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Data Engineer Remote Contract Jobs in Houston, TX

Senior Civil Engineer - Remote Eligible

Houston, TX · On-site +1

$130K - $165K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... to be fully remote or a hybrid work schedule. Our Team As a Koch Engineered Solutions company ... Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The ...

Forensic Structural Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Forensic Structural Engineer - Remote - Houston, TX At NV5, we are a team of talented professionals ... Maintain good project data management/storage practices. * Supervise, when appropriate, junior ...

Remote CONTRACTS COORDINATOR Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA ... sales, and engineering. · Contract Template Management * Manage contract exhibit templates ...

Forensic Structural Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Forensic Structural Engineer - Remote - Houston, TX At NV5, we are a team of talented ... Maintain good project data management/storage practices. * Supervise, when appropriate, junior ...

Showing results 21-40

Data Engineer Remote Contract information

See Houston, TX salary details

$42.5K

$123.9K

$169.5K

How much do data engineer remote contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer remote contract in Houston, TX is $123,876.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,300.00 and $131,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a data engineer remote contract?

A Data Engineer Remote Contract position involves building and maintaining the infrastructure and systems that enable organizations to collect, store, and analyze large amounts of data, all while working remotely. As a contractor, you are typically hired for a specific project or period and are not a permanent employee. This role often includes tasks like designing data pipelines, optimizing database performance, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with data scientists and analysts. Working remotely provides flexibility in location, but contractors are expected to communicate regularly with teams and meet project deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data engineer in a remote contract role?

To thrive as a Data Engineer in a remote contract position, you need strong programming skills (such as Python or Java), deep knowledge of database systems, and a background in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with data pipeline tools (like Apache Airflow), cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and ETL processes, along with relevant certifications, is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving abilities, clear communication, and self-motivation are key soft skills, especially when working independently or with distributed teams. These skills ensure the reliable design, development, and maintenance of scalable data systems, which are critical for organizations to leverage data effectively.

What are some common challenges faced by data engineers working remotely on contract assignments?

Data Engineers working remotely on contract assignments often navigate challenges such as aligning with distributed teams across different time zones, ensuring secure access to sensitive data, and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders. Since contractors may work with diverse tech stacks across projects, adapting quickly to new tools and company-specific data infrastructures is essential. Additionally, balancing multiple deliverables and onboarding efficiently without in-person support requires strong self-management and proactive collaboration skills.

What is the difference between Data Engineer Remote Contract vs Data Analyst Remote Contract?

AspectData Engineer Remote ContractData Analyst Remote Contract
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, Data Engineering certificationsBachelor's in Statistics, Data Analysis certifications
Work EnvironmentRemote, collaborative teams, cloud platformsRemote, reporting and visualization tools
Employer & Industry UsageTech, finance, healthcareMarketing, retail, consulting
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between Data Engineer Remote Contract and Data Analyst Remote Contract lies in their focus and skill sets. Data Engineers build and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure, requiring technical skills in cloud platforms and programming. Data Analysts interpret data, create reports, and visualize insights. Both roles are remote and industry-specific, but they serve different functions within organizations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineer Remote jobs in Houston, TX?

The most popular types of Data Engineer Remote jobs in Houston, TX are:

What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs in Houston, TX?

For Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Data Engineer Remote Contract job openings:

Infographic showing various Data Engineer Remote Contract job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,876 per year, or $59.6 per hour.

Copy of Senior Python Developer (AI Evaluation & Benchmarking)

Lifted, an Upwork Company™

Texas City, TX • Remote

$80 - $100/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Company Description

An enterprise client is seeking experienced Senior Python Developers to help build the next generation of Artificial Intelligence systems. This opportunity support the client who is a leading AI platform that enables organizations to build intelligent applications through high-quality human feedback, AI evaluation, and model alignment.

The selected consultants will contribute to AI research by designing programming benchmarks, evaluating AI-generated code, and helping improve the performance, reasoning, and reliability of frontier AI models. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced software engineers who enjoy solving complex technical problems while contributing to the future of Generative AI.

Job Description

This opportunity is ideal for senior software engineers with strong Python expertise who enjoy writing high-quality code, reviewing technical solutions, and working on AI-related projects.

What You'll Do:

  • Design and develop coding benchmarks used to evaluate frontier AI models.
  • Analyze AI-generated code for correctness, reliability, efficiency, and edge cases.Build and maintain scalable data pipelines that support AI evaluation workflows.
  • Create structured programming scenarios to test reasoning, debugging, and code quality.
  • Work with large codebases and multi-language software environments.
  • Collaborate with teams focused on improving how AI models understand, generate, and evaluate software.
  • Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested Python code following software engineering best practices.
Qualifications

Requirements:

  • 4+ years of professional software engineering experience (required).
  • Expert-level proficiency in Python.
  • Experience working at a high-growth technology company or top-tier software organization.
  • Proficiency in at least one additional programming language such as JavaScript, Go, C++, or similar.
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks such as pytest, Mocha, or JUnit.
  • Strong understanding of software engineering best practices, debugging, and code quality.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Nice to Haves:

  • Experience with AI/ML evaluation, model benchmarking, or Generative AI.
  • Background in security engineering.
  • Significant contributions to open-source software projects.
  • Experience working with large-scale distributed systems or enterprise software platforms.
Additional Information
  • Fully remote contract opportunity.
  • Compensation ranges from $80-$100 USD per hour.
  • Expected workload is 10-39 hours per week, depending on project needs.
  • Weekly payments for approved work completed during the previous week.
  • Work volume may fluctuate throughout the duration of the engagement.

Hiring Process:

  • Submit your proposal.
  • Complete a short qualification form provided by the client.
  • Qualified candidates will receive an Upwork contract offer and onboarding instructions.
  • After accepting the contract, candidates will gain access to the client's evaluation.
  • Candidates who successfully pass the evaluation will be invited to a technical interview with the client.