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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1
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$115K - $120K *

Innovate solutions for time capture and billing in a dynamic team. Leverage AI tools to enhance software development, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in invoicing processes while collaborating across...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $140K *

Lead the charge in operational excellence across multiple schools, enhancing leadership effectiveness and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with teams to drive enrollment growth and academic improvemen...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

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

$125K - $150K *

Lead and develop engineering teams focused on clinical data integration and insights. Drive the direction of data pipelines and ensure impactful, equitable health outcomes through effective collaborat...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Elevate full-stack engineering excellence by delivering scalable, reliable solutions across initiatives, guiding teams, and enhancing processes to drive performance and innovation in a collaborative e...

Wisconsin, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic Reliability team as a Senior Database Engineer, enhancing database performance and reliability. Collaborate across engineering to optimize distributed databases, ensuring high availabil...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $193K *

Lead a team to develop metrics and analysis tools that enhance decision-making for autonomous driving software. Engage in hands-on data analysis, manage workflows, and drive insights to improve system...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$265K - $290K *

Shape the future of software development by leading an innovative AI-native platform that revolutionizes code generation and review, enabling engineers to build efficiently and collaboratively in a hi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$80K - $120K *

Innovate cloud solutions by designing, deploying, and managing AWS infrastructures. Collaborate with teams to ensure optimal performance, security, and compliance while supporting a high-performance e...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of cloud technology by designing, deploying, and managing AWS infrastructures. Join a high-performance team dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and ensuri...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$138K - $173K *

Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality software delivery. Lead and mentor a team of engineers while optimizing processes and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous impro...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$87K - $157K *

Unlock your potential as a mid-level Software Engineer, driving innovation in AI-enabled platforms. Collaborate with a diverse team to build intelligent agents and backend services, enhancing automati...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$210K - $273K *

Shape the future of security by defining product vision and strategy for AI-powered capabilities, enhancing risk visibility, and driving adoption across engineering teams to ensure secure development...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$106K - $150K *

Unlock potential by providing expert operational support for Windows environments. Manage complex incidents, ensure service availability, and collaborate across teams to enhance customer experiences i...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Lead cross-functional efforts to drive execution in a fast-paced remote environment, overseeing key product initiatives and customer issues in our Privileged Access Management portfolio, while ensurin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $202K *

Innovate and build AI-native products that automate complex workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy full-stack applications, ensuring reliability and performa...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$70K - $105K *

Optimize software quality by collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless digital experiences. Leverage automation and modern testing practices to enhance web and mobile applications f...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$90K - $110K *

Join our Mobile Quality Engineering team to ensure the quality and reliability of iOS applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate features, troubleshoot issues, and enhance user...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$101K - $152K *

Lead the development and execution of validation projects, ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory standards while managing multiple initiatives to enhance efficiency and quality in a fast-pa...

Illinois, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team of Solution Consultants, delivering expert guidance on Atlassian products to help clients maximize their investments and achieve strategic outcomes in the Pu...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$224K - $431K *

Innovate cutting-edge software for data center power management, spanning architecture, firmware, and AI workloads. Drive product lifecycle from design to deployment, enhancing performance and energy...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of Risk and Security by leveraging your expertise to co-create innovative solutions with partners, driving adoption and commercial success through strategic engagement and technical l...

Austin, TXRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$118K - $183K *

Join a team that's driving partner growth through strategic engagement, AI adoption, and solution development. Collaborate across diverse partner types to enhance business outcomes and ensure scalable...

Vienna, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $200K *

Partner with us to drive growth in the SLED market by owning the technical sales cycle, collaborating with teams, and shaping enterprise solutions. Your expertise will influence strategy and build sca...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $200K *

Drive the expansion into the SLED market by owning the technical sales cycle, collaborating with teams to influence strategy, and building scalable processes that enhance public sector engagement and...

Texas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on enhancing ingress proxy services. You'll drive security and performance improvements, owning features from design to production while collabora...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 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.