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Contract Software Reverse Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

STR

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

Woburn, MA

$204K - $284K/yr

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

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

Arlington, VA

$204K - $284K/yr

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

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$204K - $284K/yr

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

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

San Diego, CA

$204K - $284K/yr

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

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

Melbourne, FL · On-site

$204K - $284K/yr

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

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$204K - $284K/yr

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

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

Melbourne, FL

$204K - $284K/yr

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

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$204K - $284K/yr

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 ...

Leidos

Software Reverse Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

Description 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 ...

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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 Jul 11, 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 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.
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Contract Software Reverse Engineer jobs near you
Principal Software Reverse Engineer

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

STR

Woburn, MA

$204K - $284K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

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 of researchers and engineers dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies with significant and immediate impact on our national security. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work at the nexus of computers and real-world physical systems. We believe that each employee has a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that are essential to providing our customers with innovative solutions. The skills listed below are representative of those needed for this role but are not the only acceptable set. If you see an overlap with your skills, go ahead and apply!.

Work must be performed onsite and Active Top Secret (TS) Clearance required.

What you'll do:

  • 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

Who you are:

  • This position requires an Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by the U.S. Government.
  • 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

Nice to haves:

  • 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

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $204,000 - $284,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Carlsbad, CA. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info.


STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at appassist@str.us and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.