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Contract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

ECHO

Software Engineer Manager

Lake Zurich, IL · On-site +1

$165K - $180K/yr

ECHO is seeking a hands-on Software Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for enterprise integrations, API services, platform engineering, and full-stack application development. This role ...

Echo Inc

Software Engineer Manager

Lake Zurich, IL · On-site

$165K - $180K/yr

ECHO is seeking a hands-on Software Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for enterprise integrations, API services, platform engineering, and full-stack application development. This role ...

Circle

Manager, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$195K - $257K/yr

... with software engineering * 3 or more years experience coding in one of the following languages: Go, Java, and/or Javascript * Hands on technical manager experienced in designing, building and ...

Ametek

Director, Software Engineering

Mount Prospect, IL

$251K/yr

The Director of Software Engineering is a senior technology leader responsible for driving the ... Reporting into the DVP of Engineering, the Director partners closely with Product Management ...

Ametek

Director, Software Engineering

Mount Prospect, IL · On-site

$251K/yr

Partner cross-functionally with Product Management, Systems Engineering, V&V, Cybersecurity, Quality, Operations, and PMO to ensure integrated planning, release readiness, risk mitigation, and ...

Ripple

Manager, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Strong aptitude with software development lifecycle and engineering excellence processes, Agile methodologies, and the ability to project manage moderately sized projects * Deep software engineering ...

Ripple

Manager, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Strong aptitude with software development lifecycle and engineering excellence processes, Agile methodologies, and the ability to project manage moderately sized projects * Deep software engineering ...

Caterpillar

Manager; AI Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$147K - $240K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Software Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for designing, building, and operating cloud-native AI agents and tools. In this role, you will ...

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All JobsContract Software Engineering JobsContract Software Engineering Manager JobsContract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Contract Software Engineering Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$102.5K

$174.5K

$206.5K

How much do contract software engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract software engineering manager in Chicago, IL is $174,487.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $178,200.00 and $178,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract software engineering manager?

A Contract Software Engineering Manager is a professional who leads and oversees software development teams on a contractual basis, rather than as a permanent employee. They are responsible for managing engineering projects, guiding developers, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software solutions. Typically, they work for a specific duration or on particular projects, providing leadership, technical expertise, and process improvements. This role is ideal for organizations seeking temporary management support or specialized leadership for critical projects. Contract Software Engineering Managers often bring diverse experience from various industries and projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract software engineering manager?

To thrive as a Contract Software Engineering Manager, you need strong leadership abilities, deep software development knowledge, and experience managing engineering teams, typically supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Trello), cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Scrum Master) is often required. Outstanding communication, adaptability, and conflict-resolution skills help build trust and drive team performance in diverse, dynamic environments. These competencies ensure timely project delivery, high code quality, and effective collaboration with stakeholders.

What are some unique challenges faced by contract software engineering managers compared to full-time managers?

Contract software engineering managers often face the challenge of quickly integrating into new teams and company cultures while rapidly understanding ongoing projects. They must establish trust and effective communication in a short period, all while delivering results within limited contract timelines. Additionally, contract managers may need to balance stakeholder expectations and project deliverables without the long-term context or authority that permanent managers might have. Adaptability, strong onboarding skills, and proactive relationship-building are key to thriving in this role.

What is the difference between Contract Software Engineering Manager vs Contract Software Developer?

AspectContract Software Engineering ManagerContract Software Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, management experienceBachelor's in CS or related field, coding skills
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, manages projects, collaborates with stakeholdersFocuses on coding, debugging, implementing features
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, consulting firms, startupsSoftware firms, tech startups, enterprise IT
Common Search & ComparisonManagement responsibilities, leadership rolesTechnical skills, coding focus

The Contract Software Engineering Manager typically oversees development teams, manages projects, and ensures delivery, requiring management experience and leadership skills. In contrast, the Contract Software Developer primarily focuses on coding and implementing software features. Both roles are common in tech industries but differ significantly in responsibilities and required credentials.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineering Manager jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Software Engineering Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Contract Software Engineering Manager job openings:

Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Software Engineering Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 72% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $174,487 per year, or $83.9 per hour.

