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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$70K - $160K *

Unlock potential by joining our Digital Engineering team to build and maintain in-house software that connects product data across the lifecycle. Collaborate with experienced engineers in a fast-paced...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $165K *

Join a dynamic team to build and maintain in-house software that connects product data across the lifecycle. Contribute to impactful projects while learning from experienced engineers in a fast-paced...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $192K *

Empower the Web Development community by designing innovative tooling and systems, enhancing workflows, and solving complex engineering challenges to boost productivity for teams across the organizati...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$130K - $192K *

Advance your career by shaping the future of web development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design impactful tools and libraries that enhance developer experience and drive efficiency acr...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$130K - $192K *

Transform the web development landscape by architecting innovative tools and systems. Collaborate across teams to solve complex challenges, mentor peers, and elevate the developer experience for impac...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$130K - $192K *

Drive innovation in web development by architecting tools and systems that enhance engineer productivity. Collaborate across teams to tackle complex challenges and mentor peers while shaping the futur...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$130K - $192K *

Champion the future of web development by building foundational tools and libraries. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance developer experience and productivity while solving impactful engineering...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$110K - $135K *

Transform the future of system diagnostics by developing innovative OS features and tools. Collaborate across teams to enhance debugging processes and improve customer experiences, impacting every pha...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Transform customer experiences by deploying cutting-edge systems, providing hands-on support, and bridging the gap between field operations and R&D. Engage in live debugging, training, and feature dev...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $160K *

Drive innovation by developing user-friendly web applications with cutting-edge technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and deliver seamless experiences on both we...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$110K - $130K *

Build reliable testing frameworks to ensure Drover products excel in extreme environments. Design and execute comprehensive test strategies, manage data analysis, and collaborate across teams to deliv...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$184K - $250K *

Drive the development of AI systems by leading a team of engineers and scientists. Own the roadmap for infrastructure, ensuring reliability and security while collaborating across teams to deliver imp...

Yesterday

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

$62K - $111K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of test engineering by supporting the development and commissioning of test solutions, enhancing production efficiency, and driving continuous improvement in test...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$62K - $111K *

Drive the charge in developing and optimizing test solutions, ensuring quality and efficiency in production. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes and deliver comprehensive documentation and tra...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$69K - $125K *

Join a team that's transforming radar technology through innovative software development. Collaborate on real-time RF seeker capabilities and signal-processing pipelines, while advancing your career i...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career as a Senior Test Automation Engineer, leading testing initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring software quality through innovative automation strategies...

Washington, DCRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform software quality by leading test automation efforts, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and execute comprehensive test plans, ensuring high standards and reliability in sof...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Transform software testing processes by developing test plans, executing tests, and analyzing results. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure software quality and operational excellence in...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$92K - $110K *

Drive the development and execution of software testing strategies, ensuring quality and defect-free operation of systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to analyze results and resolve issue...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $234K *

Elevate enterprise applications by building innovative platforms and tools that streamline critical business processes. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver impactful solutions in a fast-paced, e...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by designing and maintaining a full-stack microservices architecture in a dynamic engineering environment, supporting critical modernization efforts with cutting-edge technologie...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $194K *

Unlock your potential by designing innovative software solutions that enhance user experiences and tackle big data challenges. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver high-quality products while men...

3 weeks ago

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

$196K - $230K *

Lead the development of innovative capacity planning solutions for cloud storage and databases, optimizing AWS costs and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance reliability and...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$210K - $250K *

Optimize mission-critical software systems by designing resilient, event-driven architectures and data processing frameworks. Collaborate on real-time monitoring and ensure system observability to enh...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$103K - $218K *

Drive quality assurance by developing and executing comprehensive tests to ensure software reliability. Collaborate with teams to identify defects and enhance test processes, all while contributing to...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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.