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Freelance Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Step

Senior Web Software Engineer

About Step We stand for the side hustlers, the creators, the freelancers, and the investors. We are ... The role Step is looking for a Senior Web Software Engineer. What you'll do * Build and maintain ...

Nokia

Software Engineering Coop

Sunnyvale, CA

Position: Software Engineering Co op Number of Position(s): 1 Duration: 4 months Date: Sept-Dec ... freelance work). * Exposure to real-world applications of AI in industry or academia. You Will:

SysMind Tech

US Sogeti | US Sogeti

Westerville, OH · On-site

D * Can we use Freelancer? : No * Named Job Posting? (if Yes - needs to be approved by SCSC) : No * Remote work possibility : (No Value) * Global Role Family : 6504 Developer / Software Engineer

Arcanium.io

You will work on projects ranging from greenfield 1 person MVPs to teams of 4-5 engineers following best practices. This is a long term freelance/contract position. We hope to develop a long ...

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How much do freelance software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance 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 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 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.
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Freelance Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,863 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Senior Python Data Scraping Engineer (Freelance)

Mindrift

Queens, NY • Remote

$45/hr

Part-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Mindrift is looking for highly skilled Senior Python Data Scraping Engineers to join the Tendem project and drive specialized data scraping workflows within our hybrid AI + human system.

In this role, as an AI Pilot - that's how we refer to this role at Mindrift - you'll collaborate with Tendem Agents that handle repetitive tasks, while you provide critical thinking, domain expertise, and quality control to deliver accurate and actionable 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 AI projects from major tech innovators. Our mission is to unlock the potential of Generative AI by tapping into real-world expertise from across the globe.

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

Key Responsibilities:

  • Own end-to-end data extraction workflows across complex websites, ensuring complete coverage, accuracy, and reliable delivery of structured datasets.
  • Leverage internal tools (Apify, OpenRouter) alongside 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.

Requirements:

  • At least 5+ 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.
  • Candidates should have a strong technical foundation and practical experience with scripting, automation, and AI-assisted workflows. We are looking for specialists who can solve non-trivial problems, work confidently with LLMs, and systematically collect, structure, and validate data from diverse sources. A methodical, detail-oriented approach and the ability to work independently are 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)
  • Demonstrated experience handling anti-bot mechanisms and dynamic site structures at scale
  • Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS or equivalent) and containerization (Docker) as part of real workflows
  • Hands-on experience with LLM frameworks (LangChain, OpenRouter, or similar) applied to automation tasks
  • 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 $45 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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