ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Consumer Portfolio Services

Be Seen First

Systems Analyst / Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

We are seeking a Systems Analyst / Software Engineer to become an integral part of our team! You ... We purchase retail installment sales contracts primarily from franchised automobile dealerships ...

Eliassen Group

Cyber Digital Forensics Analyst

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$29 - $34/hr

This is a contract to hire opportunity. Applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis ... Serve as the primary liaison for forensic analysis of digital media to identify, reverse engineer ...

Collabera

Cloud Software Engineer II

Ontario, CA · On-site

$61 - $79.25/hr

We are seeking an experienced high-performing software engineer for a contract position in our core software group. The successful candidate will join a highly skilled development team delivering key ...

Actalent

Software Test Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$33 - $35/hr

Software Tester - Level 1 MTS Location: Irvine, CA (100% Onsite) Hourly Rate: $33-$35/hr (Depending ... This is a Contract position based out of Irvine, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Software Reverse Engineer JobsContract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Contract Software Reverse Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$81

$95

$108

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 Riverside, CA is $95.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88.03 and $102.55 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 Riverside, CA? For Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs near you
Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Motorola Solutions

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 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

Job Summary:
Motorola Solutions is a global community focused on safety and security technologies. The Principal Embedded Software Engineer will participate in the development of advanced communications technologies, specifically working on MANET radios and related research projects, with responsibilities including software implementation and system customization.
Responsibilities:
• Implementation of the software portion of MAC (Medium Access Control) and mobile ad-hoc networking routing protocols.
• Network management software and web interface implementation.
• Implementation of different security protocols and encryption algorithms.
• Audio streaming and push-to-talk voice application implementation.
• Analyzing and improving product security and robustness to meet certain regulatory requirements such as NIST FIPS 140-3 and NIAP Common Criteria.
• Implementation of testing software for product performance and reliability testing.
• Device driver and board support package development and maintenance for both ARM and RISC-V based systems.
• Linux system customization and scripting.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or relevant engineering fields.
• 8+ years of relevant embedded system software development experience.
• Expertise in C programming and experience in Linux kernel driver development.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen due to clients under U.S. government contracts.
• All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background check.
Preferred:
• Knowledge of and experience with different security protocols and encryption algorithms such as suite of CNSA algorithms.
• Demonstrated experience with socket programming and various Internet/Ethernet protocols.
• Understanding of MAC and Networking layer of a communication system.
• Experience in AMD UltraScale+ MPSoC and Microchip Polarfire SoC BSP support package development.
• Deep understanding of Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), network protocols, data authentication and encryption.
• Linux Interrupt Service Routine development.
Company:
Motorola Solutions creates mission-critical communication solutions and services for public safety and commercial customers. Founded in 1928, the company is headquartered in Chicago, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

What Motorola Solutions employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Motorola Solutions logo

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

View All Motorola Solutions Jobs

Apply