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Contract Fresh Graduate Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Tovala

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL

$130K - $160K/yr

Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it ... We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our engineering team and help us build the ...

Tovala

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it ... We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our engineering team and help us build the ...

Tovala

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it ... We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our engineering team and help us build the ...

Tech Tammina LLC

Embedded Software Engineer

Mossville, IL · On-site

$95K - $126K/yr

Mossville, IL (Onsite) Duration: 6-month contract Core Responsibilities: * Architectural Leadership: Design and own major autonomy software components across perception, localization, and planning ...

Aspinity

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130 - $160/hr

Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it ... We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our engineering team and help us build the ...

Motorola

Embedded Software Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$75K - $150K/yr

Candidates for this position are software engineers with strong programming skills who demonstrate ... Some contracts may have higher-level clearance requirements. Travel RequirementsNone Relocation ...

JR Recruiting

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Define APIs, service boundaries, data contracts, and integration patterns while developing high ... Mentor and coach engineers on software design, development best practices, AI-assisted workflows ...

Epitec

IT Software Engineer 4

Chicago, IL · On-site

$89 - $95/hr

Type: Contract * Job #105691 IT Software Engineer 4 (Senior SDET) Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid - 3 days onsite; anticipated transition to full onsite) Duration: 12-Month Contract with Potential ...

CHAMBERLAIN GROUP

Software Engineer I - AI

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$53K - $100K/yr

This role is ideal for a recent graduate who has completed academic or personal projects using LLMs ... Learn and apply best practices in software engineering and AI development. * Collaborate with ...

Motorola

Embedded Software Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$66K - $95K/yr

Candidates for this position are software engineers with strong programming skills who demonstrate ... Some contracts may have higher-level clearance requirements. Travel RequirementsNone Relocation ...

Leidos

Network Software Engineer

Scott Air Force Base, IL · On-site

$69K - $125K/yr

Description Leidos' Digital Sector/Global Solutions Management-Operations II (GSMO-II) contract has an opening for a Network Software Engineer located in the Scott AFB, IL area. The Network Software ...

Leidos

Network Software Engineer

Shiloh, IL · On-site

Leidos' Digital Sector/Global Solutions Management-Operations II (GSMO-II) contract has an opening for a Network Software Engineer located in the Scott AFB, IL area. The Network Software Engineer ...

Grainger Businesses

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL

$112K - $188K/yr

Bring a fresh perspective to engineering challenges - actively proposing improvements to ways of ... Champion best practices in software engineering, including clean code principles, automated testing ...

Leidos

Network Software Engineer

Shiloh, IL · On-site

Leidos' Digital Sector/Global Solutions Management-Operations II (GSMO-II) contract has an opening for a Network Software Engineer located in the Scott AFB, IL area. The Network Software Engineer ...

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All JobsContract Fresh Graduate Software Engineer JobsContract Fresh Graduate Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Contract Fresh Graduate Software Engineer information

What does a contract fresh graduate software engineer do?

A Contract Fresh Graduate Software Engineer is a recent university graduate who is hired on a temporary or fixed-term basis to work on software development projects. Their responsibilities typically include writing, testing, and debugging code, collaborating with team members, and learning new technologies. This role offers valuable industry experience and exposure to real-world projects, which can help build foundational skills for a long-term software engineering career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract fresh graduate software engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Fresh Graduate Software Engineer, you typically need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C++), computer science fundamentals, and a relevant degree in software engineering or computer science. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, basic exposure to development frameworks, and understanding of software development methodologies are important technical qualifications. Strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to learn, and effective communication skills help new graduates stand out in collaborative and fast-paced environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for quickly adapting to project requirements, delivering quality code, and contributing effectively to engineering teams.

What can a contract fresh graduate software engineer expect in terms of mentorship and learning opportunities?

As a contract fresh graduate software engineer, you can typically expect structured onboarding and regular check-ins with senior engineers or mentors, though the intensity and duration may vary between companies. Many organizations offer access to online learning resources, code reviews, and team meetings to help you develop your skills quickly. Since contract roles are often project-based, you'll likely collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, gaining exposure to real-world workflows and technologies. Being proactive in seeking feedback and asking questions will maximize your learning and help you build a strong foundation for future full-time opportunities.

What is the difference between Contract Fresh Graduate Software Engineer vs Contract Junior Software Developer?

AspectContract Fresh Graduate Software EngineerContract Junior Software Developer
QualificationsRecent CS or related degree, minimal experienceSimilar, often recent graduates or entry-level
Work EnvironmentTeam projects, learning-focusedDevelopment tasks, code implementation
Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, startupsSimilar, widely used in software firms

Both roles target entry-level candidates with similar educational backgrounds. The main difference lies in terminology; 'Software Engineer' emphasizes a broader role, while 'Junior Developer' focuses more on coding tasks. Employers often use these titles interchangeably for fresh graduates starting their careers in software development.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fresh Graduate Software Engineer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Fresh Graduate Software Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
Contract Fresh Graduate Software Engineer jobs near you

Senior Software Engineer

Tovala

Chicago, IL

$130K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

We’re Tovala, a food-tech company reinventing home cooking to save consumers time. Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it incredibly simple for anyone to prepare and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without sacrificing time to do whatever matters to them. Through our superior technology, product experience and food quality, we have separated Tovala from the busy pack of other meal delivery businesses. In the process, we’ve amassed a loyal, rapidly growing following and our retention, product engagement and customer NPS are all best-in-class. We’ve raised over $100mm from great investors like Left Lane Capital, Origin Ventures, Y Combinator and Comcast Ventures and have invested strongly in building a unique culture that fosters growth, personal development and camaraderie.

