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.
Software Engineer, Sustaining Automation
$121K - $142K *
Elevate automation in software engineering by building AI-driven tools and systems. Collaborate with a focused team to enhance reliability and speed in package and image management, shaping the future...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Contribute to the development of a robust Kubernetes control plane, enhancing multi-cloud infrastructure and driving scalable architecture for enterprise-grade cloud services...
3 weeks ago
Senior AI-Assisted Test Automation Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Drive quality assurance for modern healthcare applications, ensuring reliability and maintainability through automated testing, API validation, and collaboration in an Agile environment. Contribute to...
1 week ago
$142K - $234K *
Transform the OCI registry landscape by designing and developing innovative features for quay.io. Collaborate with teams to enhance service experiences while leveraging cutting-edge AI tools for scala...
Yesterday
Senior Quality Assurance Engineer
$95K - $130K *
Empower your career by leading quality assurance efforts for critical healthcare systems. Collaborate with teams to enhance user experiences for Veterans, ensuring high-quality service delivery throug...
2 days ago
Software Engineer - AI Accelerated Development
$110K - $130K *
Innovate and drive AI agent development for clinical trial platforms, integrating LLMs through the .NET stack. Engage in hands-on engineering to deliver end-to-end AI features, enhancing patient-centr...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Adaptive
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by taking ownership of complex software challenges. Drive real-time traffic optimization through innovative AI solutions, collaborating across teams to deliver scalable and reliable s...
1 month ago
Senior Software Engineer - Open Source (RD217)
$148K - $201K *
Empower the development of our open source software solutions while collaborating with engineers and community contributors. Leverage your cloud native expertise to enhance mission outcomes through in...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on validating and optimizing Azure developer desktops. You'll design automated tests, ensure security compliance, and enhance performance metrics...
1 week ago
Senior Test Automation Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career as a Senior Test Automation Engineer, leading testing initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring software quality through innovative automation strategies...
2 days ago
$125K - $225K *
Create innovative data solutions by designing scalable pipelines and AI tools. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data quality and security, driving impactful analytics and machine lea...
1 week ago
Senior Backend Software Engineer, DX
$180K - $235K *
Lead the charge in developing robust backend applications, driving complex projects from design to launch. Collaborate across teams, mentor junior engineers, and tackle architectural challenges to enh...
1 week ago
$90K - $125K *
Innovate and design scalable, cloud-native APIs while enhancing legacy systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions, leveraging AI tools and modern techn...
3 days ago
$125K - $155K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on designing and implementing scalable systems. Collaborate on complex projects, mentor peers, and drive technical excellence while contributing to impactf...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Developer Experience
$135K - $160K *
Lead the charge in building AI-powered engineering systems that enhance developer workflows, ensuring reliability and ease of adoption for engineers. Collaborate with teams to create innovative soluti...
3 days ago
Software Engineer II, Backend (Test Infra)
$133K - $183K *
Drive developer productivity by enhancing test automation frameworks and CI pipelines. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality software delivery, optimize testing processes, and implement innovative...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Transform the e-commerce landscape by leading backend architecture and integrations on Adobe Commerce. Drive performance optimization, mentor developers, and ensure operational reliability while colla...
Yesterday
Staff Software Engineer, DevEx
$162K - $290K *
Elevate your career by shaping the technical direction of our Developer Experience team. Collaborate on cutting-edge AI coding tools and scalable infrastructures that enhance productivity across the e...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Forward Deployed Agile Software Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by driving innovative AI solutions through hands-on engineering and client collaboration. Transform complex business challenges into reliable, production-ready software while enhancin...
2 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Drive innovation by designing and developing scalable backend services, collaborating closely with engineering teams to enhance platform performance and reliability while mentoring junior developers a...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer - Verity Solutions - Remote
$130K - $217K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative, scalable software solutions that transform complex processes into actionable insights, partnering with diverse teams to deliver high-performance applications f...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $120K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and develop user-centric web applications, integrating AI-driven insights for high-stakes decision-making workflows while ensuring performance and sec...
1 week ago
$120K - $160K *
Join our dynamic team to design and develop cutting-edge AI platforms, enhancing decision-making workflows through innovative web applications and robust backend services. Collaborate across the full...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop a next-gen AI platform, focusing on intelligent agent frameworks and modern web applications. Collaborate across the full stack to enhance decision-making wor...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate our software engineering capabilities by designing and building modern, cloud-native data pipelines. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure seamless project delivery and advocate for best pr...
2 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.