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.
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.
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.
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.
Staff Software Engineer - AI/Agent Engineer, Care Automation
$151K - $309K *
Innovate AI-driven automations for customer care, enhancing workflows and agent efficiency. Collaborate across teams to transform service operations, leveraging intelligent systems for improved custom...
Reposted today
$90K - $115K *
Elevate team performance and delivery by leading a technical group, setting clear expectations, providing mentorship, and managing project needs while ensuring quality and employee development in a dy...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of mobile technology by developing innovative React Native applications for diverse gaming products, ensuring high-quality user experiences across multiple platfor...
2 days ago
Software Engineer, Platform Access (L2)
$116K - $171K *
Optimize multi-cloud access control and security tools. Collaborate with teams to design and implement automated solutions, ensuring secure developer workflows across AWS, Azure, and GCP while enhanci...
3 weeks ago
Senior Cyber Security Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Transform cybersecurity practices by leading vulnerability management and penetration testing efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security controls, reduce risks, and ensure ro...
Yesterday
Software Engineer II, Backend (Decisions Orchestration)
$133K - $183K *
Transform the user experience by designing and implementing innovative backend solutions for a cutting-edge checkout platform, enhancing accessibility and flexibility for financial products in a colla...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer II, Backend (Decisions Orchestration)
$146K - $206K *
Transform the user experience by designing and implementing innovative financial products. Collaborate in a dynamic team to enhance the checkout platform, ensuring reliability and performance for seam...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Frontend (Decisions Orchestration)
$181K - $241K *
Elevate the checkout experience by leading frontend engineering initiatives. Drive technical strategy, collaborate across teams, and foster a culture of quality while ensuring operational excellence a...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion a transformational Agile culture by guiding teams through complex delivery challenges, fostering improvements in velocity, and facilitating best practices. Drive governance and integrated pla...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of passenger rail by leading mechanical systems integration and validation. Collaborate with suppliers and clients to ensure compliance and deliver manufacturable designs for refurbis...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that transforms B2B commerce in hospitality, crafting impactful software solutions. Leverage your expertise in backend technologies to drive product development, optimize systems, and deli...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer (Remote LATAM)
$100K - $120K *
Engage in the full product development lifecycle, collaborating cross-functionally to design and deliver high-quality web applications that meet client needs and enhance user experience...
Yesterday
Testing & Engineering Business Development Manager- Outside Sales Director- REMOTE
$110K - $130K *
Transform business development by leveraging technical expertise to build customer relationships, identify opportunities, and deliver tailored solutions. Join a dynamic team focused on driving sales g...
Yesterday
Senior Connector Development Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of interconnect technology by designing innovative connector solutions. Leverage your engineering expertise to collaborate globally and meet the demands of leadin...
3 days ago
Forward Deployed Engineer I (Remote, US)
$160K - $180K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering seamless technical solutions for clients. You'll scope, implement, and maintain risk screening and data integration workflows, ensuring optimal performance a...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Marketing & Privacy Engineering)
$153K - $213K *
Elevate your career by building robust data systems that enhance marketing effectiveness. Collaborate across teams to create reliable measurement architectures that drive consumer growth and ensure da...
2 weeks ago
Remote Developer Lead / Integration Developer (VA ESOM)
$155K - $175K *
Unlock your potential as a technical leader, driving ServiceNow development and integration efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions, ensuring alignment with busi...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in coordinating a dynamic technical team, ensuring seamless delivery across multiple workstreams while aligning development efforts with strategic program goals. Drive efficiency and f...
2 days ago
Senior Collections Strategy Analyst
$100K - $120K *
Transform the recovery landscape by driving analytics and strategy for collections operations, creating impactful frameworks, enhancing performance metrics, and fostering cross-functional collaboratio...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Manager - CX Microsoft Engineering
$150K - $225K *
Lead the charge in mentoring a high-performing software development team, driving technical vision and process improvements while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering collaborati...
1 week ago
$180K - $220K *
Deliver innovative data pipelines for legal records, transforming unstructured data into actionable insights while supporting advanced AI workflows and data quality improvements for robust legal resea...
1 month ago
Staff Software Engineer, Security Factory: Static Analysis
$152K - $259K *
Transform security analysis by leading the development of a static analysis engine. Shape technical direction, mentor engineers, and drive initiatives that enhance code security and performance across...
2 weeks ago
Director, Business Development
$150K - $180K *
Transform your career by driving new business growth in enterprise accounts. Leverage your expertise in IT sales to identify key opportunities, build trusted relationships, and deliver strategic solut...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - Agentic AI Applications
$168K - $240K *
Join us to define and deploy autonomous AI agents at scale, transforming cutting-edge LLM capabilities into reliable, high-availability products while mentoring a team of engineers and setting industr...
2 weeks ago
$97K - $109K *
Join a team that's redefining customer engagement by providing technical expertise and tailored solutions during the pre-sales process. Collaborate with sales and services to ensure seamless transitio...
2 weeks ago
What does a Lead Java Software Engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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.