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Contract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Archer

VMS Software Engineer

San Jose, CA

$142K - $220K/yr

You aren't afraid to reverse-engineer a protocol or write a custom driver if the standard one fails ... Design software with a safety-first mindset. You anticipate edge cases and write defensive code ...

Youlify

Senior Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$144K - $189K/yr

Reverse engineer what happened, find the pattern, and fix it at the root. Feedback here isn't ... About the role We're looking for a highly skilled software engineer to help build and scale Youlify ...

Robert Half

Software Engineer III - ATI

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$64.25 - $86.25/hr

Who We Are Robert Half is seeking a Senior Software Engineer III - ATI to join our team supporting ... Demonstrates strong skills in reverse engineering and refactoring existing platform code or ...

Robert Half

Software Engineer III - ATI

San Ramon, CA

$64.25 - $86.25/hr

Who We Are Robert Half is seeking a Senior Software Engineer III - ATI to join our team supporting ... Demonstrates strong skills in reverse engineering and refactoring existing platform code or ...

EndoSec LLC

FPGA Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$152K - $195K/yr

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

Rhoda AI

Fleet Response Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

You'll triage incoming faults and alerts, debug across the full stack: hardware, embedded, software ... cause and reverse-engineer unexpected behavior * Comfortable in Linux and the command line, and ...

Winsnow, Inc

Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

... modeling software packages (ProE/Creo, etc.) • Proficient in 3D solid modeling using CAD, ... Experience in reverse engineering can be an added advantage. • SEMI (S2, S8) standards ...

EndoSec LLC

FPGA Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$152K - $196K/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 ...

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All JobsContract Software Reverse Engineer JobsContract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Contract Software Reverse Engineer information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

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$107

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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 Santa Clara, CA is $107.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99.09 and $115.48 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 the most commonly searched types of Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA?

The most popular types of Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA?

For Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:

Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Software Reverse Engineer job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $223,142 per year, or $107.3 per hour.

Software QA Test Development Engineer

Pleasanton, CA • On-site

Protingent
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Protingentexternal

$50 - $60/hr

Contractor

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description


Job Title: Software QA Test Development Engineer
Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Software QA Test Development Engineer with our client located in Pleasanton, CA.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and maintain unit test suites against production embedded C/C++, and drive structural code coverage - statement, branch, and MC/DC where the ASIL requires it - to agreed targets.
  • Develop integration test suites and SiL that verify module interfaces, timing behavior, and error handling across software component boundaries.
  • Build and own qualification test benches - MiL/SiL setups, fault injection, and end-to-end sensor scenarios - including the fixtures, stimulus, and automated pass/fail evaluation.
  • Automate the full test stack in CI/CD so that every merge request runs the right tier of tests and reports coverage, static analysis, and regressions without manual intervention.
  • Author test plans, test cases, and test reports with bidirectional traceability to requirements, and file defect reports another engineer can act on without a meeting.
  • Bring up and maintain lab equipment: JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic and bus analyzers, and CAN/CAN-FD/Automotive Ethernet trace tooling.
  • Triage failures to root cause across software, firmware, and hardware, and drive defects to closure with the owning teams.
  • Support Automotive SPICE assessments and ISO 26262 safety work products, including evidence collection and audit walkthroughs.
  • Support OEM and Tier 1 customer programs through production milestones (A/B/C sample, SOP).

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
  • 3-6 years of experience in software test development, verification, or QA for embedded systems - automotive, robotics, or aerospace
  • Strong Python for test automation and shell scripting, plus working proficiency in C and/or C++ sufficient to read production embedded code and write unit tests against it.
  • Hands-on experience with at least one unit test framework (GoogleTest, CUnit, VectorCAST, Tessy; gcov/lcov, Bullseye) and with structural code coverage measurement.
  • Practical understanding of the V-model and of testing at unit, integration, and qualification levels - including what makes each level distinct.
  • Experience with embedded debug and lab equipment: JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, bus analyzers.
  • Experience with at least one automotive communication protocol - CAN/CAN-FD, LIN, or Automotive Ethernet - and the tooling to trace it.
  • Git, code review, and CI/CD fluency; comfortable owning pipeline jobs, not just consuming them.
  • Clear technical writing - test plans, test cases, and defect reports that another engineer can act on without a meeting.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Direct experience with MISRA C/C++ compliance work and static analysis with Polyspace, Coverity, LDRA, or clang-tidy, cppcheck
  • Experience working with ISO 9001 Quality Management
  • ISO 26262 experience at ASIL B or above, including MC/DC coverage on safety-critical units.
  • SiL bench development with dSPACE, NI VeriStand/TestStand, ETAS LABCAR, or TPT.
  • AUTOSAR (Classic or Adaptive) software architecture and RTE interface testing.
  • Lidar, radar, camera, or other sensor software experience - including point cloud data analysis (PCL, Open3D, NumPy).
  • Real-time operating systems (QNX, AUTOSAR OS, FreeRTOS, Linux with PREEMPT_RT) and timing/latency analysis.
  • Experience supporting OEM or Tier 1 customer programs through production milestones (A/B/C sample, SOP).
  • ISTQB certification, or equivalent formal test qualification

Job Details:
  • Contract: 6-9 months
  • Pay Range: $50-60/hr
  • Location: Pleasanton, CA (Onsite)

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan.
About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation - from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We're passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.
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