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Freelance Graduate Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Salary Range: $100,000 to $130,000 Requirements * 0-3 years of professional software engineering experience, or equivalent experience through internships, open source work, freelance work, or ...

Software Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Salary Range: $100,000 to $130,000 Requirements * 0-3 years of professional software engineering experience, or equivalent experience through internships, open source work, freelance work, or ...

Salary Range: $100,000 to $130,000 Requirements * 0-3 years of professional software engineering experience, or equivalent experience through internships, open source work, freelance work, or ...

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious projects on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. As a software engineer on the SpaceX team, you ...

... graduate courses. Additional information regarding the benefit package can be found at the following link. If the Software Engineering role sounds like a fit for your background and career goals, we ...

The company's Integrated Mission Systems is seeking an experienced Software Engineer with a strong ... Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum ...

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What You Do We're looking for experienced Software Engineers to help us build high-quality ... Freelance? If you feel confident in your knowledge of mobile development and have experience ...

Apply Early

What You Do We're looking for experienced Software Engineers to help us build high-quality ... Freelance? If you feel confident in your knowledge of mobile development and have experience ...

What You Do We're looking for experienced Software Engineers to help us build high-quality ... Freelance? If you feel confident in your knowledge of mobile development and have experience ...

Responsibilities include: * ruby/rails * server side software engineering practices * HTML/CSS/JS ... a college graduate with a computer science degree * experienced in mostly startups or small ...

R&D Software Engineer 37412257 * Hourly pay: $55/hr * Worksite: Leading electronic testing company ... Undergraduate or Graduate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering ...

R&D Software Engineer 37412257 * Hourly pay: $55/hr * Worksite: Leading electronic testing company ... Undergraduate or Graduate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering ...

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Freelance Graduate Software Engineer information

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$24K

$104.9K

$189K

How much do freelance graduate software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance graduate software engineer in the United States is $104,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Graduate Software Engineer vs Junior Software Developer?

AspectFreelance Graduate Software EngineerJunior Software Developer
CredentialsTypically recent graduates or those with basic coding skillsEntry-level professionals with foundational knowledge
Work EnvironmentSelf-employed, project-based, remote or freelanceFull-time or part-time employment in a company or team
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance platforms, startups, tech companiesSoftware firms, tech departments, corporate environments

The main difference is that a Freelance Graduate Software Engineer works independently on various projects, often remotely, and manages their own clients. In contrast, a Junior Software Developer is typically employed by a company, working within a team on ongoing projects. Both roles require basic coding skills, but the freelance role offers more flexibility and self-direction, while the junior role provides structured training and team collaboration.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance graduate software engineers when starting out, and how can they overcome them?

Freelance graduate software engineers often face challenges such as building a client base, managing multiple projects, and adapting to varying client expectations. It's common to feel overwhelmed by the need to market oneself while maintaining high coding standards. To overcome these challenges, many new freelancers focus on networking, maintaining an up-to-date portfolio, and improving time-management skills. Joining professional communities and seeking mentorship can also provide support and open doors to project opportunities.

What is a freelance graduate software engineer?

A freelance graduate software engineer is an individual who has recently completed a degree in software engineering, computer science, or a related field and works independently on a contract or project basis. Instead of being employed full-time by a single company, they offer their programming and software development skills to various clients. This role allows for flexibility in choosing projects and clients, but also requires self-management, networking, and business skills. Freelance graduate software engineers may work on web development, app creation, debugging, or contributing to larger software projects. This path is ideal for those seeking diverse experience and the ability to set their own work schedule.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Graduate Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Graduate Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, a relevant degree in computer science or engineering, and a foundational understanding of software development principles. Familiarity with popular programming languages, version control systems like Git, and basic project management or collaboration tools is typically expected. Excellent problem-solving, effective communication, and time management skills help you deliver quality work and manage client expectations. These abilities are crucial for successfully handling diverse projects, building client relationships, and progressing in a competitive freelance environment.
More about Freelance Graduate Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Graduate Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Graduate Software Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Software Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Graduate Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Graduate Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Graduate Software Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Freelance Graduate Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,863 per year, or $50.4 per hour.
New Graduate Engineer, Software (Starlink)

New Graduate Engineer, Software (Starlink)

SpaceX

Redmond, WA • On-site

$122K - $145K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 60 rated aerospace companies


Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE (STARLINK)
At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink's utility for communities and businesses around the globe.
As arguably SpaceX's most complex software engineering challenge, Starlink offers a variety of areas within software engineering that you can focus. As a Software Engineer on the Starlink program, you will be solving challenges underpinning every aspect of the program's growth. The teams and areas you could have an impact on could include, but are not limited to:
  • Next generation networking technologies to direct data through an ever-changing network of satellites, ground stations, planes and users.
  • Firmware, embedded and controls software running on custom hardware that flies the world's largest fleet of spacecraft.
  • Infrastructure and tools to enable rapid development and reliable deployment of our code to dynamic production environments.
  • Measurement system software and hardware, supporting our in-house RF Silicon designs.
  • Full life cycle development of Starlink.com and our Mobile/Enterprise platforms.
  • Physic based software engineering to design and simulate the orbital life cycle of the Starlink constellation.

Our software engineers are responsible for the complete lifecycle of the software they create, including development, testing, and support. We expect our engineers to close the feedback loop between software design and real-world performance. In this role, your software will have a meaningful and measurable impact on the world.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop highly reliable, real-time software.
  • Participate in and lead architecture, design, and code reviews.
  • Develop prototypes and manage experiments to prove out key design concepts.
  • Collaborate with other engineers, from other engineering disciplines, to plan and organize the development of our products.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or other STEM discipline.
  • Professional development experience in C, C++, Python, C# or another object oriented language (internship experience is applicable).
  • Graduating in the spring, summer, or fall of 2026

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Strong professional/project experience writing software in a production environment.
  • Developed, debugged and deployed software that has been used in real world applications/projects.
  • Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals.
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
  • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
  • Experience with networking protocols (UDP, TCP/IP, etc) and distributed systems.
  • Experience in security issues associated with distributed systems and internet services.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Software Engineer/Level I: $122,500.00 - $145,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k)-retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year. Company shuttles are offered to employees for round trip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
    Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to

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