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Contract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

They are seeking a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who will reverse engineer complex software or firmware, develop innovative cybersecurity solutions, and lead multi-discipline teams to tackle ...

Job Summary : STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This position offers an excellent ...

Software Reverse Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$69.55K - $125.73K/yr

Software Reverse Engineer - Who We Are: Kudu Dynamics is Leidos Owned Company, forged out of a decade of experience in computer network operations and staffed with talent who have built, overseen ...

Software Reverse Engineer - Who We Are Kudu Dynamics is Leidos Owned Company, forged out of a decade of experience in computer network operations and staffed with talent who have built, overseen, and ...

Software Reverse Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$69.55K - $125.73K/yr

Software Reverse Engineer - Who We Are: Kudu Dynamics is Leidos Owned Company, forged out of a decade of experience in computer network operations and staffed with talent who have built, overseen ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

Software Reverse Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$107.90K - $195.05K/yr

Software Reverse Engineer - Who We Are Kudu Dynamics is Leidos Owned Company, forged out of a decade of experience in computer network operations and staffed with talent who have built, overseen, and ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

Software Reverse Engineer - Who We Are: Kudu Dynamics is Leidos Owned Company, forged out of a decade of experience in computer network operations and staffed with talent who have built, overseen ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

Software Reverse Engineer - Aurora, CO

Aurora, CO · On-site

$78.85K - $236.58K/yr

Software Reverse Engineer Aurora, CO Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. ICR has opportunities available for experienced and motivated Software Reverse Engineers. Essential Duties and ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team ...

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Contract Software Reverse Engineer information

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

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract software reverse engineer in the United States is $91.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84.38 and $98.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

More about Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Software Reverse Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Reverse Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Software Reverse Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Contract Software Reverse Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $189,999 per year, or $91.3 per hour.
Principal Software Reverse Engineer

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

STR

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
STR is a growing technology company specializing in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security. They are seeking a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who will reverse engineer complex software or firmware, develop innovative cybersecurity solutions, and lead multi-discipline teams to tackle challenging problems.
Responsibilities:
• Reverse engineering complex software or firmware targets, ranging from typical Windows/Linux binaries to embedded firmware running non-traditional computer architectures and operating systems
• Developing and applying automated reverse engineering and binary analysis tools to characterize protocols, interfaces, and functionality of target systems
• Developing innovative cybersecurity solutions
• Leading multi-discipline teams to tackle challenging problems from a wide variety of technologies to develop innovative cybersecurity solutions
• Performing vulnerability weaponization, exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets
• Technical marketing to existing and potential customers
• Technical proposal development (idea generation, writing, reviewing, editing)
• Documenting, demonstrating, and presenting research
• Solving real world problems that have an impact on national security
Qualifications:
Required:
• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance
• U.S. citizenship
• Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity or related field plus a minimum of 15 years relevant experience (MS or PhD with equivalent work experience may also be considered)
• Substantial experience leading technical teams on advanced reverse engineering and exploitation programs
• Experience with binary analysis of software/firmware
• Experience with disassembly tools, such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra
• Proficiency in multiple Assembly Languages: x86, ARM, etc.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages: C/C++, Python, etc.
• Deep understanding of reverse engineering fundamentals
• Experience in Vulnerability research and analysis
• Knowledge of weaponizing discovered vulnerabilities into exploits
Preferred:
• Implant or software patch development
• Familiarity with binary emulation or vulnerability research, including tools such as QEMU or AFL++
• Experience with DSP architectures, such as Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, NXP, or Analog Devices.
• Knowledge of operating system internals including memory/process/thread management
• Embedded systems or firmware analysis
• Experience development custom emulation tools to enable dynamic analysis
• Disassembler/decompiler module development
• Experience analyzing and reconstructing code/data flow
• Automated reverse engineering or software analysis tool development
• Experience debugging software without source code
• Knowledge of binary file structures and formats
• Experience analyzing protocols or message structures
• Knowledge of anti-reverse engineering techniques
• Knowledge of intrusion detection and anti-malware systems and techniques
Company:
STR is built on people & technology platforms tackling tough problems in cybersecurity, distributed sensing & artificial. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Woburn, USA, with a team of 501-1000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.