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Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering Jobs in Bethesda, MD

Reverse Engineer

Fort George G Meade, MD ยท On-site

$100 - $125/hr

WE ARE HIRING OWNERS Set of X is led by industry veterans who see government contracting as a good ... Reverse engineering experience. * Produce and modify software systems in C/C++/Python. * Provide ...

If you are passionate about reverse engineering and eager to make an impact, we encourage you to ... We are a growing small business and a trusted federal contractor offering full scope consulting ...

If you are passionate about reverse engineering and eager to make an impact, we encourage you to ... We are a growing small business and a trusted federal contractor offering full scope consulting ...

If you are passionate about reverse engineering and eager to make an impact, we encourage you to ... We are a growing small business and a trusted federal contractor offering full scope consulting ...

WE ARE HIRING OWNERS Set of X is led by industry veterans who see government contracting as a good ... Reverse engineering experience. * Produce and modify software systems in C/C++/Python. * Provide ...

Showing results 41-60

Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering information

See Bethesda, MD salary details

$87.8K

$145.9K

$208.7K

How much do independent contractor reverse engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for independent contractor reverse engineering in Bethesda, MD is $145,861.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,300.00 and $190,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an independent contractor reverse engineer?

An Independent Contractor Reverse Engineer is a professional who is hired on a contract basis to analyze and deconstruct products, software, or systems to understand their design, functionality, or to identify vulnerabilities. They use specialized tools and techniques to examine how something works, often with the goal of improving it, ensuring compatibility, or enhancing security. Unlike full-time employees, independent contractors work for themselves and may take on projects from multiple clients. This role is common in industries like software development, electronics, and cybersecurity.

What are some common challenges faced by independent contractors in reverse engineering projects?

Independent contractors in reverse engineering often face challenges such as limited access to original documentation, tight project deadlines, and the need to stay updated on evolving technologies. Working independently requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Contractors must also ensure compliance with legal and ethical guidelines, particularly regarding intellectual property rights, while collaborating with clients and, at times, remote teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an independent contractor in reverse engineering, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Independent Contractor in Reverse Engineering, you need a strong background in computer science, proficiency in assembly language, and experience with software analysis, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like CEH or OSCP. Familiarity with technical tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg, and Hex-Rays is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, analytical thinking, and attention to detail help distinguish top performers in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively analyzing complex software, identifying vulnerabilities, and delivering high-quality findings to clients.

What is the difference between Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering vs Software Developer?

AspectIndependent Contractor Reverse EngineeringSoftware Developer
CredentialsTechnical certifications, reverse engineering coursesComputer science degree, coding certifications
Work EnvironmentFreelance, project-based, often remoteFull-time, office or remote
Industry UsageTech, cybersecurity, patent analysisSoftware companies, tech startups
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

While both roles involve technical skills, Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering focuses on analyzing and understanding existing software or hardware, often on a freelance basis. Software Developers create new software products and applications. The key difference lies in reverse engineering being more investigative and specialized, whereas software development emphasizes building and coding new solutions.

What job categories do people searching Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering jobs in Bethesda, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering jobs in Bethesda, MD are:

What cities near Bethesda, MD are hiring for Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering jobs?

Cities near Bethesda, MD with the most Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering job openings in Bethesda, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,861 per year, or $70.1 per hour.

Application Developer/Reverse Engineer 3 - (Python, Reverse Engineering, Docker)

Akina, Inc.

Fort George G Meade, MD โ€ข On-site

$245K - $299K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop Python applications to automate analysis and operational workflows

  • Reverse engineer network traffic and web applications

  • Work with customers to collect requirements and ensure proper functionality


Job description

Application Developer/Reverse Engineer 3 - (Python, Reverse Engineering, Docker)

Clearance: TS/SCI - Polygraph required
Position ID: 20-18-039-AD3
Location: Fort Meade, Maryland

Description:

You will act as a Software Engineer and Reverse Engineer in order to develop cutting edge security tools in a fast-paced, agile environment. Your work will be delivering on the client’s national security mission, where you will work closely with analysts, data scientists and other software engineers. You will be expected to work largely independently, pursuing opportunities that present themselves from your research, and following up with customer needs. The customer, in CNO’s Alternate Tradecraft Product Group, will provide opportunities to quickly adapt and deploy new security products, allowing your tools to be used within weeks, not years.

  • Develop Python applications to automate analysis and operational workflows
  • Reverse Engineer network traffic and web applications
  • Work with customers to collect requirements and ensure proper functionality
  • Coordinate with team of software developers to incorporate new technologies and leverage shared libraries
  • Manage dataflow and formatting to integrate into client systems

Position Required Skills:

  • Production-grade software development experience in Python.
  • Familiarity with HTTP, HTML, JavaScript, and other common web traffic
  • Experience with Burp Suite, browser developer tools, or Wireshark to monitor network communications
  • Service containerization and deployment with Docker/Kubernetes.
  • Familiarity with Git/Gitlab.
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted code development (Claude Code, Copilot, Cursor, etc.)
  • Atlassian Tools (Jira, Confluence).

Nice to Haves

  • Experience prototyping web applications (JavaScript).
  • Analyzing cyber security-related data sets (network traffic, OS events).
  • Knowledge of end-to-end SIGINT collection and analysis systems.
  • Experience with production CNO capabilities and operations.
  • Experience developing or reverse engineering mobile applications and communications.
  • Capable of designing and manipulating Gitlab CI/CD automated builds

AD3 Qualifications:

Shall have a minimum of a Bachelor of Computer Science or Computer Engineering and a minimum of twelve (12) years of software/system development work experience or a Masters of Computer Science or Computer Engineering with a minimum often (10) years of experience.

Four (4) years of additional SWE experience on projects with similar software processes may be substituted for a bachelor's degree.


Salary Range: $245k-$299k (Annually)

The range displayed above is a likely salary range for this position. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possible contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Akina is a Woman Owned, Service Disabled, Veteran Owned, Small Business, looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join our team. We offer a generous compensation package that includes 24 days PTO accrued annually and 11 federal holidays. Our 401k is 100% vested on your start date and the company makes a direct contribution worth 10% of your salary. Akina covers 100% of healthcare costs for employees and 50% toward dependents. We offer educational assistance towards college classes and will cover costs associated with job related training and certifications.

Akina is committed to excellence and creating innovative and flexible solutions for our clients. We are a small company with an open ear to our employees' needs in order to attract and retain quality talent that enables our customer's mission.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

www.akina-inc.com/careers