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Lead Java Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Java Software Engineer Location: Chicago, IL (Remote) Duration: 12 months contract Must Have Skills/Attributes : AWS, DevOps, GitHub, Java, Software Development. Experience Desired : • Java ...

Lead Java Software Engineer Location: Chicago, IL (Remote) Duration: 12 months contract Must Have Skills\/Attributes : AWS, DevOps, GitHub, Java, Software Development. Experience Desired : Java ...

$150 - $200/hr

AWS, DevOps, GitHub, Java, Software Development. Experience Desired : * Java development, including ... Technical Lead or Software Engineering Lead (5+ yrs). * Distributed Systems and Event-Driven ...

New

AWS, DevOps, GitHub, Java, Software Development. Experience Desired : * Java development, including ... Technical Lead or Software Engineering Lead (5+ yrs). * Distributed Systems and Event-Driven ...

New

Java Software Developer Lead Location: Sterling, VA(Remote till Covid-19 then Onsite) Duration: 6+ Months Contract then Hire Note from Client Hiring Manager: Core /Production Support, I'll need ...

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Lead Java Software Engineer information

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How much do lead java software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead java software engineer in the United States is $76.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60.82 and $84.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead Java software engineer do?

A Lead Java Software Engineer oversees the design, development, and implementation of software applications using Java technologies. They guide a team of developers, set technical standards, review code, and ensure the successful delivery of projects. Responsibilities also include collaborating with other departments, troubleshooting complex issues, and mentoring junior engineers. Their role combines hands-on programming with leadership and strategic planning to meet business goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead Java software engineer?

To thrive as a Lead Java Software Engineer, you need deep expertise in Java programming, software development methodologies, and a relevant computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with frameworks like Spring, build tools such as Maven or Gradle, and cloud platforms, along with certifications like Oracle Certified Professional, are typically valued. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for mentoring teams and managing complex projects. These capabilities are essential for delivering robust software solutions, guiding development teams, and ensuring project success.

How does a lead Java software engineer typically balance hands-on coding with mentoring and team leadership responsibilities?

As a Lead Java Software Engineer, you'll often split your time between actively contributing code and guiding team members through technical challenges. While you'll still be involved in designing and implementing complex features, a significant part of your role involves code reviews, architectural decisions, and supporting the professional development of junior engineers. Effective communication and time management are crucial, as you'll regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams, participate in planning sessions, and ensure project deliverables align with business goals. Striking this balance enables you to maintain technical expertise while fostering a productive and motivated team environment.

What is the difference between Lead Java Software Engineer vs Java Software Engineer?

AspectLead Java Software EngineerJava Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; often some leadership or project management experienceBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; coding skills
Work EnvironmentTeam leadership, project planning, architecture designDevelopment, coding, debugging
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, software firms, enterprise ITSame as Lead Java Software Engineer
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership, project management, architectureCoding, development, implementation

The main difference between a Lead Java Software Engineer and a Java Software Engineer lies in leadership responsibilities and project involvement. The Lead Java Software Engineer typically oversees projects, guides team members, and makes architectural decisions, while the Java Software Engineer focuses on coding and development tasks. Both roles require similar technical skills and industry experience, but the lead position emphasizes management and strategic planning.

What cities are hiring for Lead Java Software Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Lead Java Software Engineer job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Lead Java Software Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Lead Java Software Engineer jobs are:

What are popular job titles related to Lead Java Software Engineer jobs?

For Lead Java Software Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Lead Java Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,074 per year, or $76.5 per hour.

Contractor

Posted 6 days ago


Job description


This is a remote position.
Job Title: Lead Java Software Engineer
Location: Chicago, IL (Remote)
Duration: 12 months contract
Must Have Skills/Attributes: AWS, DevOps, GitHub, Java, Software Development.
Experience Desired:
• Java development, including modern Java versions, Spring Boot, Microservices (10+ yrs).
• AWS cloud-native applications, including ECS/Fargate, IAM, RDS, ALB, CloudWatch, and Secrets Manager (5+ yrs).
• Technical Lead or Software Engineering Lead (5+ yrs).
• Distributed Systems and Event-Driven microservices, including API integration, performance optimization (5+ yrs).
• DevOps and CI/CD practices using Docker, GitHub, observability tools (3+ yrs)
• Required Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree.
Job Description:
Required Education/Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field.
Required Qualifications:
• 10+ years' experience in this capacity with 5+ years in a lead role.
• Provides technical leadership and delivery ownership for a team of software engineers building and operating scalable cloud-native applications on AWS.
• Drives architecture decisions, engineering best practices, and solution design across Spring Boot microservices, OpenSearch platforms, CI/CD, observability and AWS infrastructure.
• Collaborates with product, architecture, and platform teams to deliver secure, resilient, and high-performing solutions while mentoring engineers, improving development processes, and ensuring successful execution of business objectives.
Required Technical Skills:
• Spring Boot
• Java (latest versions)
• Microservices Architecture
• REST API Development
• AWS Cloud Services (ECS/Fargate, IAM, ALB, RDS, CloudWatch, Secrets Manager)
• OpenSearch / Elasticsearch
• Docker
• CI/CD Pipelines
• GitHub
• Distributed Systems
• Cloud Architecture
• Observability & Monitoring
• DevOps Practices
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
• SQL & NoSQL Databases
• Event-Driven Architecture
• API Integration
• Performance Optimization
Responsibilities:
• Leads software engineers in delivering business-critical applications.
• Establishes technical direction and architectural standards.
• Drives AWS cloud adoption and modernization initiatives.
• Ensures solution scalability, performance, security, and reliability.
• Promotes DevOps, CI/CD, automation, and AI-assisted development practices.
• Supports incident resolution, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Skill Set
Java, AWS, DevOps, GitHub, Technical Lead .