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Contract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

EndoSec LLC

FPGA Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL

$128K - $164K/yr

Apply Now RTL, C/C++, Python, VHDL, Verilog, Tcl, cryptography, hardware, embedded software, System ... reverse engineering, cocotb, pyuvm Full Time Travel required to 10%. Must be able to apply for and ...

EndoSec LLC

FPGA Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL

$128K - $164K/yr

Apply Now RTL, C/C++, Python, VHDL, Verilog, Tcl, cryptography, hardware, embedded software, System ... reverse engineering, cocotb, pyuvm Full Time Travel required to 10%. Must be able to apply for and ...

NAVA Software Solutions

Technical Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$68.25 - $82.50/hr

NAVA Software solutions is looking for a Technical Architect Details: Technical Architect Location ... Demonstrated experience performing reverse engineering custom applications. * Well versed with ...

Judge Group, Inc.

Engineer Software

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$100 - $120/hr

Contract Our engineers are self-starters who are part of a team of software professionals developing world-class software to meet our customer's high expectations. The Software Engineer designs ...

Ocra

Full-stack Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Building and consuming APIs; able to reverse engineer poorly documented systems. * Comfortable in a distributed, text-first communication environment (Slack, GitHub, Notion, Linear, Google Docs)

EXPANSIA

E01-T07 Anti-Tamper Engineer

Mundelein, IL

$190K - $195K/yr

Must have reverse engineering experience/knowledge. * Travel requirements: 50% PREFERRED ADDITIONAL ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

Chipton Ross

Software Engineer 3

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$163.46/hr

Job #218473 Chipton-Ross is seeking a Software Engineer 3 for a contract opportunity in Rolling Meadows, IL. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE) * Bachelor's degree in Software ...

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 ...

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All JobsContract Software Reverse Engineer JobsContract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Contract Software Reverse Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$79

$94

$106

How much do contract software reverse engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract software reverse engineer in Chicago, IL is $94.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86.92 and $101.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those with expertise in high-demand areas like machine learning, cloud computing, or cybersecurity, can earn $300,000 or more annually. These roles often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or specialized certifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Software Reverse Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Software Reverse Engineer, you need expertise in programming languages (such as C/C++ and Assembly), a strong understanding of operating systems, and experience with software debugging, typically supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Proficiency with technical tools like IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg, and decompilers, as well as knowledge of malware analysis or cybersecurity certifications, is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you dissect complex systems and present findings clearly to clients. These skills are crucial for accurately analyzing software, identifying vulnerabilities, and delivering actionable insights in diverse and time-sensitive projects.

What are some of the most common challenges faced by contract software reverse engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Contract software reverse engineers often encounter challenges such as analyzing undocumented code, working with obfuscated binaries, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical guidelines. To address these, it’s important to stay current with reverse engineering tools, maintain clear communication with clients about project scope, and document findings thoroughly. Additionally, collaborating with other security professionals and leveraging community resources can help solve complex technical problems and ensure the integrity of the work.

What is the salary of a Reverse Engineer in software engineering?

The salary of a Contract Software Reverse Engineer varies based on experience, location, and project complexity, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. Skilled reverse engineers with expertise in debugging, malware analysis, and security tools can command higher rates, especially for specialized or contract roles.

What is the difference between Contract Software Reverse Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectContract Software Reverse EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically requires knowledge of reverse engineering, programming, and security certificationsRequires programming skills, often with a degree in computer science or related field
Work EnvironmentOften project-based, working independently or in teams to analyze existing softwareUsually employed in development teams to create new software applications
Industry UsageUsed in cybersecurity, software analysis, and security testingUsed across various industries for software creation and maintenance
Search & Comparison IntentCommonly compared for skills overlap in security and reverse engineeringCompared for software creation and coding expertise

The main difference is that Contract Software Reverse Engineers focus on analyzing and understanding existing software, often for security or compatibility purposes, while Software Developers create new software applications. Both roles require strong programming skills, but their focus and work environments differ significantly.

What does a Contract Software Reverse Engineer do?

A Contract Software Reverse Engineer is a professional who is hired on a temporary or project basis to analyze software applications and systems to understand their structure, functionality, and behavior. This process often involves decompiling or disassembling software to recover source code or design elements, identify vulnerabilities, or ensure software compliance. Contract Software Reverse Engineers commonly work with legacy systems, malware analysis, or software interoperability tasks. Their expertise is valuable for clients who need insight into proprietary or undocumented software components.

Is it legal to Reverse Engineer a software?

For a Contract Software Reverse Engineer, the legality of reverse engineering software depends on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances, such as whether the software is copyrighted or protected by licensing agreements. In some cases, reverse engineering is permitted for interoperability, security research, or with explicit permission, but in others it may violate intellectual property laws. Professionals in this field should ensure they understand applicable laws and obtain necessary permissions to avoid legal issues.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced software engineers, especially those in specialized fields like reverse engineering, cybersecurity, or working at top tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually. These roles often require advanced skills, certifications, and sometimes involve stock options or bonuses as part of compensation packages.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Contract Software Reverse Engineer job openings:
Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs near you
FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

EndoSec LLC

Elk Grove Village, IL

$128K - $164K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Apply Now

RTL, C/C++, Python, VHDL, Verilog, Tcl, cryptography, hardware, embedded software, System Integration, Hardware Security, Xilinx, Simulation, IP core, Versal, Stratix, concept to deployment, Vivado, GHDL, Questa, Quartus Prime, Zynq, Agilex, AXI, ACE, Avalon, FPGA verification tools, reverse engineering, cocotb, pyuvm

Full Time

Travel required to 10%.

Must be able to apply for and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

FPGA Engineer

The EndoSec FPGA Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, and maintenance of IP cores and FPGA-based systems used in hardware security applications.

Key Responsibilities

FPGA Design and Development: Design and develop IP cores and FPGA configurations implementing the latest in leakage-resilient hardware cryptography algorithms using state-of-the-art FPGA hardware.

Modeling and Simulation: Use simulation tools and verification frameworks to ensure mathematically-correct logic before hardware deployment.

Hardware/Software Design: Work closely with other engineers to integrate FPGA designs with application software and embedded systems. Implement embedded software-based testing solutions where applicable to validate FPGA designs.

Performance Optimization: Optimize FPGA designs for timing, resource utilization, and throughput. Identify and resolve system bottlenecks.

Testing and Validation: Create comprehensive test and verification plans for FPGA components, conduct unit and integration testing, and validate hardware performance against requirements in a remote environment.

System Integration: Ensure seamless integration between internally-developed and third-party IP cores, FPGA designs, and embedded systems. Collaborate with other engineers to develop and maintain system-level architecture.

Troubleshooting and Debugging: Utilize debugging tools and techniques to diagnose and resolve issues within FPGA designs and hardware platforms.

Documentation: Prepare detailed documentation, including design specifications, testing protocols, and user guides, to support system development and maintenance.

Continuous Learning: Actively stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in FPGA technology and hardware security to continually refine and enhance system capabilities.

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About EndoSec

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2013

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