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Java Technical Lead Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

ClifyX

Data Engineering (Java / Python Tech Lead)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$144K - $177K/yr

ClifyX is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Implementation Technical Lead to oversee the ... JAVA Python • Strong Problem-solving communication and leadership skills • Experience of code ...

Addison Group

Lead Java Developer

Addison, IL · On-site

... Lead web or mobile applications or components delivery using software disciplines from design ... Analyze and resolve technical and application problems Participate in peer-reviews of solution ...

Addison Group

Lead Java Developer

Addison, IL · On-site

... technical leadership and execute on new market initiatives, continuously improving the codebase, architecture, and processes of existing systems • Mentor other engineers, review their work, and ...

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All JobsJava Technical Lead JobsJava Technical Lead Jobs in Illinois

Java Technical Lead information

See Illinois salary details

$20

$59

$78

How much do java technical lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for java technical lead in Illinois is $59.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.56 and $65.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Java Technical Lead?

Java Technical Leads are experienced software professionals responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of Java-based applications within a team or organization. They guide software engineers, set technical direction, ensure code quality, and collaborate with stakeholders to meet project objectives. Their role combines hands-on coding, architecture design, mentoring team members, and managing the delivery of software solutions. Java Technical Leads also help resolve technical challenges and stay updated with the latest Java technologies to ensure best practices are followed.

How does a Java Technical Lead typically balance coding responsibilities with team leadership and mentoring?

A Java Technical Lead often divides their time between hands-on development and guiding the technical direction of the team. While they contribute to coding critical components and reviewing code for quality, a significant part of their role involves mentoring junior developers, facilitating design discussions, and ensuring best practices are followed. They also coordinate with other teams, manage project timelines, and help resolve technical challenges, making strong communication and leadership skills essential. This balance allows them to stay actively involved in technical work while fostering team growth and ensuring successful project delivery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Java Technical Lead, and why are they important?

To excel as a Java Technical Lead, you need advanced proficiency in Java development, strong software architecture knowledge, and experience leading technical teams, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with frameworks like Spring, build tools such as Maven or Gradle, version control systems like Git, and relevant certifications (e.g., Oracle Certified Professional) are highly valuable. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and leadership abilities set top performers apart by enabling them to guide teams and manage projects effectively. These skills are critical for ensuring high-quality software delivery, fostering team collaboration, and driving successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Java Technical Lead vs Java Developer?

AspectJava Technical LeadJava Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related, often with leadership experienceBachelor's in CS or related
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, coordinates projects, and designs architectureDevelops code, implements features, and fixes bugs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in mid to large tech companies, consulting firmsCommon across startups, tech firms, and enterprise companies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles and responsibilitiesFocus on coding and development tasks

The Java Technical Lead typically oversees development teams, designs system architecture, and ensures project delivery, requiring leadership skills and experience. In contrast, a Java Developer primarily focuses on coding, implementing features, and debugging. While both roles require strong Java skills and similar educational backgrounds, the Technical Lead has additional responsibilities related to team coordination and project management.

Java Technical Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Java Technical Lead job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,625 per year, or $59.9 per hour.

Lead Software Engineer (Java / AWS)

The AES Group

Chicago, IL • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Role: Lead Software Engineer (Java / AWS)
Location: Chicago, IL
Work Model: Hybrid (3 days/week onsite)
Let’s create our future together at The AES Group!

About The AES Group:
The AES Group is a premier technology and engineering consulting company that has been bringing businesses and talent together for over 20 years to deliver innovative solutions that have the greatest positive impact on society. AES has helped over 40 business enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, engage their customers, empower their employees, and transform their business operations with the power of cloud, data, AI, engineering, and other emerging technologies.

Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer to provide technical leadership in designing and developing cloud-native backend applications using Java, Spring Boot, and AWS. This is a hands-on engineering role responsible for architecting scalable distributed systems, leading technical decisions, mentoring engineers, and driving best practices across cloud-native application development.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and development of Java-based cloud-native applications on AWS.
  • Build scalable microservices using Spring Boot.
  • Design and implement RESTful APIs and event-driven services.
  • Architect highly available, fault-tolerant distributed systems.
  • Develop asynchronous messaging solutions using Kafka or similar technologies.
  • Design cloud infrastructure leveraging AWS managed services.
  • Implement Infrastructure as Code and CI/CD best practices.
  • Lead technical design discussions, architecture reviews, and code reviews.
  • Improve system observability through logging, metrics, monitoring, and distributed tracing.
  • Troubleshoot production issues and optimize application performance.
  • Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Mentor engineers and establish engineering standards and best practices.

Required Qualifications

  • 10+ years of software engineering experience.
  • 3+ years of technical leadership or team lead experience preferred.
  • Strong experience building enterprise-scale backend applications.
  • No degree required.

Required Technical Skills

  • AWS Cloud Architecture
  • Java (Advanced) and/or Kotlin
  • Spring Boot
  • Microservices Architecture
  • REST API Development
  • OpenAPI / Swagger
  • SQL & Relational Databases
  • NoSQL Databases (DynamoDB, MongoDB, Cassandra)
  • Kafka or Event-Driven Messaging
  • CI/CD Pipelines
  • Build & Deployment Automation
  • Distributed Systems
  • Cloud-Native Development
  • Observability (Logging, Metrics, Tracing)
  • Production Support & Performance Tuning

Preferred Experience

  • Designing highly available distributed systems.
  • Infrastructure as Code.
  • Event-driven architecture.
  • Cloud-native application modernization.
  • Technical architecture and solution design.
  • Agile/Scrum development environment.