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Senior Software Engineer Contract Jobs in Chicago, IL

Civis Analytics

Software Engineer (Contract)

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Virginia Civis is hiring a Software Engineer (Contract) to build and ship high-quality software across the full stack in service of our clients' most important missions. This is a 6-month contract ...

Civis Analytics

Software Engineer (Contract)

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Virginia Civis is hiring a Software Engineer (Contract) to build and ship high-quality software across the full stack in service of our clients' most important missions. This is a 6-month contract ...

IMG LIVE

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$131.25 - $175/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Software Engineer page is loaded## Senior Software Engineerlocations: Remote-CA: Remote-WA: Remote-CO: Remote-NY: Remote-OR(PT)posted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: JR28401## **Senior ...

Inspira Financial

Sr. Software Engineer (Remote)

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$123K - $163K/yr

We are seeking talented Senior Software Engineers who can create complex .NET back-end solutions and scalable user experiences while collaborating with an experienced team of product development ...

Braven

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL

$126K - $166K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Software Engineer Team : Systems Location : Hybrid in Chicago (IL) or Newark (NJ) Employment Type : Full-time FLSA Classification Exempt Start Date : ASAP About Braven Braven is a national ...

Braven

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Software Engineer Team : Systems Location : Hybrid in Chicago (IL) or Newark (NJ) Employment Type : Full-time FLSA Classification Exempt Start Date : ASAP About Braven Braven is a national ...

ULINE

Senior Software Engineer

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$116K - $153K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Software Engineer Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an expert at developing software solutions from start to finish? Then you belong at Uline! Join ...

JR Recruiting

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Chicago, United States | Posted on 07/07/2026 We are seeking a hands-on Senior Software Engineer to ... Define APIs, service boundaries, data contracts, and integration patterns while developing high ...

ULINE

Senior Software Engineer

Glenview, IL

$120K - $159K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Software Engineer Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an expert at developing software solutions from start to finish? Then you belong at Uline! Join ...

Husch Blackwell Llp

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Senior Software Engineer designs, builds, and maintains the technical systems and application infrastructure that power high-quality, human-centered information experiences. This role is ...

Trudell Medical Group

Senior Software Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$121K - $159K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Senior Software Engineer may perform both R&D and sustaining engineering activities to launch new products and drive product line extensions and improvements for both OEM customers and our NTI ...

TXI

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$125K - $165K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, you have an opportunity to build modern, AI-enabled software that solves meaningful business challenges, partner directly with clients to shape products and technical ...

Husch Blackwell LLP

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer designs, builds, and maintains the technical systems and application infrastructure that power high-quality, human-centered information experiences. This role is ...

TXI

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

TXI is seeking a Senior Software Engineer who can see both the forest and the trees. Building the right thing is as hard as building it right. Most products fail because they solve the wrong problem.

TXI

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL

$126K - $166K/yr

TXI is seeking a Senior Software Engineer who can see both the forest and the trees. Building the right thing is as hard as building it right. Most products fail because they solve the wrong problem.

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All JobsSoftware Engineer Contract JobsSenior Software Engineer Contract JobsSenior Software Engineer Contract Jobs in Chicago, IL

Senior Software Engineer Contract information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$77.8K

$147.7K

$197.9K

How much do senior software engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer contract in Chicago, IL is $147,728.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,300.00 and $166,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior software engineer contract?

A Senior Software Engineer Contract refers to a temporary employment agreement where an experienced software engineer is hired for a specific period or project rather than as a permanent employee. These professionals bring advanced technical skills and leadership to design, develop, and maintain complex software systems. Contract roles often focus on delivering specialized expertise, meeting project deadlines, and providing mentorship to junior team members. Compensation and benefits may differ from full-time positions, and contracts can range from a few months to a year or more depending on the project's scope.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior software engineer on a contract basis, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Software Engineer on contract, you need advanced programming skills, a strong understanding of software architecture, and several years of experience, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications. Proficiency with development tools like Git, CI/CD systems, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), and familiarity with Agile methodologies are typically expected. Outstanding problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and adjusting to new projects quickly. These skills and qualities enable contract engineers to deliver high-quality solutions efficiently, integrate smoothly into client environments, and meet project goals within tight timelines.

What are senior software engineer contract jobs?

Senior software engineer contract jobs involve working on software engineering projects on a temporary contract basis. Your duties and responsibilities in this career vary depending on the needs of each client. In general, you utilize your coding skills and computer program knowledge to create software, applications, or operating systems. You typically work with a software company or information technology organization. As a contractor, you work with clients to assess their needs and create or update software or systems to meet the needs of each client.

What are the typical challenges faced by senior software engineers working on contract assignments?