We’re looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our engineering team and help us build the systems that power Tovala’s digital experience and internal applications. This isn’t a role defined by a single language or framework. We care far more about your ability to architect strong backend systems, solve real problems, and ship products that matter to customers, both internal and external, than whether your background is in Go, Python, TypeScript, or something else entirely.
 
The way software gets built is changing fast. AI tools are already reshaping how our team works, and we want engineers who are not just comfortable with that shift but are actively leading it. You should have strong opinions on how to use AI-assisted development workflows to move faster without sacrificing quality. You’ll be expected to work across our stack, including backend services, infrastructure, and frontend when the problem calls for it, and to collaborate closely with product, design, and other engineering teams to deliver outcomes, not just code.
What You'll Do:
  • Design, build, and maintain backend systems and services that support Tovala’s software products across web and mobile. Our current backend stack is Go and AWS, but we value your ability to learn and adapt over specific language experience.
  • Own problems end-to-end. You’ll scope work, make technical decisions, implement solutions, and see them through to production. You won’t wait to be handed a spec.
  • Use AI-assisted development tools and workflows as a core part of how you work. We expect you to have real experience here, whether that’s with tools like Cursor, Copilot, Claude Code, or similar, and to help shape how the broader team adopts these practices.
  • Work across the stack when the situation calls for it. While your depth is in backend engineering, you’re comfortable contributing to frontend work and aren’t boxed in by a single domain.
  • Collaborate directly with stakeholders and other engineers to understand customer problems, define solutions, and make smart trade-offs between speed and quality.
  • Contribute to architectural decisions and help evolve our technical approach as the team and product grow.
  • Review code thoughtfully, both human-written and AI-generated, with an eye toward system-level coherence, maintainability, and performance.
  • Mentor and support other engineers. Share what you know, raise the bar on engineering practices, and help create an environment where people do their best work.
What You'll Bring:
Required
  • 5+ years of professional software engineering experience, with meaningful depth in backend development (APIs, data pipelines, distributed systems, cloud infrastructure).
  • Strong fundamentals in systems design and architecture. You can make sound decisions about how services communicate, how data flows, and where complexity should live.
  • Demonstrated experience with AI-assisted software development. You’ve integrated AI tools into your daily workflow and can speak concretely about how they’ve changed the way you build software.
  • Ability to work across the stack. You have backend depth but can pick up frontend work (React, TypeScript, or equivalent) and contribute meaningfully when needed.
  • Excellent communication skills. You can explain technical decisions clearly to both engineers and non-technical partners, write well, and navigate cross-functional collaboration with ease.
  • Strong problem-solving instincts. You’re the kind of engineer who digs into the root cause, thinks about second-order effects, and finds pragmatic solutions.
  • A track record of owning and shipping projects with meaningful business impact, ideally in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift.
 Nice to Have
  • Experience with Go and/or AWS (our current primary backend stack).
  • Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation) and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Experience helping define or evolve AI development practices for a team or organization.
  • Experience building or integrating AI/ML features into production products (RAG systems, LLM integrations, chatbots).
  • Background working in a consumer product or food-tech company.
Who You Are:
  • Solution-Minded: You focus on outcomes, not output. You want to understand the customer problem before you start writing code, and you’re not precious about your approach if a better one emerges.
  • AI-Forward: You see AI tools as a fundamental shift in how software gets built, not a novelty. You’re already using them daily and have thoughts on how teams should work with them effectively.
  • Cross-Functional Collaborator: You thrive working alongside product, design, and other teams. You communicate clearly, give and receive feedback well, and care about the end-to-end experience, not just the technical layer.
  • Startup Mindset: You’re comfortable in an environment where priorities evolve, where you’ll wear multiple hats, and where your work has direct, visible impact on the business.
  • Curious and Adaptive: You stay current. Whether it’s a new framework, a new AI capability, or a new way of structuring a team, you’re interested in what works and why.
Compensation & Benefits:

Tovala uses market data, geography, and placement of internal employees to determine salary. Additionally, we offer all employees real ownership in the company in the form of a competitive equity package.

- Flexible paid time off (with a minimum of 15 days off you are highly encouraged to take)
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage we really invest in
- 401k with match
- Free Tovala Smart Oven and discounted Tovala meals 
- Paid holidays and our winter holiday office shutdown where the offices and facilities close for a week around Christmas and New Years
- Various other perks - recognition programs, continued learning stipend, casual dress code, in-office coffee, snacks and drinks, and Tovala swag 

Our Values

> Put the Team First: We put what is best for the broader team ahead of what is best for ourselves or our immediate department.

> Get S#!t Done (Well): We celebrate people at all levels for delivering high impact work that expands the bounds of what we’re able to do.

> Connect the Dots: We engage with curiosity to learn how our work impacts others so that we can problem-solve holistically and work collaboratively.

> Be Direct: We share our perspective openly and directly, even when it feels difficult to do so.

> Embrace the Obstacles: We rise to meet challenges with a sense of urgency, resolve, and optimism.

> Champion the Customer: We consider and prioritize our customer in all of our decisions 

At Tovala we‘re committed to building a workplace that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Everyone is welcome here!

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.