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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$110K - $130K *

Unlock your potential by leading data initiatives and shaping insights through collaboration with stakeholders. Drive innovative BI solutions, ensuring clarity and reliability in analysis, while guidi...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $193K *

Accelerate progress at the intersection of security and technology by leading integration product management for enterprise security capabilities across multiple business units, ensuring streamlined a...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Accelerate your career by designing and optimizing secure, scalable cloud infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and ensure high availability for glo...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$175K - $185K *

Lead high-performing software engineering teams to modernize customer-facing applications, enhance operational efficiency, and drive AI-enabled practices, ensuring alignment with business objectives a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$50K - $130K *

Develop innovative software solutions that enhance user experiences while collaborating with a diverse team. Engage in all phases of the software lifecycle, from design to deployment, ensuring high-qu...

Georgia, USRemote

3 days ago

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

$124K - $241K *

Join a visionary team to architect cloud networking solutions, drive innovation in DPU and NIC technologies, and collaborate with global experts to redefine data center architecture from hardware to a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by designing and managing secure cloud solutions on AWS, ensuring best practices in security. Collaborate with teams to integrate security into CI/CD pipelines and respond to vulnerab...

Washington, DCRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$160K - $193K *

Lead the charge in HiL testing for autonomous trucks, guiding a team to ensure robust verification and validation. Shape the test strategy, align with safety standards, and collaborate across teams to...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $160K *

Partner with us to shape the quality strategy for a leading exam development platform. Leverage your expertise to guide multiple Agile teams, enhance automation practices, and ensure high standards ac...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$120K - $150K *

Empower the development of key backend services and APIs, enhancing KeeperApp functionality. Leverage your expertise in Java and SQL to optimize performance while collaborating on innovative cybersecu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $180K *

Elevate customer experiences by designing and optimizing AI agent journeys. Collaborate across teams to enhance service processes, ensuring accurate, secure, and autonomous problem resolution while dr...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$153K - $213K *

Drive efficiency by automating internal processes, enhancing productivity across teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, implement AI solutions, and ensure measurable impact on w...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing application services in cloud environments. You'll install and upgrade applications while collaborating with experts to ensure optimal performance and support...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in solving critical engineering challenges, driving technical direction, and fostering team growth. Collaborate across departments to enhance systems, ensuring reliability and innovati...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $300K *

Seeking a senior product software engineer to drive user-facing features in AI software development, enhancing tools like AI Agent, App Builder, and SDK for seamless app creation and deployment...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the design and development of our enterprise data platform, driving initiatives for data ingestion, storage, and transformation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data governance...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$157K - $236K *

Join a dynamic engineering team to enhance Unity platform support for Android devices, ensuring optimal performance and seamless user experiences. Collaborate on architecture, performance initiatives...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $119K *

Lead the charge in transforming public sector operations by deploying IoT solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure customer success and drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability across g...

Georgia, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance application security across web apps, APIs, and cloud services. Collaborate with development squads to prioritize vulnerabilities and implement proactive remediation str...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Transform application security practices by enhancing web, API, and cloud service protections. Collaborate with development teams to remediate vulnerabilities and integrate security into CI/CD workflo...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $110K *

Empower your career by bridging technical solutions and customer needs in the drive-thru technology space. Collaborate with Sales and Product teams to design and deliver innovative solutions that enha...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Transform identity and access management by executing daily operations, supporting AI tooling, and managing SaaS vendor administration. This role offers hands-on experience and a clear growth path tow...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$66K - $138K *

Join a dynamic team to lead enterprise software implementations, guiding clients from discovery to deployment. Leverage your consulting expertise and technical skills to drive project success and enha...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$121K - $208K *

Transform operational efficiencies by designing and deploying high-performance integration solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance user experiences and ensure data integrity across multi-t...

New York, NYRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Unlock your potential as a senior engineer managing Active Directory services, ensuring security, availability, and recovery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support identity modernization...

Chicago, ILRemote

4 days 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.