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Contract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Palatine, IL

You will gain exposure to many different web technologies to reverse engineer the design and ... Maintain and enhance existing software (both internal products and our open source projects)

You will gain exposure to many different web technologies to reverse engineer the design and ... Maintain and enhance existing software (both internal products and our open source projects)

You will gain exposure to many different web technologies to reverse engineer the design and ... Maintain and enhance existing software (both internal products and our open source projects)

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 ...

Be Seen First

Mold Design Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

Reverse Engineering: Lead reverse engineering projects with inspection, re-designing, and upgrading ... Software Systems: Well versed in the MS Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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Contract Software Reverse Engineer information

See Palatine, IL salary details

$78

$91

$104

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 Palatine, IL is $91.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84.81 and $98.80 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 popular job titles related to Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Palatine, IL? For Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Palatine, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Palatine, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Palatine, IL are:
What cities near Palatine, IL are hiring for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs? Cities near Palatine, IL with the most Contract Software Reverse Engineer job openings:
Senior Cyber Embedded Software Engineer

Senior Cyber Embedded Software Engineer

Motorola

Schaumburg, IL • On-site

$121K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago


Motorola Solutions rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 142 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Company Overview

At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with our people. We're a global close-knit community, united by the relentless pursuit to help keep people safer everywhere. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions foster the collaboration that's critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses, and ultimately, safer nations. Connect with a career that matters, and help us build a safer future.


Department OverviewOur Applied Technology organization puts some of Motorola Solutions' brightest minds on unique, highly challenging projects. Based on decades of experience with our customers, we apply leading-edge technologies to support security and safety throughout the world. We engineer our products from start to finish and manufacture them in-house. We're known for low volume and high capability with focused specialization in areas including software-defined radios, advanced antenna solutions, artificial intelligence and machine learning, reverse engineering, cybersecurity, signals intelligence and more. We can't tell you much more about what we do, but we can tell you it's amazing.
Job Description

Ideal candidates for this position are software engineers with strong knowledge and hands-on experience in embedded systems, telecommunications protocols, reverse engineering, and cybersecurity. We are seeking an experienced professional capable of working in the full spectrum of computer-network operations to architect, design, and implement secure embedded systems.
You will be a member of a small multi-disciplinary team, and will be responsible for performing vulnerability analysis of existing systems, developing source and binary patches, and developing new secure systems.
In this role, you will also be asked to discover how technologies and software work through a combination of hands-on experimentation, static analysis, and document research. You will have an understanding of how hardware and software interact in microprocessors at the register level; have a firm grasp on network protocol and security standards; imagine unique and novel solutions to hard and unsolved problems. You will use this knowledge to develop proofs-of-concept, requirements, designs, implementations, testing procedures for new products, and write whitepapers to win new business.
You must be a flexible, results-oriented problem-solver who requires minimal supervision. Projects can vary greatly from one to the next, so you must thrive on variety and enjoy taking on new challenges.

Specific Skills/Knowledge:

  • Experience with disassembly tools (e.g Ghidra, IDA Pro, and Radare2) and debug tools (e.g GDB and JTAG)

  • Experience using Wireshark for packet analysis

  • Understanding of executable file formats (ELF, PE, or similar), linkers, compilers

  • Preferred familiarity with OSI model layer three and higher networking protocols (IP, TCP, UDP, TLS, SIP, SRTP)

  • Preferred experience reading, writing, analyzing at least one of ARM, MIPS, PPC, x86 assembly

  • Familiarity with security principles such as data separation, side-channel attacks, least-privilege, access controls, encryption protocols, keys exchanges, and can advise others on their proper implementation

  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

  • Excellent understanding of real-time embedded software design and be proficient in Linux, C, C++, Python and other software languages and operating systems.

  • Active TS/SCI clearance preferred.

#AppliedTech #LI-JM2 #LI-ONSITE


Basic Requirements
  • Bachelor's (BS) or Master's (MS) degree, preferably in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or Computer Science

  • Experience programming in C, C++, Python

  • Must be aU.S. citizenwith ability to obtain necessary security clearance as required by government contract. Some contracts may have higher-level clearance requirements.


Travel RequirementsUnder 10%
Relocation ProvidedNone
Position TypeExperienced
Referral Payment PlanYes

Our U.S.Benefitsinclude:

  • Incentive Bonus Plans

  • Medical, Dental, Visionbenefits

  • 401K with Company Match

  • 10 Paid Holidays

  • GenerousPaidTime Off Packages

  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan

  • PaidParental & Family Leave

  • and more!


EEO Statement

Motorola Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally-protected characteristic.

We are proud of our people-first and community-focused culture, empowering every Motorolan to be their most authentic self and to do their best work to deliver on the promise of a safer world. If you'd like to join our team but feel that you don't quite meet all of the preferred skills, we'd still love to hear why you think you'd be a great addition to our team.

We're committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruiting experience for candidates with disabilities, or other physical or mental health conditions. To request an accommodation, please complete thisReasonable Accommodations Formso we can assist you.


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About Motorola Solutions

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with safety. It's the constant that empowers people to confidently move forward. It can fill a flight or sell out a stadium. It can care for a patient or graduate a class. As a global leader in public safety and enterprise security, we create and connect the technologies that help to keep people safe where they live, learn, work and play. Our integrated technology ecosystem unifies critical communications, video security and access control, and command center software, enabling collaboration in more powerful ways. At Motorola Solutions, we're ushering in a new era in public safety and security. Bring your passion, potential and talents to a career that matters.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1928