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Freelance Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Hanzo

Remote US or UK Crawl Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

You will gain exposure to many different web technologies to reverse engineer the design and ... Maintain and enhance existing software (both internal products and our open source projects)

Hanzo

Remote US or UK Crawl Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

You will gain exposure to many different web technologies to reverse engineer the design and ... Maintain and enhance existing software (both internal products and our open source projects)

Hanzo

Remote US or UK Crawl Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

You will gain exposure to many different web technologies to reverse engineer the design and ... Maintain and enhance existing software (both internal products and our open source projects)

Hanzo

Remote US or UK Crawl Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

You will gain exposure to many different web technologies to reverse engineer the design and ... Maintain and enhance existing software (both internal products and our open source projects)

EndoSec LLC

FPGA Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$127K - $164K/yr

Hardware/Software Design: Work closely with other engineers to integrate FPGA designs with ... reverse engineering techniques - Experience with hardware acceleration techniques for ...

EndoSec LLC

FPGA Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$133K - $172K/yr

Hardware/Software Design: Work closely with other engineers to integrate FPGA designs with ... reverse engineering techniques - Experience with hardware acceleration techniques for ...

Timken

Service Center Engineer

Mokena, IL

Measure and reverse engineer non Philadelphia Gear components * Provide calculations for ... Proficiency with SolidWorks 3D drawing software preferred, or other similar CAD design ...

Timken

Service Center Engineer

Mokena, IL

Measure and reverse engineer non Philadelphia Gear components * Provide calculations for ... Proficiency with SolidWorks 3D drawing software preferred, or other similar CAD design software

Helm Tool

Be Seen First

Mold Design Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

Reverse Engineering: Lead reverse engineering projects with inspection, re-designing, and upgrading ... Software Systems: Well versed in the MS Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc)

EndoSec LLC

FPGA Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL

$128K - $164K/yr

Apply Now RTL, C/C++, Python, VHDL, Verilog, Tcl, cryptography, hardware, embedded software, System ... reverse engineering, cocotb, pyuvm Full Time Travel required to 10%. Must be able to apply for and ...

EndoSec LLC

FPGA Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL

$128K - $164K/yr

Apply Now RTL, C/C++, Python, VHDL, Verilog, Tcl, cryptography, hardware, embedded software, System ... reverse engineering, cocotb, pyuvm Full Time Travel required to 10%. Must be able to apply for and ...

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All JobsFreelance Software Reverse Engineer JobsFreelance Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Freelance Software Reverse Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$15

$49

$136

How much do freelance software reverse engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance software reverse engineer in Chicago, IL is $49.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.00 and $63.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are freelance software reverse engineers?

Freelance software reverse engineers are independent professionals who analyze and deconstruct software to understand its inner workings, functionality, and design. They often work on projects like software debugging, security analysis, compatibility research, or recovering lost source code. Unlike in-house engineers, freelancers take on contract-based assignments for different clients rather than working for a single employer. Their work often requires advanced technical skills and a thorough knowledge of programming, operating systems, and software architectures. This role can be essential for organizations seeking to improve software security, ensure compliance, or maintain legacy systems.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance software reverse engineers when working with clients?

Freelance software reverse engineers often encounter challenges such as incomplete or unclear project requirements, which can make it difficult to determine the exact scope of work. Additionally, working with obfuscated or poorly documented code can slow progress and require creative problem-solving. Communication is key, as clients may not always understand the technical complexities involved, so setting realistic expectations and providing regular updates is essential. Freelancers must also stay current with evolving tools and legal considerations, especially when handling proprietary or protected software.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Software Reverse Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of programming languages, binary analysis, operating system internals, and a strong background in computer science or related fields. Expertise with technical tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg, Wireshark, and proficiency in using debuggers and disassemblers is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication with clients are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for efficiently deconstructing software, understanding its functionality, and delivering actionable insights or solutions for clients.

What is the difference between Freelance Software Reverse Engineer vs Freelance Malware Analyst?

AspectFreelance Software Reverse EngineerFreelance Malware Analyst
CredentialsKnowledge of programming, debugging, and reverse engineering toolsKnowledge of malware behavior, analysis tools, and cybersecurity principles
Work EnvironmentRemote, project-based, often collaborating with security teams or clientsRemote, focused on analyzing malicious code and threats for clients or security firms
Industry UsageSoftware development, cybersecurity, security consultingCybersecurity, threat intelligence, incident response
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for skills in reverse engineering and software analysisCompared for expertise in malware detection and cybersecurity threats

While both roles involve analyzing software, Freelance Software Reverse Engineers focus on understanding and deconstructing software code, whereas Freelance Malware Analysts specialize in identifying and mitigating malicious threats. The two roles often overlap but serve distinct purposes in cybersecurity and software development.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Freelance Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Software Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Freelance Software Reverse Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Freelance Software Reverse Engineer job openings:
Freelance Software Reverse Engineer jobs near you
Remote US or UK Crawl Engineer

Remote US or UK Crawl Engineer

Hanzo

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Hanzo is a fast-growing, innovative company committed to reaching its business objectives. We're seeking a Senior Crawl Engineer to be part of our professional services team. This role reports directly to our Sr, Manager Professional Services. This role can be based in US or UK and 100% remote opportunity.
Role Overview:
Hanzo has implemented the entire technology stack required to capture and archive the modern web with a sophisticated crawler at its core. This job is at the heart of crawler operations: to configure and manage crawls, process archived data, and interact with customers. You will gain exposure to many different web technologies to reverse engineer the design and implementation to support efficient and effective web archiving. Expected to support customers from all operational requirements in support of crawl engineering team.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Run crawler operations, including configuring crawls, developing custom crawler code, diagnosing and resolving issues
  • Work within our process which includes monitoring SLAs, updating our issue tracking system
  • Translate feedback from customers and operations into software development to enhance our product and service offerings
  • Maintain and enhance existing software (both internal products and our open source projects)
  • Communicate systematically and at the right time
  • Work proactively, enthusiastically seeking problems in the software and systems and finding solutions
  • Be responsible for completing time-critical day-to-day tasks
  • Support Junior Crawl Engineers with day-to-day tasks
  • Solve problems independently and as a team

Qualifications & Requirements:
  • 2-4 years of experience in a software dev/ops production environment
  • 2-4 years of experience coding with Python and Javascript
  • Ability to write quality code
  • Willing to firefight
  • Understand and work with other people's code
  • Solve technical and operational problems
  • Unix / Linux, including scripting with tools like grep, find and awk
  • In depth understanding of HTTP and web
  • Professional written communications
  • Responsible and self-motivated
  • Eager to learn, teach, and solve problems

Hanzo is committed to fostering a collaborative, high-energy culture where sales excellence drives company success. If you thrive in fast-paced environments and have a passion for revenue growth, we'd love to hear from you!

Apply