Senior Software Engineers on contract often navigate challenges such as quickly acclimating to new codebases and team cultures, managing time effectively across multiple projects, and balancing client expectations with technical feasibility. Since contracts are temporary, there may be less onboarding support and less time to build deep relationships with permanent team members, making communication skills especially important. However, this environment also allows for exposure to diverse technologies and problem-solving scenarios, which can significantly enhance your expertise and professional network.

What is the difference between Senior Software Engineer Contract vs Software Engineer?

AspectSenior Software Engineer ContractSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, experience, possibly certificationsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentProject-based, temporary contracts, often freelance or consultingFull-time employment, ongoing projects within companies
Employer & Industry UsageTech firms, startups, consulting agenciesTech companies, software development firms, startups
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for contract roles, freelance opportunities, project-based workSeeking permanent positions, career growth, or full-time roles

The main difference between a Senior Software Engineer Contract and a Software Engineer lies in employment type and work setup. Contract roles are temporary, project-focused, and often freelance, while Software Engineers typically work full-time within a company. Both roles require similar technical skills and credentials, but their work arrangements and career paths differ.

More about Senior Software Engineer Contract jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Senior Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Senior Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer Contract jobs in Chicago, IL? For Senior Software Engineer Contract jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer Contract jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer Contract jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Senior Software Engineer Contract jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Senior Software Engineer Contract job openings:
Senior Software Engineer Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer Contract job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $147,728 per year, or $71 per hour.

Software Engineer (Contract)

Civis Analytics

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$90K/yr

Full-time, Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Please note that candidates must currently live in the following states: DC, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont. Virginia

Civis is hiring a Software Engineer (Contract) to build and ship high-quality software across the full stack in service of our clients' most important missions. This is a 6-month contract role for an early-career engineer who is ready to work across the stack. React on the front end, Python/Ruby/Node on the back end, and SQL alongside a team of engineers, designers, and product managers who care deeply about what they build and who they build it for.

Responsibilities

  • Develop high-quality software
  • Support and collaborate with other engineers, data scientists, and product managers
  • Review and debug code
  • Effectively apply Civis best practices methodology and enforces design standards
  • Ensure project documents are complete, current, and archived appropriately
  • Ability to research, prototype and recommend software solutions
  • Collaborate with other teams within the organization
  • Engage the project on an emotional level as well as technical

Minimum Qualifications

  • 1 - 2 years of professional experience as a software developer/engineer
  • Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and experience building and integrating with AI tools such as Claude Code and GitHub Copilot
  • Experience developing user interfaces with modern JavaScript frameworks (specifically React)
  • Experience developing web applications with frameworks such as Rails, Django or NodeJS
  • Experience developing web applications with ReactJS, AngularJS and/or VueJS
  • Comfort working with SQL databases
  • Love of problem-solving
  • An ability and eagerness to constantly learn and teach others
  • Passion for solving large, complex problems for customers

Preferred Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in Computer Science or a related subject
  • Significant experience with one or more of the following:
    • Python, Ruby, and/or Go (golang)
    • Flask
    • Developing AI applications
    • Designing and building APIs
    • Query optimization, database administration, analytics databases, and/or NoSQL
    • Automated software testing and continuous integration
    • Cloud application deployment and monitoring
    • Proficiency working with Amazon Web Services (AWS)
    • Data visualization for the web (using D3 or similar)
    • Statistics and predictive modeling (using tools like pandas, scikit-learn, NumPy, SciPy, R, STATA)
    • Prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), or fine-tuning workflows

Who we are

At Civis, we have opportunities for applicants who are newcomers, seasoned professionals, and anywhere in between. Our teams are energized by complex challenges and value diversity of thought. Opportunities to stand out and inspire happen daily and we trust and encourage you to act on your ideas - no matter how big they are. We offer you the tools and community you need to do your best work. Each of us is committed to holding ourselves accountable for results, challenging the status quo and finding new ways to grow our company and each other.

Why join our team?

  • 6 Month contract term through December 31, 2026
  • Salary: $90,000 annually
  • The opportunity to be part of a growing tech startup focused on solving interesting and meaningful problems, invested in internal promotion, and committed to fostering a diverse, equal and inclusive workplace. 
  • Competitive benefits, including unlimited PTO, 401K match with immediate vesting, health, dental, and vision benefits, paid parental leave, breastfeeding support including breastmilk shipping services for traveling moms, flexible work from home policy, commuter benefits, wellness initiatives including weekly group meditations, monthly on-site massage therapy, and pet insurance.
  • Modern office, conveniently located in the Loop. Close to public transportation, great restaurants and beautiful city views.

Civis Analytics embraces the individuality of our employees and we celebrate each other's differences. Our products, services, and culture benefit from and thrive on the unique perspectives brought by each person in our community. We're proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, age, sex, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, marital status, disability, or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact internalrecruiting@civisanalytics.com

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

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