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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$122K - $174K *

Unlock your potential as you drive the deployment of cutting-edge networking solutions, ensuring exceptional service delivery and customer satisfaction through expert collaboration and proactive issue...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in managing and optimizing cloud infrastructure across multiple platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance product reliability and streamline operations while ensuring security and c...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in optimizing IT configuration management practices to enhance service lifecycle support, ensuring accuracy of configuration items and improving operational efficiency across enterpris...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $163K *

Transform database environments by leading architecture and administration efforts across multiple platforms, ensuring compliance and performance for mission-critical applications in a dynamic, remote...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $225K *

Unlock your potential by designing and operating robust Kubernetes infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-performance, reliable systems that support enterprise-scale AI...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive impactful solutions as a Forward Deployed Engineer, collaborating with clients to tackle complex challenges. Design and deploy AI-enabled applications, ensuring reliability and performance in re...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $220K *

Unlock potential by leading software systems management and optimization across a global portfolio. Collaborate with business and technology leaders to enhance operational efficiency, drive innovation...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by developing security documentation and consulting on architecture. Collaborate with teams to identify vulnerabilities, perform penetration testing, and implement security improvemen...

Plano, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's dedicated to safeguarding sensitive health information while enhancing security across cloud and application environments. As a Senior Security Engineer, you'll design and implement...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovative web solutions by designing, developing, and maintaining secure applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experience and integrate APIs, ensuring alignment...

Maryland, USRemote

4 days ago

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

$135K - $203K *

Join a team that's redefining Unity platform support for Android ecosystems. Collaborate on optimizing performance across devices, enabling seamless deployment for developers while enhancing user expe...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$134K - $201K *

Empower a dynamic team to enhance tooling reliability and support for customer operations. Lead technical specialists in delivering seamless solutions, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring oper...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$71K - $90K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing patient lives by leading complex validation projects. As a technical expert, you'll drive high-quality outcomes, mentor peers, and collaborate across function...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$121K - $149K *

Elevate your career by developing and implementing AI initiatives, collaborating with teams to build and enhance AI capabilities from concept to deployment, ensuring successful integration and operati...

Washington, DCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Drive your career forward as a Senior Business Analyst, collaborating with cross-functional teams to consolidate payment gateways and enhance the US Payments landscape through innovative solutions and...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$155K - $170K *

Partner with us to design and build high-performance data solutions, translating complex logic into scalable models and pipelines. Collaborate across teams to improve data quality and adopt innovative...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $120K *

Transform your career by developing cutting-edge cloud storage solutions. Collaborate within an Agile team to design, deliver, and maintain features that enhance medical imaging services, ensuring hig...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$109K - $145K *

Contribute to the development of a cloud storage solution, designing and delivering features for a medical imaging platform. Collaborate within an Agile team, taking ownership of the development lifec...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Empower cross-functional teams to consolidate payment gateways, leveraging deep USA Payments expertise. Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze requirements, drive migrations, and ensure seamless int...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Shape the future of customer deployments by collaborating with technical teams to solve complex infrastructure challenges, drive product improvements, and ensure operational success in large-scale env...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Empower innovation as you design complex electrical systems, lead projects, mentor teams, and ensure high-quality deliverables. Collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams, utilizing advanced BI...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$75K - $95K *

Join a dynamic team as you support sales operations by delivering precise price quotations and coordinating solutions. Collaborate across functions to drive business success and enhance customer relat...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to design and automate CI/CD infrastructure for medical device software, ensuring compliance and enhancing software delivery processes in a regulated environment...

Waltham, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $100K *

Deliver full-stack development for a federal healthcare application, collaborating with Agile teams to enhance file management capabilities, ensuring secure and efficient file transfers while maintain...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$117K - $234K *

Elevate the developer experience by partnering with external teams to integrate seamlessly with the API ecosystem. Provide technical guidance, troubleshoot issues, and enhance tools while collaboratin...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

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.