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.
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.
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.
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.
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to design and implement software solutions for mission-critical defense applications, collaborating in an Agile environment to enhance combat systems and ensure reliability in soft...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, Amazon Quick
$168K - $227K *
Join us to design and implement robust access-control systems that ensure secure interactions in Amazon Quick. Collaborate across teams to influence architectural decisions and mentor engineers, shapi...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, Amazon Quick
$193K - $261K *
Drive innovation by leading the architecture of distributed services for AI-powered solutions, enhancing the skills platform and catalog experience while mentoring a talented engineering team to solve...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, Amazon Quick
$193K - $261K *
Transform the future of AI-driven business solutions by leading the design and architecture of innovative features for a cutting-edge platform, ensuring high availability and scalability while mentori...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $280K *
Explore advanced radar capabilities by designing and developing cutting-edge signal processing algorithms. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to optimize performance and lead innovative project...
6 days ago
Sr Software Engineer - Experimentation
$202K - $224K *
Shape the future of experimentation by developing robust systems that empower teams to make data-driven decisions, enhancing product iterations across diverse platforms and driving impactful business...
2 weeks ago
SIE 3 - (Linux, Ansible, Python)
$201K - $246K *
Elevate the performance of high-performance computing environments by leading software integration efforts, ensuring secure and efficient deployments while collaborating with cross-functional teams to...
2 weeks ago
SIE 3 - (Linux, Ansible, Python)
$201K - $246K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of software integration, leading high-performance computing deployments. Collaborate with teams to resolve complex issues, enhance system stability, and ensure com...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer , Amazon Leo
$143K - $194K *
Transform satellite systems through embedded software development and security feature integration, collaborating closely across teams to ensure robust device interfaces and application support...
4 weeks ago
Senior Software Integration Engineer (TTO3)
$120K - $145K *
Join our team to enhance High Performance Computing services, providing critical support for multi-vendor systems and advanced storage solutions across diverse environments. Your expertise will drive...
1 week ago
Systems Engineer - Evaluation Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in designing and building robust distributed systems that ensure fault-tolerance and efficiency while managing complex evaluation loops across diverse devices and high-throughput simul...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Backend
$155K - $175K *
Transform customer experience by designing and delivering robust APIs and backend services. Own production features end-to-end, ensuring reliability and quality while collaborating with cross-function...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower our mission by designing and developing low-code solutions using Microsoft Power Platform. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver secure, compliant, and scalable applications that support th...
Today
Software Development Engineer, Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) Networking
$143K - $194K *
Unlock potential by leading software development for mission-critical networks. Collaborate with teams to automate solutions, enhance security, and optimize systems, ensuring high availability and ope...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Apple Services Engineering
$145K - $175K *
Elevate your career by developing cutting-edge cloud services infrastructure. Join a passionate team to enhance user privacy and deliver high-quality, scalable applications for millions of Apple custo...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Reliability Platform
$130K - $192K *
Transform the reliability landscape by designing and building robust software solutions that empower engineering teams to enhance service quality and operational efficiency across multiple platforms...
1 week ago
Software Engineer II- Web (AWS, .NET)
$88K - $105K *
Join a dynamic team to design, develop, and deploy innovative software solutions, ensuring high standards and user satisfaction throughout the software development lifecycle. Bring your expertise to e...
3 weeks ago
$134K - $188K *
Deliver innovative software solutions that enhance data platform automation, ensuring scalability and reliability while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet operational needs and improve...
1 week ago
Associate Supplier Development Engineer, Supplier Quality
$85K - $105K *
Elevate supplier performance by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance quality, reduce costs, and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing processes for ground support equipment...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $250K *
Innovate and enhance CI/CD pipelines while driving QA best practices across engineering teams, ensuring high-quality embedded software through test automation and infrastructure management...
1 month ago
Senior Software Engineer, Platform
$132K - $161K *
Elevate your career by enhancing the reliability and scalability of production systems. Lead database migrations, optimize cloud data platforms, and build self-service tools to empower engineers in a...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate with us as you develop and document software for advanced directed energy systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance control systems and contribute to cutting-edge projects in a fast...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Product
$145K - $175K *
Join our dynamic team as you design and build scalable software solutions for healthcare, addressing complex challenges and enhancing patient experiences with autonomy and innovation...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Fintech Platform
$198K - $246K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing fintech for truckers by building robust, transparent systems that empower small businesses. Drive innovation and lead engineering efforts to optimize financial tools...
6 days ago
$102K - $179K *
Develop and maintain innovative software solutions that drive business objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle complex challenges, mentor engineers, and influence technical direc...
3 weeks ago
What does a Lead Java Software Engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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.