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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$82K - $147K *

Engineer automated testing frameworks and strategies to enhance deployment quality. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues, develop test plans, and ensure robust performance across environments...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$99K - $160K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing system reliability and efficiency. You'll design, automate, and troubleshoot systems, ensuring operational excellence while collaborating with peers to improv...

2 weeks ago

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

$89K - $134K *

Elevate software testing by designing, implementing, and maintaining automated systems. Mentor junior engineers while adhering to operational principles and fostering a collaborative team environment...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading software development for critical space applications. Collaborate with teams to enhance existing systems and create innovative solutions, ensuring seamless integration acro...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $194K *

Unlock potential by owning end-to-end software solutions that enhance seller experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and maintain systems that simplify product listings...

2 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Champion software quality by developing test strategies and automation in Python. Collaborate with teams to enhance product features, ensuring high standards through innovative testing practices and m...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$168K - $227K *

Lead the charge in designing and building AI-powered search and ranking systems. Own architecture and strategy for IMDb's discovery platform, driving innovation in large-scale distributed systems and...

Yesterday

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

$145K - $175K *

Transform network automation by designing and operating systems that streamline Lambda's network lifecycle, enhancing efficiency and reliability across data center operations and deployment processes...

1 week ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Transform secure cloud infrastructure by designing and operating EC2 control-plane services in air-gapped regions. Collaborate with a dedicated team to enhance automation and ensure high-quality softw...

6 days ago

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

$168K - $227K *

Join a dynamic team to architect and deliver innovative software tools for integration testing in complex hardware and software systems, enhancing verification processes for space and terrestrial appl...

1 week ago

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

$130K - $155K *

Transform the quality landscape of core kernel technologies by defining test strategies, developing automation, and delivering reliable quality signals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enha...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$99K - $160K *

Innovate the future of data center controls by designing and deploying cutting-edge software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance electrical systems, ensuring reliability and...

Yesterday

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

$143K - $194K *

Join a team that's redefining customer experiences through innovative AI solutions. You'll design and implement core software, ensuring reliability and performance while collaborating in a fast-paced...

Today

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

$165K - $223K *

Drive innovation by designing and developing AI-driven software solutions that enhance user experiences across multiple devices, ensuring reliability, safety, and performance in a fast-paced environme...

Yesterday

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

$200K - $270K *

Drive the technical direction for security in a high-scale, customer-facing API environment. Lead architecture for access decisions, ensuring clarity and performance while collaborating across teams t...

2 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Elevate quality assurance for AI agents by combining automation with hands-on testing. Collaborate with engineers to define success metrics and build robust evaluation systems that ensure reliability...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $175K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance AI agent quality through deep test automation and hands-on exploratory testing. Collaborate with engineers to define success metrics and build robust evaluation systems...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Help us define and lead quality architecture for AI-driven digital experiences, focusing on test automation strategies and frameworks. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver innovative eCommerce fe...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$143K - $194K *

Join a team that's redefining cloud storage by building scalable, fault-tolerant systems for reading customer data. Collaborate with experts to enhance S3's performance and reliability, impacting mill...

1 week ago

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

$155K - $165K *

Lead the charge in advancing test automation and quality engineering across enterprise applications. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance software delivery, mentor engineers, and ensure quality...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$168K - $227K *

Empower the evolution of secure cloud infrastructure by leading the architecture and technical direction for EC2 control-plane services in air-gapped regions, driving innovation and reliability in gov...

6 days ago

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

$90K - $120K *

Unlock potential by driving quality assurance through automated testing for APIs, web apps, and data pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust software delivery and maintain...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$143K - $194K *

Lead the charge in enhancing AI-driven software solutions, optimizing performance, and expanding integrations. Own features end-to-end, ensuring reliability and scalability while mentoring peers and i...

3 days ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Drive innovation by designing and operating EC2 control-plane services in secure, air-gapped environments. Collaborate with engineers to enhance cloud infrastructure for government clients, ensuring r...

6 days ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Drive innovation by automating AWS deployment processes, collaborating with teams to enhance system architecture, and solving complex engineering challenges that impact global customers and revenue...

6 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.