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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$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

$217K - $303K *

Advance the Android Platform by leading technical direction and cross-team initiatives, focusing on client health, developer experience, and app architecture to enhance performance and reliability for...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$145K - $190K *

Lead the charge in designing and optimizing scalable data pipelines using Azure, PySpark, and Airflow. Collaborate with teams to ensure data quality and performance while mentoring engineers and drivi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive reliability and performance as you enhance our platform's uptime, observability, and operational standards. Collaborate with engineering teams to tackle complex challenges in data processing and...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $220K *

Inspire innovation as you lead the architecture and development of scalable supply chain solutions, mentoring engineers and driving excellence in a dynamic, cloud-native environment focused on global...

Bentonville, ARRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$115K - $175K *

Lead the creative program management efforts, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality projects across various marketing initiatives. Drive process improvements and foster collaboration within a dynam...

Seattle, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $185K *

Shape the future of data engineering by leading the architecture and evolution of a robust enterprise data platform, ensuring reliability and integration across analytics, reporting, and AI capabiliti...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$153K - $213K *

Take ownership of a customer-facing product area, driving strategy and execution. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance user experience, leverage AI, and achieve key performance metrics while deli...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to building and enhancing CI/CD pipelines, ensuring secure and efficient software delivery for critical programs. Collaborate with diverse teams to maintain high standards...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $270K *

Join a team pioneering AI/ML platform engineering, enhancing scalable infrastructure to empower scientific innovation. Shape the future of distributed systems and MLOps, collaborating across teams to...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $175K *

Drive the integration of AI tools into a secure cloud platform for capital markets, ensuring compliance and security while collaborating with top law firms and engineering teams to enhance document wo...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Champion security excellence by driving secure SDLC practices, managing compliance, and leading incident response. Collaborate with DevOps and ensure robust risk management practices to protect vital...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $225K *

Drive backend engineering solutions that ensure scalability and reliability, collaborating closely with product teams. Own critical systems and adapt swiftly in a startup environment, delivering value...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of finance by optimizing data pipelines, enhancing reporting systems, and collaborating with stakeholders. Drive insights and analytics to improve financial proce...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in building a secure, self-service developer sandbox on Azure, delivering non-persistent desktops and managing the entire stack from landing zone to golden image while ensuring complia...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$179K - $224K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality member-facing systems. As an Engineering Manager, you'll lead a squad through the entire development lifecycle, ensuring accountability, quality...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $200K *

Champion the resolution of complex technical issues for clients, leveraging expertise in Linux, networking, and cloud environments. Collaborate with teams to enhance service delivery and operational c...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$245K - $260K *

Join a team that's redefining Digital Employee Experience and Unified Observability. As a Solutions Engineer, you'll partner with sales to drive technical strategies, solve complex challenges, and enh...

Ararat, NCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$104K - $166K *

Optimize your career by ensuring the performance and scalability of critical AWS platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, automated solutions while enhancing operational e...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$104K - $166K *

Optimize AWS cloud infrastructure by designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and reliability while automating proces...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$104K - $166K *

Elevate the performance and reliability of critical AWS cloud platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize infrastructure, automate processes, and ensure secure, scalable solutions t...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$104K - $166K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing AWS cloud infrastructure, ensuring performance and reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, scalable solutions while enhancing...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.