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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$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

$113K - $160K *

Help us shape the future of AWS by developing innovative testing solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure software quality and enhance customer experiences through automated and ma...

4 days ago

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

$168K - $227K *

Lead innovative software solutions by designing AI primitives and user services. Collaborate in a dynamic team to deliver high-quality products from concept to rollout, enhancing customer experience a...

1 week ago

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

$141K - $211K *

Unlock potential by driving subsystem-level validation for cutting-edge AI frameworks. Collaborate with engineers to define test strategies, develop automated tests, and ensure quality from inception...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$143K - $194K *

Engineer secure, scalable software solutions that enhance customer trust. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and maintain high-quality services, while mentoring junior engineers...

3 days ago

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

$184K - $250K *

Lead a dynamic team of firmware engineers, driving innovation and excellence in embedded systems development for cutting-edge delivery drones. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure project success...

3 days ago

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

$133K - $212K *

Optimize the performance and reliability of a live-service platform by designing scalable solutions in C#/.Net and Kubernetes, enhancing observability, and improving developer experience for internal...

1 week ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Drive the development of cutting-edge in-memory database solutions, fostering innovation in distributed systems. Collaborate within a diverse engineering team to optimize performance and scalability f...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Drive innovation by optimizing inference performance for large language models. Collaborate across teams to enhance system efficiency, reduce latency, and improve throughput, directly impacting custom...

6 days ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Innovate and enhance satellite ground infrastructure by developing robust software solutions for antenna systems validation, focusing on automation, data processing, and cross-disciplinary collaborati...

4 days ago

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

$168K - $227K *

Transform your career by leading the architecture of critical data systems, driving multi-team initiatives, and mentoring engineers to enhance performance and reliability in a dynamic environment...

2 weeks ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Transform complex business challenges into scalable technical solutions by designing and launching multi-tier systems. Collaborate in a fast-paced environment to create elegant, extensible code that s...

Yesterday

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

$171K - $286K *

Lead and develop a team of engineers to enhance a large-scale distributed system. Drive operational excellence, collaborate across teams, and ensure high availability and security while delivering inn...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

1 week ago

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

$199K - $278K *

Transform the ML landscape by designing and evolving scalable platforms that empower teams to efficiently build, deploy, and manage machine learning models, ensuring reliability and operational excell...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$184K - $258K *

Unlock potential by designing and evolving scalable machine learning platforms. Collaborate with engineers to enhance reliability and performance while enabling teams to deploy models efficiently acro...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$156K - $262K *

Join a dynamic team to design and optimize scalable data pipelines and infrastructure, enabling analytics and AI-driven capabilities. Collaborate across functions to deliver high-quality data solution...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$151K - $204K *

Unlock your potential by developing intuitive systems that streamline lab operations, enhance scheduling, and improve equipment management. Collaborate with engineers to create tools that drive effici...

2 weeks ago

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

$130K - $155K *

Elevate software engineering solutions by architecting and integrating advanced testing platforms across diverse semiconductor environments, ensuring high-quality, reliable execution and fostering tec...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$117K - $160K *

Lead the optimization of propulsion subsystem testing by enhancing hardware and software capabilities, training operators, and resolving non-conformances to ensure production efficiency and quality in...

2 weeks ago

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

$90K - $118K *

Optimize automated testing frameworks and AI-driven tools to enhance software reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality across the Risk Cloud platform, driving efficiency...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$156K - $210K *

Take ownership of full-stack projects, driving development from scoping to delivery. Collaborate across teams to create high-quality applications using Python and React, while leveraging AI tools to e...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$129K - $174K *

Transform software development by leading teams, driving innovation, and managing complex systems. Collaborate across departments to enhance operational excellence and mentor engineers while staying a...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$143K - $194K *

Unlock potential by driving innovative software solutions for big data challenges. Collaborate with scientists to enhance product selection and data quality, while taking ownership of design, developm...

2 days ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Unlock potential by delivering high-quality software solutions that transform employee feedback into actionable insights, driving operational excellence and innovation in a dynamic, collaborative envi...

Today

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

$153K - $196K *

Advance the test automation landscape by designing and scaling innovative tools and frameworks that enhance reliability and efficiency across diverse platforms, driving quality earlier in the developm...

3 weeks 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.