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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$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

CanadaRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$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...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

CanadaRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Montreal, QCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$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...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$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...

Mexico, MORemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Chantilly, VARemote

2 days ago

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

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$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...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Seattle, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information 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.