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Contract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Elgin, IL

Virginia Civis is hiring a Software Engineer (Contract) to build and ship high-quality software across the full stack in service of our clients' most important missions. This is a 6-month contract ...

Virginia Civis is hiring a Software Engineer (Contract) to build and ship high-quality software across the full stack in service of our clients' most important missions. This is a 6-month contract ...

Virginia Civis is hiring a Software Engineer (Contract) to build and ship high-quality software across the full stack in service of our clients' most important missions. This is a 6-month contract ...

FPGA Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$133K - $172K/yr

Hardware/Software Design: Work closely with other engineers to integrate FPGA designs with ... reverse engineering techniques - Experience with hardware acceleration techniques for ...

FPGA Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$127K - $164K/yr

Hardware/Software Design: Work closely with other engineers to integrate FPGA designs with ... reverse engineering techniques - Experience with hardware acceleration techniques for ...

Reverse-engineer and stress-test network and systems programming technologies in order to ... Collaborate closely with Traders and with the Hardware and Software Engineers who will implement ...

Reverse-engineer and stress-test network and systems programming technologies in order to ... Collaborate closely with Traders and with the Hardware and Software Engineers who will implement ...

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$180K - $200K/yr

Design APIs, event flows, and service contracts that let agents and human workflows interact with ... Experience with Snowflake or building data synchronization / reverse ETL workflows. * Experience ...

FPGA Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site

$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 ...

FPGA Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site

$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 ...

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)

Showing results 21-40

Contract Software Reverse Engineer information

See Elgin, IL salary details

$76

$90

$102

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

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract software reverse engineer in Elgin, IL is $90.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83.41 and $97.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 are popular job titles related to Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL?

For Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL are:

What cities near Elgin, IL are hiring for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs?

Cities near Elgin, IL with the most Contract Software Reverse Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Software Reverse Engineer job openings in Elgin, IL as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $187,816 per year, or $90.3 per hour.

Software Engineer (Contract)

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Civis Analytics
Software Development • 51 - 200 employees

$90K/yr

Full-time, Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Please note that candidates must currently live in the following states: DC, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont. Virginia
Civis is hiring a Software Engineer (Contract) to build and ship high-quality software across the full stack in service of our clients' most important missions. This is a 6-month contract role for an early-career engineer who is ready to work across the stack. React on the front end, Python/Ruby/Node on the back end, and SQL alongside a team of engineers, designers, and product managers who care deeply about what they build and who they build it for.
Responsibilities
  • Develop high-quality software
  • Support and collaborate with other engineers, data scientists, and product managers
  • Review and debug code
  • Effectively apply Civis best practices methodology and enforces design standards
  • Ensure project documents are complete, current, and archived appropriately
  • Ability to research, prototype and recommend software solutions
  • Collaborate with other teams within the organization
  • Engage the project on an emotional level as well as technical

Minimum Qualifications
  • 1 - 2 years of professional experience as a software developer/engineer
  • Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and experience building and integrating with AI tools such as Claude Code and GitHub Copilot
  • Experience developing user interfaces with modern JavaScript frameworks (specifically React)
  • Experience developing web applications with frameworks such as Rails, Django or NodeJS
  • Experience developing web applications with ReactJS, AngularJS and/or VueJS
  • Comfort working with SQL databases
  • Love of problem-solving
  • An ability and eagerness to constantly learn and teach others
  • Passion for solving large, complex problems for customers

Preferred Qualifications
  • Graduate degree in Computer Science or a related subject
  • Significant experience with one or more of the following:
    • Python, Ruby, and/or Go (golang)
    • Flask
    • Developing AI applications
    • Designing and building APIs
    • Query optimization, database administration, analytics databases, and/or NoSQL
    • Automated software testing and continuous integration
    • Cloud application deployment and monitoring
    • Proficiency working with Amazon Web Services (AWS)
    • Data visualization for the web (using D3 or similar)
    • Statistics and predictive modeling (using tools like pandas, scikit-learn, NumPy, SciPy, R, STATA)
    • Prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), or fine-tuning workflows

Who we are
At Civis, we have opportunities for applicants who are newcomers, seasoned professionals, and anywhere in between. Our teams are energized by complex challenges and value diversity of thought. Opportunities to stand out and inspire happen daily and we trust and encourage you to act on your ideas - no matter how big they are. We offer you the tools and community you need to do your best work. Each of us is committed to holding ourselves accountable for results, challenging the status quo and finding new ways to grow our company and each other.
Why join our team?
  • 6 Month contract term through December 31, 2026
  • Salary: $90,000 annually
  • The opportunity to be part of a growing tech startup focused on solving interesting and meaningful problems, invested in internal promotion, and committed to fostering a diverse, equal and inclusive workplace.
  • Competitive benefits, including unlimited PTO, 401K match with immediate vesting, health, dental, and vision benefits, paid parental leave, breastfeeding support including breastmilk shipping services for traveling moms, flexible work from home policy, commuter benefits, wellness initiatives including weekly group meditations, monthly on-site massage therapy, and pet insurance.
  • Modern office, conveniently located in the Loop. Close to public transportation, great restaurants and beautiful city views.

Civis Analytics embraces the individuality of our employees and we celebrate each other's differences. Our products, services, and culture benefit from and thrive on the unique perspectives brought by each person in our community. We're proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, age, sex, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, marital status, disability, or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact internalrecruiting@civisanalytics.com
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
EEO IS THE LAW
EEO Supplement
Pay Transparency
Civis embraces the individuality of our employees and we celebrate each other's differences. Our products, services, and culture benefit from and thrive on the unique perspectives brought by each person in our Civis community. We're proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, age, sex, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, marital status, disability, or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact internalrecruiting@civisanalytics.com
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
EEO IS THE LAW
EEO Supplement
Pay Transparency
Employee and Applicant Privacy Notice