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.
$80K - $120K *
Empower innovation by designing, building, and deploying software solutions. Collaborate with teams to ensure high-quality code and maintain system reliability while addressing technical challenges in...
2 days ago
Staff Software Engineer - Managed Kubernetes
$160K - $190K *
Drive development of cutting-edge Managed Kubernetes platform for AI. Collaborate cross-functionally to shape infrastructure solutions that enhance performance, reliability, and simplicity for large-s...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$140K - $190K *
Drive the evolution of developer experience by owning product surfaces, collaborating on API design, and enhancing onboarding paths. Ensure seamless integration and usability for developers and agents...
4 days ago
$130K - $155K *
Accelerate your career by designing innovative data-centric solutions in a dynamic, agile environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop cutting-edge applications that leverage AI and...
Yesterday
Software Engineer Skill Level 3 (SWE3) - 540
$199K - $235K *
Help us design and deploy cutting-edge Retrieval-Augmented Generation solutions in a high-performance computing environment, leveraging advanced technologies and frameworks to support mission-critical...
2 days ago
Software Engineer Skill Level 3 (SWE3) - 540
$199K - $235K *
Design and develop Retrieval-Augmented Generation solutions in a high-performance computing environment, leveraging expertise in Python, Kubernetes, and CI/CD automation to deliver scalable, productio...
2 days ago
Software Engineer 6 - Ad Serving Platform
$499K - $500K+*
Empower innovation by leading the technical direction of our ad-serving platform. Drive architectural excellence and optimize high-throughput systems while ensuring operational resiliency and collabor...
Today
$109K - $197K *
Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge compiler software for emulators, enhancing functional verification of System-on-Chip designs. Collaborate in a multi-site environment, focusing on C++ devel...
Today
Senior Lead Engineer, Test Development
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing and implementing advanced test solutions, ensuring high-quality product assembly through innovative design verification methodologies across multiple technical domains...
Reposted 3 days ago
Software Engineer Skill Level 1
$125K - $142K *
Join a team that's dedicated to developing and enhancing complex software systems, ensuring adherence to design requirements while tackling challenges in a collaborative environment. Your expertise wi...
1 week ago
Software Engineer Skill Level 1
$125K - $142K *
Join a dynamic team to develop and enhance complex software systems, ensuring adherence to design requirements while collaborating on innovative solutions for critical missions...
1 week ago
$202K - $274K *
Lead the charge in developing AI-driven solutions to enhance onboarding experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design scalable systems, ensuring high performance and operational excel...
Yesterday
$202K - $274K *
Innovate and lead the development of AI-driven solutions to enhance onboarding experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, high-quality applications while mentoring peers...
Yesterday
$202K - $274K *
Transform the payroll landscape by architecting innovative full-stack solutions. Lead a dynamic team in developing customer-facing applications and AI features that enhance business efficiency and dri...
Yesterday
$202K - $274K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of scalable systems and AI-driven workflows. Leverage your expertise in distributed systems to enhance operational excellence and mentor engineers while driving i...
Yesterday
$80K - $120K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and develop user-centric web applications, integrating AI-driven insights for high-stakes decision-making workflows while ensuring performance and sec...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of user-centric web applications by designing and developing modern front-end solutions that integrate AI insights, ensuring secure and scalable experiences for Veterans and the VA mi...
1 week ago
$120K - $160K *
Join our dynamic team to design and develop cutting-edge AI platforms, enhancing decision-making workflows through innovative web applications and robust backend services. Collaborate across the full...
2 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing engineering solutions through innovative software development. Collaborate with experts to enhance applications, support customer needs, and drive impactful research...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop a next-gen AI platform, focusing on intelligent agent frameworks and modern web applications. Collaborate across the full stack to enhance decision-making wor...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock innovative solutions as you design and develop a next-gen AI platform. Collaborate across the full stack to create intelligent applications that enhance decision-making workflows in a dynamic...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate our software engineering capabilities by designing and building modern, cloud-native data pipelines. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure seamless project delivery and advocate for best pr...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer , AWS Agentic AI Foundations
$143K - $194K *
Drive innovation in AI by enhancing Bedrock AgentCore services. Tackle engineering challenges to deliver scalable, efficient solutions while mentoring engineers and shaping technology in a fast-paced...
2 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of backend storage solutions on AWS. You'll design, build, and optimize scalable systems, ensuring high performance and reliability while collaborating with cross...
4 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Architect robust Kubernetes solutions to enhance cloud infrastructure. Drive multi-cloud initiatives and implement cell-based architecture for scalable, reliable services. Join a team dedicated to bui...
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.