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Contract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

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 ...

New

Manager, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $150K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY The Manager of Software Engineering will provide leadership for design and implementation of software architecture for Allied Benefit Systems. This role is also responsible for ...

The Software Engineering Senior Manager is a senior technical leader responsible for architecting, building, and operating the firm's cloud-native automation platform. This role requires deep ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Aug 8, 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 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 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 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:
Infographic showing various Contract Software Engineering Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $174,487 per year, or $83.9 per hour.

Software Engineer Manager, Learning Platforms, Global Business Organization

Socket.dev

Chicago, IL • On-site

$207 - $300/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent practical experience.

  • 8 years of experience in software development.

  • 3 years of experience with full stack development, across back-end such as Java, Python, Golang, or C++ codebases, and front-end experience including JavaScript or TypeScript, HTML, CSS or equivalent.

  • 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role.

  • 2 years of experience in a people management or team leadership role.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field.

  • 3 years of experience working in a structured organization.

  • Experience with machine learning (ML) model fine-tuning, evaluation, and performance optimization for user-facing systems.


ABOUT THE JOB:

Like Google's own ambitions, the work of a Software Engineer goes beyond just Search. Software Engineering Managers have not only the technical expertise to take on and provide technical leadership to major projects, but also manage a team of Engineers. You not only optimize your own code but make sure Engineers are able to optimize theirs. As a Software Engineering Manager you manage your project goals, contribute to product strategy and help develop your team. Teams work all across the company, in areas such as information retrieval, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking, security, data compression, user interface design; the list goes on and is growing every day. Operating with scale and speed, our exceptional software engineers are just getting started -- and as a manager, you guide the way.


With technical and leadership expertise, you manage engineers across multiple teams and locations, a large product budget and oversee the deployment of large-scale projects across multiple sites internationally.


The Global Business Organization (GBO) is the engine that powers Google’s full ecosystem of products and services to help customers and partners succeed and grow. GBO includes the commercial arms of Ads sellers, business development teams, and customer services and support, as well as overlay programs that enable coordinated engagement with Google’s most complex and important customers and partners. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.


US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits


Learn more about benefits at Google [https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/benefits/].


RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Set and communicate team priorities that support the broader organization's goals. Align strategy, processes, and decision-making across teams.

  • Set clear expectations with individuals based on their level and role and aligned to the broader organization's goals. Meet regularly with individuals to discuss performance and development and provide feedback and coaching.

  • Develop the mid-term technical goals and roadmap within the scope of your (often multiple) team(s). Evolve the roadmap to meet anticipated future requirements and infrastructure needs.

  • Design, guide and vet systems designs within the scope of the broader area, and write product or system development code to solve ambiguous problems.

  • Review code developed by other engineers and provide feedback to ensure best practices (e.g., style guidelines, checking code in, accuracy, testability, and efficiency).

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