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Freelance Backend Developer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

AKQA

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · Remote

$3.0K - $3.2K/wk

We are seeking a Freelance Senior Software Engineer to support a forward-thinking investment group building a sophisticated, fintech-adjacent digital platform. This is not a generic backend ...

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Freelance Backend Developer information

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$12

$59

$87

How much do freelance backend developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance backend developer in Silver Spring, MD is $59.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.94 and $70.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Freelance Backend Developer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Backend Developer, you should have strong proficiency in server-side programming languages (such as Python, Java, or Node.js), database management, and API integration, ideally backed by a relevant degree or professional experience. Mastery of frameworks like Django, Spring, or Express, familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and knowledge of version control systems such as Git are commonly required; certifications in cloud computing or database administration can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, self-motivation, and effective remote communication skills help freelancers manage projects and collaborate with diverse clients. These abilities are essential for delivering reliable backend solutions, maintaining client satisfaction, and building a successful freelance career.

What is a Freelance Backend Developer job?

A Freelance Backend Developer is a self-employed professional who builds and maintains server-side applications, databases, and APIs that power websites and applications. They work with technologies like Node.js, Python, PHP, or Java to ensure efficient data processing and backend functionality. Typically, they collaborate with frontend developers, designers, and clients on a project basis. Their responsibilities include optimizing performance, managing security, and integrating third-party services.

What are some typical challenges freelance backend developers face, and how can they overcome them?

Freelance backend developers often encounter challenges such as managing multiple projects simultaneously, inconsistent workloads, and communicating requirements with clients who may have varying technical backgrounds. To overcome these hurdles, strong organizational skills, clear documentation, and proactive communication are vital. Many freelancers use project management tools and set clear milestones or deliverables to keep both themselves and clients on track. Additionally, staying updated with the latest backend technologies and best practices can help you deliver high-quality, competitive solutions. Building a reliable reputation and professional network also aids in securing steady freelance opportunities.

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Senior Software Engineer

Senior Software Engineer

AKQA

Washington, DC • Remote

$3.0K - $3.2K/wk

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

At AKQA (part of WPP), we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Senior Software Engineers at AKQA are inspired by technology and driven by a passion for creating innovative, well-crafted solutions. They thrive in highly skilled, opinionated teams where ideas are exchanged openly and executed with discipline and care. They bring strong product instincts to their work, taking genuine ownership of outcomes rather than just executing tasks, and they consistently look for ways to improve both what they build and how they build it.

We are seeking a Freelance Senior Software Engineer to support a forward-thinking investment group building a sophisticated, fintech-adjacent digital platform. This is not a generic backend engagement. You will be working across a modern full-stack TypeScript and Next.js product, contributing to investor-facing interfaces, transactional workflows, admin tooling, and the data integrations that tie it all together. Correctness, security awareness, and architectural clarity matter deeply here, and the ideal candidate brings both the technical depth and the product-minded judgment to deliver with confidence in that kind of environment. This is a remote freelance role from July 1 through December 18, 2026.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

  • Deliver full-stack feature work across a modern TypeScript and Next.js App Router codebase, including server actions, API routes, and service-layer logic
  • Build accessible, responsive, design-system-driven UI in React, bringing the same care and discipline to the front end as to the back end
  • Design and maintain clean service, domain, and persistence boundaries that support a scalable, maintainable, and auditable codebase
  • Work with PostgreSQL via Prisma and Supabase, or bring comparable depth with relational databases and ORMs
  • Implement and maintain authorization-aware data access patterns, with a strong understanding of auth, session management, and security considerations in a regulated or fintech-adjacent context
  • Build and maintain form-heavy transactional workflows using schema validation approaches such as React Hook Form and Zod
  • Integrate with CMS platforms, ideally Contentful, to support content-driven product surfaces
  • Write meaningful tests across unit, component, and integration layers using Vitest or equivalent tooling, with a focus on testing the flows that matter most
  • Work within a CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions and deploy to Vercel, maintaining delivery hygiene and production reliability
  • Bring comfort and prior experience working with regulated workflows, investor portals, admin tooling, or data integrations involving platforms such as Databricks or Azure
  • Collaborate with product, design, and engineering partners to shape solutions, not just implement them

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

  • Strong, production-proven TypeScript and Next.js App Router experience is essential
  • Full-stack capability across both server-side logic and client-side React, with a genuine appreciation for UI craft and accessibility
  • Architecture discipline: you think carefully about boundaries, dependencies, and data flow, and you build systems that are easy to reason about and extend
  • Security and authorization awareness, particularly in contexts where data sensitivity, auditability, and access control are non-negotiable
  • A product-minded engineer who takes ownership of outcomes and brings judgment to prioritization, tradeoffs, and quality
  • Comfortable articulating technical decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical collaborators
  • Thrives when faced with new challenges and consistently looks to improve client deliverables and team practices

Location & Commitment

  • Remote (United States only)
  • July 1, 2026 through December 18, 2026
  • 40 hours/week
  • Expected compensation: $3,000 to $3,200/week

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