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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$133K - $190K *

Pioneer the development of resilient microservices, driving cloud-native architecture evolution. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance service security and performance while ensuring operational e...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$158K - $213K *

Shape innovative software solutions by designing, developing, and implementing robust applications. Collaborate through the full development cycle while mentoring junior engineers to enhance team capa...

2 days ago

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

$134K - $188K *

Shape the future of lunar exploration by developing innovative software platforms that enhance mission capabilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive impactful solutions and ensure th...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing advanced technical support and troubleshooting for end-user computing environments. Elevate user experiences by resolving complex issues and enhancing operati...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$168K - $227K *

Innovate customer experiences by developing cutting-edge personalization services. Lead advanced AI solutions to create seamless, adaptive interactions that enhance service across a diverse range of b...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$178K - $210K *

Drive innovative solutions as a Software Engineer, developing and maintaining software across the entire lifecycle while enhancing integration with existing systems in a dynamic environment focused on...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$178K - $210K *

Elevate your career by joining our team as a Software Engineer, where you’ll develop and troubleshoot cutting-edge software components while collaborating on various technologies in a dynamic Linux en...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $194K *

Transform your career by designing and operating scalable data pipelines, enhancing data quality, and collaborating with ML teams to deliver robust software solutions that drive analytics and operatio...

4 weeks ago

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

$143K - $194K *

Elevate your career by designing and deploying scalable software solutions for application streaming and virtual desktop delivery, impacting millions of users daily through innovative, reliable, and e...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team as you define and execute test strategies for AI applications, ensuring quality and performance through rigorous testing and evaluation. Collaborate with developers and users to de...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$65K - $150K *

Transform AI technology by troubleshooting complex issues, enhancing performance, and collaborating with engineers to improve intelligent systems. Engage in hands-on problem-solving and user training...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$65K - $150K *

Unlock potential by driving innovation in AI technology, troubleshooting complex issues, and enhancing system performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve user experience and ensure...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$65K - $150K *

Join our AI Technology team to tackle complex challenges in enterprise AI. You'll enhance intelligent systems, troubleshoot AI behavior, and collaborate with engineers to improve performance across va...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$65K - $150K *

Engage in cutting-edge AI technology, troubleshooting complex issues and enhancing system performance. Collaborate with engineers to improve intelligent systems and drive user adoption through trainin...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$65K - $150K *

Unlock your potential in AI technology by troubleshooting and enhancing intelligent systems. Collaborate with engineers to resolve issues, improve performance, and drive user adoption across innovativ...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$65K - $150K *

Champion the future of AI technology by troubleshooting and enhancing intelligent systems. Collaborate with engineers to resolve issues, improve performance, and drive user adoption across various AI...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$65K - $150K *

Champion the evolution of enterprise AI by troubleshooting and enhancing intelligent systems. Collaborate with engineers to resolve issues, improve performance, and drive user adoption, ensuring seaml...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$144K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of rocket propulsion with a hands-on role overseeing design and execution of platforms for real-time analyzing of hot-fire test data, driving software architecture...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$144K - $180K *

Elevate your career by architecting scalable platforms that capture and analyze rocket engine data in real-time. Lead cross-functional teams to modernize systems, ensuring insight-driven propulsion de...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $225K *

Create innovative data solutions by designing scalable pipelines and AI tools. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data quality and security, driving impactful analytics and machine lea...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

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

$151K - $161K *

Unlock potential by transforming security processes through automation and continuous monitoring. Collaborate with teams to enhance infrastructure management and ensure compliance, driving efficiency...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$180K - $235K *

Lead the charge in developing robust backend applications, driving complex projects from design to launch. Collaborate across teams, mentor junior engineers, and tackle architectural challenges to enh...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $194K *

Engage in innovative software development across diverse AWS teams, designing and implementing scalable solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and mentor juni...

3 weeks ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Champion innovative software solutions by leading the design and development of a cloud-native card issuing and payment processing platform, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure operati...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$234K - $398K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of portfolio construction by leading a high-performing engineering team. Shape strategy, enhance execution, and deliver innovative tools that empower investment pr...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.