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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$125K - $166K *

Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring software quality and compliance for cutting-edge DNA sequencing products. Contribute to testing embedded software and web applications, driving system-level in...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$148K - $232K *

Advance your career by developing cutting-edge mapping algorithms for L4 self-driving vehicles. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance real-time systems and drive innovation in machine lea...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team to elevate software quality through innovative testing strategies, ensuring robust performance and scalability. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive testing initiatives and enha...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$112K - $168K *

Lead the evaluation and integration of advanced systems for national security. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure rigorous testing and documentation, while enhancing engineering proces...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$184K - $250K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI-driven platforms. Lead engineering efforts, manage a talented team, and drive technical excellence while ensuring scalable solutions meet organizational nee...

1 week ago

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

$141K - $211K *

Join a team that's designing and developing scalable automation solutions for data center chipset validation. Leverage your software engineering expertise to tackle complex challenges and enhance auto...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$196K - $230K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing developer infrastructure by optimizing CI pipelines and build systems. You’ll collaborate with engineers to streamline workflows and improve onboarding, makin...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$190K - $240K *

Join a mission-driven team to enhance a robust web-based platform, integrating diverse data sources. Contribute across the stack, developing APIs and visualizations while collaborating closely with pe...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Join a team that's redefining software engineering by developing robust, scalable solutions for a mission-driven platform. Collaborate closely with peers to enhance data processing workflows and deliv...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and maintenance of secure cloud infrastructure for AI capabilities, transforming high-level goals into actionable engineering solutions while mentoring a team an...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Join our team to lead innovative software solutions, enhancing workflows and AI integration. Collaborate directly with customers, driving impactful projects while mentoring a small team in a dynamic...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Engineer robust, large-scale distributed web applications and cloud-native systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to rapidly prototype and deploy critical capabilities, leveraging modern arc...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Unlock potential by designing and developing AI-enabled software for CNE and vulnerability research. Collaborate with experts to deliver reliable solutions, mentor engineers, and enhance research work...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on transforming infrastructure data into actionable insights, enhancing operational efficiency through innovative streaming analytics and robust ETL...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $240K *

Champion the design and delivery of AI-enabled software for vulnerability research, integrating complex features and subsystems while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance research work...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $300K *

Lead the charge in designing and implementing robust build systems for high-performance CPU development, ensuring efficient workflows and reliability across design and verification teams...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $160K *

Innovate by leading the development of robust Salesforce solutions, architecting integrations, and enhancing AI capabilities while driving technical excellence and scalability across enterprise system...

Reposted today

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

$120K - $130K *

Transform your career by designing and delivering complex full-stack solutions using Java, Spring Boot, and Angular. Collaborate with teams to enhance engineering quality and lead technical initiative...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$171K - $286K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team focused on developing cutting-edge in-memory database solutions. Drive technical direction and operational excellence while ensuring data durability and p...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

2 weeks ago

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

$108K - $218K *

Join a dynamic team to validate next-gen networking platforms, develop test strategies, and automate complex scenarios. Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure high-quality, reliable netw...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $216K *

Champion the development of high-performance REST APIs, leading architectural decisions and mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to enhance system performance and establish best practices in...

Cambridge, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $216K *

Elevate your career by leading the design and implementation of high-performance backend systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish API standards and mentor engineers, driving innov...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$202K - $224K *

Deliver innovative backend solutions to enhance consumer-facing features, driving growth and user experience for millions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape product vision and optimize...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$202K - $224K *

Champion advanced machine learning solutions to optimize rider pricing, driving revenue and ridership growth. Lead technical direction, enhance algorithms, and collaborate cross-functionally to impact...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$202K - $224K *

Elevate your career by leading innovative machine learning solutions that optimize rider pricing and drive revenue growth. Collaborate across teams to enhance algorithms and mentor junior members, imp...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

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.