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Remote Freelance Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

BAI

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$75K - $95K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Engineer Reports To: Manager, Software Engineering BAI and RMA have come together as ... off, hybrid and remote working models, tuition assistance and the ability to work in a ...

ampliFI Loyalty Solutions

Software Engineer

Naperville, IL · On-site +1

$132K - $147K/yr

Software Engineer for AmpliFI Loyalty Solutions, Naperville, IL. Define the long-term architectural ... remote work is not an option for tax reasons: AL, AK, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME ...

Turnblock.io

Software Engineer Remote (Web3)

Chicago, IL · Remote

$200K - $250K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Engineer Opportunity Our client is on crypto's cutting-edge technology, and we're looking for the right engineers to join them. This is a remote position for any US-based candidate. Our ...

STERIS Corporation

Advanced Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Advanced Software Engineer will work independently on complex technical problems, contribute to ... This is a remote role. Qualified candidates must currently live in the Continental U.S. Preference ...

NINJA HOLDINGS, LLC

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

With offices in Chicago, Miami, and around the world through the power of remote work, we are a ... Job Summary The Software Engineer will be responsible for building new systems, enhancing and ...

NinjaHoldings

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$100K - $150K/yr

With offices in Chicago, Miami, and around the world through the power of remote work, we are a ... Job Summary The Software Engineer will be responsible for building new systems, enhancing and ...

NinjaHoldings

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$100K - $150K/yr

With offices in Chicago, Miami, and around the world through the power of remote work, we are a ... Job Summary The Software Engineer will be responsible for building new systems, enhancing and ...

Civic Canvas

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$105K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a talented Software Engineer to join our engineering team and help design, build ... REMOTE Benefits 401(k) Parental leave Health insurance Paid time off Employee discount Vision ...

Prelim

Software Engineer, Product

Chicago, IL · Remote

$140K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're passionate about solving massive-scale engineering challenges and eager to be part of a fast-paced remote startup culture, we encourage you to apply to join our team today! As a Software ...

Jorie AI

Software Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Our work environment: Remote opportunities Growth advancement opportunities Flexible work ... Software Engineer Job Overview: We are seeking a Python Senior Software Engineers to build and ...

Jorie AI

Software Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Our work environment: Remote opportunities Growth advancement opportunities Flexible work ... Software Engineer Job Overview: We are seeking a Python Senior Software Engineers to build and ...

Morningstar

Principal Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$117K - $123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

Remote work requests will be considered consistent with company's remote work policy. Job ... of software engineering experience in Lead, Principal, Senior, Associate Software Engineer ...

Morningstar, Inc.

Principal Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$117K - $123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

Remote work requests will be considered consistent with company's remote work policy. Job ... of software engineering experience in Lead, Principal, Senior, Associate Software Engineer ...

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All JobsSoftware Engineer JobsRemote Freelance Software Engineer JobsRemote Freelance Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Remote Freelance Software Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$65.4K

$152K

$211.7K

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

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote freelance software engineer in Chicago, IL is $151,971.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,600.00 and $178,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote freelance software engineer?

A Remote Freelance Software Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, and maintains software applications while working independently from a location outside of a traditional office, often from home or any place with internet access. They typically work on a contract or project basis for various clients, rather than being a permanent employee of a single company. This role requires strong technical skills, self-motivation, and the ability to communicate effectively with clients and teams remotely. Remote freelance software engineers often manage their own schedules, choose their projects, and handle their own business operations such as invoicing and taxes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote freelance software engineer?

To thrive as a Remote Freelance Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, a solid understanding of software development principles, and often a relevant degree or portfolio of work. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, popular frameworks (such as React, Django, or Node.js), and project management tools (like Jira or Trello) is essential. Excellent self-motivation, time management, and clear written communication skills distinguish top performers in remote settings. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality software independently, meeting client expectations, and succeeding in a distributed work environment.

How do remote freelance software engineers typically manage communication and collaboration with clients and team members across different time zones?

Remote Freelance Software Engineers often work with clients and teams located in various parts of the world, which requires strong communication and time management skills. They typically use collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, and project management platforms like Jira or Trello to stay connected and update progress. It's common practice to establish clear expectations regarding availability, response times, and meeting schedules to accommodate time zone differences. Proactively sharing updates and being flexible with meeting times can help maintain effective collaboration and build trust with clients and colleagues.

What is the difference between Remote Freelance Software Engineer vs Remote Software Developer?

AspectRemote Freelance Software EngineerRemote Software Developer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in computer science or related field, plus portfolio or experienceOften requires similar credentials, including degrees and coding experience
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, often self-managedUsually employed by a company or organization, but can also be freelance
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance platforms, consulting firms, startupsTech companies, startups, corporate IT teams
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for independent, project-based rolesSeeking full-time or contract development roles within organizations

The main difference is that a Remote Freelance Software Engineer works independently on various projects, often through freelance platforms, while a Remote Software Developer is typically employed by a company, working as part of a team. Both roles require similar skills and credentials, but their work environments and employment types differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Remote Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Remote Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Remote Freelance Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Remote Freelance Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Freelance Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Freelance Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Remote Freelance Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Remote Freelance Software Engineer job openings:

Remote Freelance Software Engineer jobs near you

AI Software Engineer Expert - Remote

YO AI Labs

Chicago, IL • Remote

$100 - $200/hr

Part-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Job Title: AI Software Engineering Domain Remote

Job Type: Contractor (Part-Time)
Location: Remote

Job Overview

We are seeking experienced AI Software Engineering Domain Experts to contribute their technical expertise to an innovative project focused on improving next-generation AI systems. In this role, you will evaluate, review, and refine AI-generated software engineering content to enhance the quality, accuracy, and reasoning of AI models. No prior AI experience is required—your software engineering expertise is what matters most.

Key Responsibilities
  • Analyze, review, and improve AI-generated software engineering content for technical accuracy and clarity.
  • Create, refine, and evaluate prompts to improve AI-generated technical outputs.
  • Conduct rubric-based evaluations of AI model responses, providing detailed quality feedback.
  • Draft and edit technical documentation, architecture documents, RFCs, design specifications, and engineering proposals.
  • Perform independent research and fact-checking to validate technical information.
  • Interpret and annotate technical data to support AI model training and evaluation.
  • Collaborate remotely with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality project outcomes.
Required Skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Reasoning
  • Quality Assurance
  • Prompt Engineering
  • AI Output Evaluation
  • Technical Documentation
  • Technical & Professional Writing
  • Content Review & Editing
  • Data Annotation
  • Fact Checking
  • Independent Research
  • Business Communication
  • Problem-Solving
  • Attention to Detail
Preferred Qualifications
  • 3+ years of professional experience as a Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, Staff Engineer, Technical Lead, Engineering Manager, Solutions Architect, or similar role.
  • Experience authoring or reviewing technical documentation, architecture documents, RFCs, design specifications, engineering proposals, postmortems, technical blogs, or code reviews.
  • Strong critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and structured problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written communication and technical editing abilities.
  • Experience with AI coding tools or automated documentation tools is a plus but not required.
  • Advanced degree (Master's, MBA, JD, or PhD) or equivalent professional experience is preferred.