Software Engineer Manager

Lake Zurich, IL • On-site, Remote

ECHO
See more jobs at ECHOexternal

$165K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of software engineers across integration, API, platform, and full-stack development disciplines.

  • Define and drive architectural vision, standards, and best practices for enterprise applications, integrations, APIs, and platform services.

  • Oversee the planning, prioritization, and successful execution of engineering initiatives.

Job description

ECHO Incorporated is an industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, professional-grade, handheld outdoor power equipment. With distributors and thousands of dealers across North and South America, ECHO is constantly anticipating the future of the outdoor power equipment industry and the need for environmental sustainability. Working for ECHO means joining a team of people who are committed to collaboration, innovation, creativity, and high-quality products that make us a globally competitive brand.
ECHO is seeking a hands-on Software Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for enterprise integrations, API services, platform engineering, and full-stack application development. This role is responsible for building and developing a high-performing engineering team, establishing technical direction, driving architectural decisions, and ensuring successful delivery of scalable, secure, and reliable solutions.
The ideal candidate combines strong people leadership with deep technical expertise and is comfortable mentoring engineers, guiding architectural patterns, and contributing to technical design and implementation when needed.
The salary range for this position is $165,000-$180,000 based on experience and qualifications.
This is a hybrid position that will offer the flexibility of working from home and on-site at our Lake Zurich facility.
ECHO's benefits include:
  • 11 paid holidays
  • Extremely affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Yearly bonus potential
  • 5% 401K match
  • Tuition reimbursement

Duties/Responsibilities:
Engineering Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of software engineers across integration, API, platform, and full-stack development disciplines.
  • Establish team priorities, goals, and delivery commitments aligned with business and technology objectives.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and engineering excellence.
  • Conduct performance reviews, career development planning, succession planning, and talent acquisition activities.
  • Remove organizational and technical barriers that impact team productivity and delivery.

Technical Leadership & Architecture
  • Define and drive architectural vision, standards, and best practices for enterprise applications, integrations, APIs, and platform services.
  • Guide engineering teams in designing scalable, secure, maintainable, and high-performing solutions.
  • Lead architecture reviews, design discussions, and technical decision-making across multiple projects and platforms.
  • Ensure adherence to software engineering principles, coding standards, security requirements, and operational best practices.
  • Partner with enterprise architects and technology leaders to align solutions with the organization's long-term technology strategy.

Delivery & Execution
  • Oversee the planning, prioritization, and successful execution of engineering initiatives.
  • Collaborate with business stakeholders, product owners, and technology teams to translate business needs into technical solutions.
  • Balance strategic initiatives, technical debt reduction, platform modernization, and operational support activities.
  • Ensure projects are delivered with high quality, reliability, and predictable outcomes.
  • Drive continuous improvement in development processes, Agile practices, and team effectiveness.

Hands-On Engineering
  • Participate in technical design, solution reviews, code reviews, and troubleshooting of complex issues.
  • Provide guidance on full-stack application development, API design, integration patterns, and cloud-native architectures.
  • Support critical production incidents and root-cause analysis efforts.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to platforms, tools, and development practices.

Platform, Integration & API Management
  • Lead the design, development, and support of enterprise integrations, middleware services, APIs, and platform capabilities.
  • Drive API lifecycle management, governance, monitoring, and performance optimization.
  • Promote reusable services, standardized integration patterns, and platform capabilities that accelerate development across teams.
  • Partner with Infrastructure, Security, and DevOps teams to improve scalability, reliability, observability, and automation.

Job Experience/Skills:
  • 8+ years of software engineering experience with enterprise applications, APIs, and integrations, including full-stack application development.
  • 4+ years of experience leading and managing software engineering teams.
  • Strong experience with modern software architecture, system design, integration patterns, and API development.
  • Experience building and supporting full-stack applications using modern frontend and backend technologies.
  • Experience with cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud (Preferably Azure).
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence technical decisions, and deliver complex technology initiatives.
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with integration platforms such as Boomi, MuleSoft, Azure Integration Services, Kafka, or similar technologies.
  • Experience with microservices, event-driven architectures, CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and platform engineering.
  • Experience in manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, or enterprise business environments.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field.
Equal Opportunity Employment:
We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants.
E-Verification:
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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