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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$157K - $238K *

Join a dynamic team to leverage AI in enhancing application security. You'll assess vulnerabilities, implement fixes, and shape AI security strategies, driving innovation in a fast-paced environment w...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$157K - $185K *

Join a team that's building cutting-edge data infrastructure for enterprises. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll create production-quality agents and integrations directly within customer environm...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Empower your career by configuring and optimizing the ServiceNow platform to enhance IT service management. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop scalable solutions that meet operational needs and...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $159K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic web engineering team to design, develop, and maintain scalable applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, and enhance CI/CD practice...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$191K - $263K *

Engineer and modernize our billing systems, ensuring correct plans and revenue integration. Drive the transition from monolithic setups to scalable, independent services crucial for customer trust and...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in designing and scaling a cutting-edge payments platform, overseeing everything from backend services to user interfaces. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, hi...

San Mateo, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$95K - $115K *

Champion our AppSec program by operating scanning tools, triaging vulnerabilities, and collaborating with engineering teams to enhance security practices and ensure compliance throughout the SDLC...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$211K - $253K *

Drive the vision and strategy for enterprise deployment solutions, owning product roadmaps and competitive positioning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to adapt offerings for compliance and co...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of DevOps by designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines with cutting-edge technologies. Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams to enhance their Dev...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining the onboarding experience for human and AI agents by leading innovative UX and engineering teams. Drive growth through strategic roadmap ownership, hands-on leadership, a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$56K - $114K *

Drive the development and support of innovative ECM solutions in an Agile environment, focusing on workflow automation and integration with enterprise applications. Collaborate with cross-functional t...

Lansing, MIRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$87K - $140K *

Empower your career by tackling complex technical challenges as a Senior Engineer. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design scalable solutions, mentor peers, and drive innovation in a dynamic...

Naperville, ILRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$150K - $185K *

Lead cross-functional teams to drive excellence in software development for a SaaS platform, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes while fostering a collaborative engineering culture. Inn...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$153K - $166K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI governance in software development. As a Senior Engineer, you'll design policies and tools that ensure safe, effective use of AI coding agents, empowering d...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$135K - $160K *

Transform AI agent systems by owning technical decisions and delivery from design to production. Collaborate with stakeholders, develop workflows, and ensure reliability while mentoring engineers and...

Georgia, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $225K *

Elevate infrastructure capabilities by designing and implementing a unified platform that integrates bare-metal servers, storage, and networking for large-scale computation and AI workloads, ensuring...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$118K - $204K *

Empower innovation as you lead software architecture for a cloud-native connected vehicle platform, driving engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful solutions for...

Wisconsin, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$149K - $223K *

Unlock potential by leading enterprise AI solutions, bridging sales and technical teams to deliver impactful transformations. Engage with customers to architect scalable solutions, ensuring operationa...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $145K *

Transform product capabilities by leading strategy and execution for shared workflows, ensuring seamless integration and user experience across platforms. Drive measurable outcomes through customer in...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$208K - $234K *

Drive the growth of Honeycomb Private Cloud by leading a senior engineering team, enhancing customer relationships, and ensuring operational excellence across multiple engineering domains. Collaborate...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $170K *

Optimize customer onboarding and system integrations as a ServiceNow Technical Consultant. Drive end-to-end implementations, ensuring smooth configurations, effective UAT, and high-quality service del...

Austin, TXRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$181K - $241K *

Drive cost transparency and governance across our cloud and AI infrastructure. Lead automation and process design for a multi-cloud environment, influencing overall cost strategy while ensuring operat...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$177K - $265K *

Lead security initiatives to enhance application security across the SDLC. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed security practices, conduct threat modeling, and mentor engineers, ensuring...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$171K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of scalable data platforms. Drive innovation in cloud data architecture and pipeline automation, collaborating across teams to deliver impactf...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$105K - $160K *

Take ownership of B2B integrations as a key technical leader, collaborating across teams to deliver effective solutions that drive customer success and evolve with innovative IoT technology. Expect a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.