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Freelance Software Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Bumble Inc.

Localisation Project Manager

Austin, TX · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

... freelancers, and localisation partners to support global experiences for our users. This is a hands ... Partner with teams across Product, Content Design, Marketing, and Engineering to understand ...

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Freelance Software Engineer information

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$23.8K

$103.9K

$187.3K

How much do freelance software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance software engineer in Austin, TX is $103,941.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,400.00 and $118,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, proficiency in relevant languages (such as Python, JavaScript, or Java), and a good understanding of software development methodologies. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, cloud platforms, and project management tools is highly beneficial, along with a portfolio or certifications to demonstrate expertise. Excellent communication, time management, and self-motivation are critical soft skills for managing client relationships and project deadlines independently. These competencies are essential for delivering high-quality work, maintaining client trust, and sustaining a successful freelance business.

What does a freelance software engineer do?

Freelance software engineers design and develop applications for clients on a short- or long-term contract basis. In this role, your job duties may include coordinating with systems analysts and programmers to determine the scope of the project, developing new or modifying existing software according to your client's needs and expectations, and analyzing computer specifications and layouts to build a better system. You also troubleshoot and update the application when necessary. Freelance software engineers may work remotely from home or they may occasionally travel to their client’s office to perform job duties. You may work primarily with one client at a time, or you may choose to contract with many different clients.

How much do freelance software engineers make?

Freelance software engineers' earnings vary widely based on experience, skills, project complexity, and client. On average, they can charge hourly rates from $50 to over $150, with annual income ranging from $50,000 to over $150,000 depending on workload and reputation.

How do freelance software engineers typically manage client communication and project expectations?

Freelance software engineers usually handle client communication directly, which means clear and regular updates are crucial for building trust and ensuring project success. Setting expectations early—such as deliverables, timelines, and feedback processes—helps prevent misunderstandings and scope creep. Many freelancers use project management tools, structured status reports, and scheduled check-ins to keep projects on track. Balancing multiple clients can be challenging, so effective time management and proactive communication are key to maintaining client satisfaction and repeat business.

What is a freelance software engineer?

A freelance software engineer is an independent professional who offers software development services to clients on a contract or project basis, rather than being a full-time employee at a company. They may work on a variety of projects, such as building websites, creating apps, or developing custom software solutions. Freelance software engineers typically manage their own schedules, seek out clients, and are responsible for handling business operations like billing and taxes. This flexible career path allows them to work with different clients and industries, often remotely or from any location.
More about Freelance Software Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in Austin, TX?

The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

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For Freelance Software Engineer jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Freelance Software Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

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Cities near Austin, TX with the most Freelance Software Engineer job openings:

Freelance Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Software Engineer job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,941 per year, or $50 per hour.

Freelance Data Scraping Engineer (Python)

Mindrift

Austin, TX • Remote

$37/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Mindrift is looking for highly skilled Web Scraping specialists to join the Tendem project (https://tendem.ai/) and drive specialized data scraping workflows for real-world use cases.

Mindrift is looking for highly skilled Python Data Scraping Engineers to join the Tendem project and drive specialized data scraping workflows for real-world applications.

In this role, you'll apply your expertise in web scraping, data extraction, and data processing to deliver accurate, reliable, and high-quality results. This part-time remote opportunity is ideal for technical professionals with hands-on experience in web scraping, data extraction, and processing.

What We Do 

The Mindrift platform connects specialists with innovative technology projects. Our mission is to help develop high-quality AI technologies by combining real-world expertise from professionals across the globe with advanced AI development efforts.

About the Role

This is a freelance role for a Tendem project. As a Python Data Scraping Engineer, you'll handle data scraping tasks requiring technical precision for web extraction and processing, utilizing tools such as Apify, OpenRouter, and other technologies, alongside your own technical expertise and approaches. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end data extraction workflows across complex websites, ensuring complete coverage, accuracy, and reliable delivery of structured datasets.
  • Leverage available tools and custom workflows to accelerate data collection, validation, and task execution while meeting defined requirements.
  • Ensure reliable extraction from dynamic and interactive web sources, adapting approaches as needed to handle JavaScript-rendered content and changing site behavior.
  • Enforce data quality standards through validation checks, cross-source consistency controls, adherence to formatting specifications, and systematic verification prior to delivery.
  • Scale scraping operations for large datasets using efficient batching or parallelization, monitor failures, and maintain stability against minor site structure changes.

Educational qualifications

  • At least 3+ years of relevant experience in data engineering, web scraping, automation, or software development (required).
  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related technical fields is a plus.

Academic and/or Professional Experience

Candidates should have a strong technical foundation and practical experience with scripting, automation, and data extraction workflows. We are looking for specialists who can solve non-trivial problems, work confidently with modern web technologies and data processing tools, and systematically collect, structure, and validate data from diverse sources. A methodical, detail-oriented approach and the ability to work independently are essential.

Technical Skills (Essential)

  • Strong experience in Python web scraping (BeautifulSoup, Selenium or similar), including dynamic content (JS, AJAX, infinite scroll) and APIs via proxies
  • Proven ability to extract data from complex structures (hierarchies, archived pages, inconsistent HTML)
  • Solid background in data cleaning, normalization, and validation, delivering structured datasets (CSV, JSON, Google Sheets)

Additional requirements

  • Hands-on experience with LLMs and AI frameworks to enhance automation and problem-solving
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
  • Self-directed work ethic with ability to troubleshoot independently
  • A link to GitHub is a plus
  • English proficiency: Upper-intermediate (B2) or above (required)

Project time expectations 

For this project, tasks are estimated to require around 10-20 hours per week during active phases, based on project requirements. This is an estimate, not a guaranteed workload, and applies only while the project is active.

Compensation 

On this project, contributors can earn up to $37 per hour equivalent, depending on their level and pace of contribution.

Compensation varies across projects depending on scope, complexity, and required expertise. Please note that other projects on the platform may offer different earning levels based on their requirements.

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