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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$145K - $175K *

Elevate your career by leading IT systems integration for a Navy Shore Datacenter. Collaborate with mission owners and engineering teams to streamline onboarding and ensure seamless transitions while...

Virginia, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$75K - $158K *

Accelerate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on transforming logistics and finance through SAP S/4HANA. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure quality and reliability in...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Transform order management processes by leading cross-functional teams in large-scale commerce projects. Drive system design and integration across regions, ensuring seamless order lifecycle and fulfi...

Georgia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Manager in Deployed Engineering, leading hands-on deployments and building a high-performing team. Collaborate closely with customers and internal teams to dri...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$109K - $156K *

Champion reliability by leading SRE projects from inception to production. Collaborate with teams to enhance infrastructure across hybrid environments, driving architectural excellence and operational...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$195K - $325K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI in healthcare by leading multi-year strategies, resolving complex technical challenges, and influencing executive decisions across the organization to ensur...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$108K - $130K *

Empower enterprise infrastructures by designing automated workflows for secure, scalable network management. Utilize advanced scripting and automation to optimize systems while leveraging your experti...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $185K *

Drive technical excellence by developing standards and processes for commissioning, ensuring consistent execution across projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workforce capabili...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $155K *

Lead the charge in creating cutting-edge embedded software solutions for autonomous mobile robotics. Drive technical excellence, oversee collaborative engineering efforts, and ensure high reliability...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$100K - $153K *

Join our Strategic Customer Success team to guide enterprise clients in deploying IoT solutions, enhancing business value. You'll manage relationships, ensuring a successful launch and continuous enga...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading our Site Reliability Engineering team, ensuring the reliability and performance of our cloud-native platform. Drive technical excellence, cultivate a high-performance cultu...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $140K *

Help us drive strategic growth initiatives and shape long-term business development strategies. Collaborate with senior leadership, mentor junior staff, and oversee complex proposals to foster organiz...

Fairfield, NJRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Elevate data engineering capabilities by designing robust ETL/ELT workflows, ensuring data quality, and implementing scalable solutions on AWS and Kubernetes. Collaborate with teams to optimize perfor...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Optimize onboarding excellence by designing impactful programs that accelerate new sales hires' productivity and ramp times in a high-growth tech environment. Collaborate across teams to ensure practi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$146K - $269K *

Shape the future of enterprise software by leading multiple engineering teams, driving application development, and implementing best practices. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance quality and s...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of Linux development by enhancing a Debian-based distribution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable platform capabilities for mission-criti...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Lead the development and operation of next-gen GraphQL infrastructure, ensuring performance, security, and reliability while mentoring teams and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver outstanding...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in shaping a new Technical Program Management team, guiding TPMs to deliver impactful results while fostering collaboration across Engineering and Product. Drive strategic planning and...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $175K *

Lead innovative cloud solutions by architecting and managing robust platforms. Collaborate with a dynamic team to tackle complex challenges in AWS and Azure, enhancing your skills while driving impact...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $102K *

Partner with us to enhance online education by designing engaging courses, collaborating with faculty, and ensuring accessibility. Drive continuous improvement in teaching and learning within a dynami...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

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

$105K - $125K *

Pioneer the development of robust software solutions in eDiary and clinical data platforms, leveraging modern technologies to enhance patient engagement and ensure regulatory compliance while collabor...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$230K - $290K *

Pioneer the future of checkout experiences by leading frontend engineering initiatives. Collaborate across teams to set technical strategies, enhance operational processes, and foster a culture of qua...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $120K *

Lead a dynamic engineering team in developing high-quality remote software solutions. Collaborate with product managers and designers to ensure scalable applications while embracing best practices and...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$144K - $288K *

Lead the charge in architecting and delivering scalable AI solutions in a regulated healthcare environment, collaborating across teams to drive innovation and ensure responsible AI practices while opt...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$78K - $145K *

Unlock potential by ensuring quality through meticulous testing and validation of web-based applications and APIs, collaborating within Agile teams to drive exceptional user experience and facilitate...

Brookfield, WIRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

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.