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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$144K - $192K *

Drive quality assurance in software development by automating tests and enhancing analytics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle complex challenges across platforms, ensuring robust prod...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$77K - $135K *

Engineer robust software quality by designing, executing, and maintaining test solutions. Collaborate with an Agile team to enhance automation processes, ensuring high-quality product delivery and cli...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$77K - $135K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality software through robust testing strategies. Collaborate with Agile teams to enhance testing processes, develop automation frameworks, and ensure...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$184K - $250K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions by managing a high-performing team, driving technical vision, and integrating AI tools to enhance productivity and customer experience...

4 days ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Drive the development of scalable AI-assisted tools for electrical design, ensuring seamless integration and high reliability. Collaborate with engineers to deliver robust software solutions that enha...

1 week ago

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

$76K - $128K *

Transform the quality assurance landscape by developing automated tests for mobile applications and collaborating across teams to ensure robust product performance in a dynamic Agile environment...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$84K - $115K *

Elevate software quality by developing test automation frameworks and collaborating across teams. You'll implement scalable solutions to enhance defect detection and drive product releases in a fast-p...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer scalable automation solutions by designing reusable frameworks and validating complex integrations. Collaborate on backend systems to enhance data integrity and performance, driving efficiency...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in shaping innovative Commerce solutions, guiding a high-performing engineering team to deliver exceptional customer experiences while driving technical excellence and strategic decisi...

Washington, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K *

Lead the design and development of automated test frameworks to enhance the quality and reliability of embedded software across multiple product lines. Collaborate with engineering teams to implement...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$143K - $194K *

Lead the charge in designing and building scalable systems for live streaming, ensuring high availability and security while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance customer experiences f...

1 week ago

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

$118K - $144K *

Drive quality assurance for complex software in a dynamic environment, ensuring reliability and usability across instruments, firmware, and cloud services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to d...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$166K - $225K *

Join a team that's innovating cloud analytics solutions for government clients. Lead engineers in delivering scalable systems while enhancing customer experiences in secure, air-gapped environments. D...

6 days ago

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

$169K - $304K *

Lead the development of test strategies for hypervisor performance and VM quality, mentoring teams and designing automated benchmarks to ensure system integrity and deployment safety across the IaaS p...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$176K - $264K *

Advance significant cloud integration initiatives by leading migrations of acquired services onto a unified, cloud-agnostic platform. Collaborate with engineering teams to analyze infrastructure needs...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$143K - $194K *

Unlock potential by building innovative software solutions across diverse engineering domains within AWS. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance systems that impact millions, while mentori...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$134K - $200K *

Shape the future of developer experience by designing and operating self-service systems that enhance productivity and reduce toil. Collaborate across teams to implement AI-driven SDLC models, ensurin...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$121K - $181K *

Innovate solutions that enhance the Developer Platform, streamlining tooling and automation for engineers. As a Software Engineer, you'll design self-service systems and implement AI-driven SDLC model...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$134K - $200K *

Drive innovation by designing self-service systems that enhance developer productivity and streamline AI-driven software development processes, ensuring quality and compliance across engineering teams...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$102K - $152K *

Join a team that's redefining developer experience by designing and operating self-service systems. You'll enhance automation and AI-driven SDLC practices, empowering engineers to innovate efficiently...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$146K - $218K *

Drive innovation in developer experience by designing self-service systems that enhance productivity and reduce toil. Collaborate across teams to implement AI-driven SDLC models, ensuring quality and...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Drive your career forward by developing innovative front and back-end features for game platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance gameplay and optimize performance while embracing new technologies...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in integrating and verifying advanced technical systems for national security. Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless documentation and readiness of complex hardware and software...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$143K - $194K *

Join us to design and scale high-performance distributed systems, tackling complex challenges in CloudWatch Logs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational excellence and deliver...

4 days ago

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

$165K - $223K *

Champion the future of connectivity by developing innovative software solutions for a groundbreaking satellite network. Collaborate across teams to enhance system reliability and mentor junior enginee...

1 week 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.