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Contract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Strong expertise in reverse engineering, debugging, and secure software development practices. * Demonstrated ability to reproduce, analyze, and assess the exploitability of complex vulnerabilities ...

... software engineering experience with deep expertise in JavaScript and substantial experience in ... and HTTP/2 semantics, reverse proxying, and designing for concurrent versioned rollouts

Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$130K - $145K/yr

... software engineering experience with deep expertise in JavaScript and substantial experience in ... and HTTP/2 semantics, reverse proxying, and designing for concurrent versioned rollouts

Showing results 41-60

Contract Software Reverse Engineer information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$91

$107

$121

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

As of Sep 12, 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:

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.

Security Engineering Manager, Silicon Software

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Google
Software Development • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Google rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Minimum qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
  • 8 years of experience with penetration testing, vulnerability research, or code-level security auditing.
  • 8 years of coding experience in one or more general purpose languages (e.g., C, C , Python, Rust).
  • 3 years of experience leading teams in a technical capacity or leading technical risk analysis in an enterprise environment.
  • Experience in people management.

Preferred qualifications:
  • Master's/PhD in Computer Science or a related technical field.
  • Experience with security assessments or security design reviews or threat modeling.
  • Experience in reverse engineering, static analysis or dynamic analysis (Fuzzing) and exploit development.
  • Experience with security reviews, penetration testing, vulnerability analysis, finding and fixing security issues, etc.
  • Knowledge of security engineering, computer and network security, authentication, security protocols, and applied cryptography.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.

About the job
Our Security team works to create and maintain the safest operating environment for Google's users and developers. Security Engineers work with network equipment and actively monitor our systems for attacks and intrusions. In this role, you will also work with software engineers to proactively identify and fix security flaws and vulnerabilities.
In this role, you will manage a team of security engineers and review software stacks for custom hardware, perform threat assessment and identify vulnerabilities at architecture, microarchitecture, or implementation level. You will work in partnership with development and product teams to ensure the security of the Tensor SoC and Pixel smartphones.Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our team combines the best of Google AI, Software, and Hardware to create radically helpful experiences. We research, design, and develop new technologies and hardware to make computing faster, seamless, and more powerful. We aim to make people's lives better through technology.Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) 20% bonus target equity benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google .
Responsibilities
  • Conduct offensive security assessments, vulnerability research, and penetration testing across Tensor SoC firmware and software stacks.
  • Perform architecture and implementation-level threat modeling, design reviews, and security audits.
  • Develop automated testing tools, fuzzers, and exploits to identify and validate hardware and software vulnerabilities.
  • Partner cross-functionally with hardware, software, and product teams to design robust mitigation strategies and drive security best practices.
  • Lead and support a team of software security engineers through technical guidance, task assignment, and professional development.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google's Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy .
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .
If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .
Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.
To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees, or any other organization location. Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.

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