountability while ensuring high-quality service delivery...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $215K *

Pioneer scalable innovations as a Senior Full-Stack Engineer, driving cross-functional collaboration and modern development practices to enhance operational excellence and deliver high-performance sol...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by providing technical leadership on high-impact cloud projects. Collaborate with a distributed team to enhance our cloud platform's efficiency and drive strategic initiatives acro...

Plano, TXRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Staffing

$80K - $95K *

Engage in quality assurance by testing software products to ensure reliability and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams in an Agile environment, developing testing strategies and enhan...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$124K - $196K *

Optimize backend systems by building REST APIs, enhancing integrations, and ensuring reliability. Collaborate with teams to develop CI/CD pipelines and monitor services, all while working remotely wit...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$132K - $182K *

Drive program execution across high-priority workstreams in Customer Outcomes, managing threat intelligence partnerships and AI model initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure tim...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$208K - $429K *

Inspire innovation as you lead a high-performing team to enhance large-scale platforms, driving automation and operational excellence while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement across th...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Build and enhance web applications using ColdFusion, ensuring optimal performance and documentation. Collaborate on new projects while managing server administration and supporting operational tasks i...

Sterling, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovation in web development by creating and maintaining robust Drupal applications. Collaborate across teams to ensure quality delivery and support for content management systems, enhancing us...

Arkansas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Empower your career by bridging RF cyber-research and software implementation. Lead multidisciplinary teams to define system architectures and convert findings into actionable solutions for cutting-ed...

Ontario, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$160K - $193K *

Shape the future of autonomous vehicle testing by leading a team to develop and implement innovative test strategies, ensuring safety and performance standards are met across multiple vehicle programs...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$250K - $500K+*

Optimize and innovate software kernels for hardware integration, collaborating with ML Research and Hardware Engineering teams to enhance performance and efficiency in cutting-edge technology applicat...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $210K *

Drive innovation by designing and building full-stack features for a dynamic web application, tackling complex challenges in real-time collaboration and high-performance rendering while mentoring engi...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $160K *

Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team as a Data Engineer, owning end-to-end data systems and driving platform modernization. You'll improve data reliability and work closely with cross-functio...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining energy solutions by architecting robust data pipelines. Collaborate with product teams to optimize data ingestion and ensure reliability, supporting analytics and AI init...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Transform the future of secure, reliable applications and cloud services by leveraging modern software engineering and DevOps practices to enhance delivery, security, and developer experience in a col...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$130K - $155K *

Lead the charge in developing and maintaining cloud APIs for photonic quantum hardware, optimizing microservices for performance and security while ensuring seamless integration across distributed sys...

Hoboken, NJRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Transform data solutions by architecting enterprise-grade pipelines, leading a high-performing team, and embedding best practices to create scalable, robust data environments for analysis and insights...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information 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.