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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$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in enhancing software quality by designing and executing automation tests. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust performance and scalability of our digital platform...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $194K *

Pioneer innovative AI solutions by designing privacy-preserving systems and consumer trust features. Collaborate with engineers to tackle complex challenges, ensuring performance and privacy while enh...

Yesterday

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

$144K - $201K *

Join a dynamic team to shape a cutting-edge API platform, driving clinical intelligence and enhancing developer experience. Collaborate on design, scalability, and security while navigating high ambig...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$168K - $227K *

Contribute to building a cutting-edge security platform that automates incident response and threat analysis. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design scalable systems, ensuring operational reliabili...

1 week ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Transform the cloud landscape by designing and developing scalable systems for Elastic Load Balancing, ensuring high availability and performance for millions of global users while collaborating with...

1 week ago

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

$109K - $137K *

Drive innovation by optimizing DRAM and NAND test methodologies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and quality while ensuring reliable testing processes and data...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $194K *

Join our team to optimize planning and simulation methods for satellite capacity, ensuring reliable internet connectivity. Collaborate across engineering teams to enhance system architecture and deliv...

2 weeks ago

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

$99K - $160K *

Unlock innovative cloud solutions by designing and operating complex systems for U.S. Government agencies. Collaborate with top-tier clients to enhance compliance and customer experience while tacklin...

2 weeks ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Innovate secure software solutions in a dynamic environment, tackling challenges in cryptography and distributed systems. Collaborate with experts to enhance AWS services and deliver customer-centric...

1 week ago

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

$99K - $160K *

Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team that drives software solutions, automates operational processes, and enhances customer fulfillment through innovative engineering and support services...

2 weeks ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team to develop AI-driven reporting tools that enhance vulnerability management insights for senior leadership, combining full-stack engineering with data analyti...

1 week ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Lead large-scale distributed test events, ensuring interoperability and system validation. Collaborate with a dynamic team to execute test plans, troubleshoot issues, and maintain compliance in a fast...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of data platforms by building and operating high-scale distributed systems. Collaborate with engineers to enhance analytics capabilities and empower organizations...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$129K - $174K *

Drive the design and implementation of test automation frameworks for satellite networks, ensuring robust validation across hardware and software layers while enhancing operational excellence in a hig...

1 week ago

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

$253K - $342K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI agents in the cloud. Lead engineering efforts for a cutting-edge managed service, driving technical strategy and growth while ensuring reliability and secur...

Today

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

$143K - $194K *

Optimize and enhance cutting-edge AI services, tackling complex engineering challenges to deliver scalable, efficient solutions. Collaborate with teams to mentor engineers and drive impactful software...

2 days ago

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

$129K - $174K *

Empower innovation by developing scalable solutions for network device management. Collaborate with global teams to enhance frameworks that streamline operations across fulfillment centers, ensuring e...

3 days ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's building cutting-edge GenAI systems from the ground up. Engage in the full development lifecycle, collaborating with engineers and product owners to create reliable, production-grad...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion quality assurance by designing and implementing automated tests, ensuring performance and reliability in a fast-growing tech environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to uphold hig...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining quality assurance in a high-growth tech environment. Collaborate with engineering and product teams to build robust automated testing frameworks, ensuring performance and...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Empower innovation by joining a dynamic team as a QA Engineer, where you'll enhance platform quality through automation, collaboration, and performance testing, ensuring reliability and trust for our...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Empower quality assurance by designing automated tests and ensuring platform reliability. Collaborate with engineering and product teams to enhance performance and safeguard customer trust in a rapidl...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$143K - $194K *

Engineer innovative back-end systems and applications leveraging large language models. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance service architecture, optimize performance, and deliver excep...

3 days ago

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

$121K - $145K *

Champion innovative solutions by building custom software for partners, engaging stakeholders, and defining architectural roadmaps. Drive efficiency and customer success through collaborative developm...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$113K - $160K *

Take ownership of quality assurance processes, developing automated and manual testing solutions to enhance software quality and customer satisfaction across large-scale projects...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 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.