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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$91K - $163K *

Drive innovation in cloud infrastructure by developing advanced Terraform modules and mentoring engineers. Lead technical delivery and enhance platform capabilities across Azure and AWS, ensuring secu...

Eden Prairie, MNRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Lead and inspire a dynamic team in delivering high-quality Pega projects. Oversee project execution, foster continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with business goals while mentoring team member...

Tempe, AZRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $220K *

Empower a dynamic team of software engineers to innovate and deliver impactful tech solutions, collaborating with cross-functional partners to enhance pediatric healthcare for children with special ne...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$66K - $131K *

Join a team that's shaping innovative software solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to design, develop, and maintain applications while ensuring quality and efficiency in a dynamic environment. Gr...

Baltimore, MDRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $150K *

Lead the charge in driving program delivery and portfolio management for a dynamic Security team, ensuring effective execution of enterprise initiatives while fostering cross-functional collaboration...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$94K - $118K *

Unlock potential by driving application security initiatives through innovative tooling and automation. Collaborate closely with engineering teams to safeguard cloud platforms and implement security b...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $120K *

Champion quality assurance in GIS software by developing test plans, validating data, and ensuring reliability for Army geospatial applications. Collaborate with experts to enhance automated testing p...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $230K *

Transform healthcare data ecosystems as a Senior Forward Deployed Engineer, leading platform-specific builds to modernize legacy systems into AI-ready lakehouses while collaborating with client data t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $240K *

Lead the development of innovative software solutions while mentoring a talented engineering team. Collaborate with cross-functional partners to enhance product quality and drive strategic vendor rela...

Georgia, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$100K *

Take ownership of product health and growth by directing AI coding agents, ensuring quality and efficiency in production. Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful changes while maintaining document...

Eugene, ORRemote

1 week ago

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

$187K - $234K *

Empower the Integrations team to scale impact by leading third-party integrations, creating reusable capabilities, and fostering a collaborative culture that drives effective delivery and continuous i...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$135K - $160K *

Engineer innovative cloud-native solutions by leading architecture design and implementation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive technical strategies while mentoring talent, ensuring pro...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $100K *

Deliver advanced field service support for Promega instrumentation, ensuring installation, training, and repairs meet customer service standards. Collaborate with teams to enhance service documentatio...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $200K *

Join us to drive AI integration by transforming client workflows into live agents. You'll manage the entire process from scoping to deployment, collaborating with teams to deliver impactful solutions...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Empower transformative telehealth solutions by designing and implementing robust software infrastructure. Join a dynamic team to innovate, automate, and streamline applications, impacting the healthca...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Unlock potential by leading the architecture and development of secure, scalable Java applications for mission-critical systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive modernization and cloud adoption...

Sterling, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Design and implement cutting-edge AI/ML solutions for enterprise systems, integrating multiple technologies to transform unstructured data into actionable insights and ensuring compliance throughout t...

Chantilly, VARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $130K *

Lead the charge in quality assurance by implementing robust testing strategies and frameworks. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product reliability and efficiency, ensuring high stan...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Transform the software development landscape by defining a cohesive end-to-end experience, integrating planning to verification workflows across teams. Lead product strategy and execution, influencing...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate software development by integrating AI-powered coding practices into enterprise solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance productivity, code quality, and testing through innovative AI tools...

Nova Scotia, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $220K *

Lead the charge in enhancing security tooling for compliance and cybersecurity. Collaborate with engineering teams to automate security checks, ensuring a robust pipeline that balances speed and secur...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Empower your career by developing scalable data solutions using functional Scala. Join a dynamic team focused on innovative cloud-based applications, collaborating to create high-quality products that...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$123K - $166K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing cloud platform reliability and security. As a Platform Engineer, you'll leverage your expertise in Kubernetes and CI/CD to build and maintain robust infrastru...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$172K - $210K *

Drive innovation in autonomous driving by enhancing ML metrics and evaluation systems. Collaborate with a diverse team to optimize performance and ensure reliability across cutting-edge mobility servi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$250K - $400K *

Champion innovative research in clinical AI, driving the development of executable clinical logic modules and experiments to enhance decision-making in healthcare. Collaborate with founders and clinic...

Montreal, QCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.