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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$160K - $200K *

Champion innovation as a Senior Software Engineer, driving full-stack solutions and leveraging AI tools to enhance IT lifecycle management. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver impactful softwar...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $150K *

Champion innovation by enhancing our cloud infrastructure and automating operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive AI-powered solutions and ensure software reliability in a dynamic...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $225K *

Optimize system performance by building scalable, robust services. Collaborate across teams to design public APIs, ensuring high-quality integration for retailers. Mentor others and evolve solutions t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$155K - $190K *

Transform the future of software development by building scalable, AI-augmented solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance stability, engage in code reviews, and stay ahead of emerging tech...

Toronto, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$96K - $154K *

Develop and maintain quality software for internal stakeholders, focusing on Python and AWS. Collaborate in an Agile environment, define architecture, and mentor junior developers while enhancing lega...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Champion the development of automated testing frameworks using JavaScript or TypeScript, ensuring quality and reliability in web applications and APIs while collaborating with cross-functional teams t...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Drive quality assurance as a Senior QA Automation Engineer, enhancing our distributed database platform through designing automated tests, validating features, and improving release processes while wo...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$131K - $222K *

Shape the future of logistics by developing intelligent planning platforms that optimize freight movement. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable solutions that enhance supply chai...

Eden Prairie, MNRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$113K - $254K *

Drive innovation by developing scalable Python services and AI-driven solutions. Collaborate with data science teams to enhance pricing automation and improve operational efficiency in a fully remote...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$136K - $160K *

Champion innovative software solutions by designing and building scalable integrations for automotive partnerships, collaborating across teams to enhance customer experiences and drive technical excel...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $157K *

Join our dynamic team to design and enhance a web portal application, improving user experience and functionality. Collaborate with engineers and product managers to deliver impactful solutions that s...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Engage with engineers to enhance developer workflows and tools. Own the product lifecycle from discovery to adoption, ensuring high-quality internal software that meets user needs and drives efficienc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$134K - $199K *

Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI agents and workflows that enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into scalabl...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $195K *

Join a dynamic AI Automation team to design and deliver production-grade AI agents and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency across the organization while solving complex business challenges wit...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $120K *

Optimize your career by leading software testing initiatives, developing test plans, and ensuring high-quality deliverables in a dynamic, remote environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to...

Texas, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead a high-performance engineering team, driving strategy and innovation for Corporate Payments services while aligning technology with business goals. Foster collaboration and continuous improvement...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $187K *

Lead the development of innovative software solutions using Python and AWS. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable applications that leverage AI/ML technologies, ensuring high perf...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock the potential of next-gen AI systems by defining serviceability tools architecture. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create actionable requirements and enhance documentation for compl...

Morrisville, NCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$145K - $218K *

Engage with strategic customers to deploy and enhance SRE Agent capabilities, driving adoption and value through hands-on integration and development of AI-assisted incident management solutions...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Shape the future of engineering productivity by architecting tools and patterns that eliminate friction in development workflows, enhance performance, and mentor teams to elevate their technical skill...

Orlando, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Engage in innovative software development, collaborating with Agile teams to design, implement, and support solutions for population simulation. Drive project timelines and enhance application process...

Alexandria, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Engage in innovative software solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, balancing technical priorities while mentoring a distributed team. Collaborate on designing, testing, and delivering quality prod...

Nashville, TNRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in transforming patient engagement by integrating booking into our core product. Drive innovative experiments and optimize multi-channel outreach to ensure underserved communities rece...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $135K *

Lead the charge in managing and enhancing AWS solutions for clients, ensuring operational stability and service quality while mentoring a team of developers in a fast-paced environment focused on cont...

Austin, TXRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $240K *

Elevate your career by designing and building robust distributed systems. Lead architectural decisions, ensure reliability, and mentor engineers while tackling complex challenges in regulated environm...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 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.