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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$111K - $180K *

Unlock potential by designing AI-powered solutions for complex reporting challenges. Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams to deliver innovative outcomes in regulated environments whil...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$100K - $120K *

Innovate with a dynamic team of engineers to shape architecture and drive product expansion as you build reliable software solutions for healthcare, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $120K *

Elevate customer success by implementing privacy-first healthcare marketing solutions. As an Implementation Engineer, you'll guide clients through technical setups, ensuring optimal performance and co...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$105K - $234K *

Lead the design and delivery of complex platform capabilities, enhancing reliability and security while mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to drive technical excellence and implement AI-ass...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$186K - $223K *

Join us to design, build, and maintain critical telemetry systems, ensuring reliability and performance while collaborating with a diverse team in a remote-first environment. Drive projects from ideat...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$174K - $209K *

Empower our team by driving innovative projects from concept to operation, enhancing the reliability and performance of our observability systems while collaborating in a fully remote environment focu...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$320K - $405K *

Transform the future of data center engineering by resolving on-site technical issues, collaborating with contractors, and ensuring project success through effective problem-solving and communication...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $240K *

Lead the charge in engineering excellence by mentoring talent, driving scalable solutions, and fostering collaboration across teams. Partner with stakeholders to align technical direction and deliver...

Georgia, USRemote

1 week ago

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

$95K - $115K *

Join our team to engineer high-quality automated test solutions, ensuring the reliability and performance of enterprise applications. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver robust frameworks and le...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $190K *

Lead a team of engineers to develop and maintain software solutions that enhance warehouse operations, focusing on task optimization and system integration while fostering collaboration and mentoring...

Georgia, USRemote

Yesterday

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

$143K - $286K *

Transform the software landscape by leading scalable platform development, mentoring teams, and driving innovation in cloud-native architectures and AI/ML integration to enhance engineering productivi...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

4 weeks ago

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

$143K - $286K *

Join a team that drives innovative software solutions by overseeing the full development lifecycle, from coding to deployment, and integrating advanced AI/ML components for scalable cloud-native archi...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$140K - $180K *

Innovate with us as you lead technical delivery for enterprise data integration and migration projects, focusing on Higher Education and Salesforce ecosystems. Drive solution architecture, manage team...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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

3 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

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.