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Senior Software Engineer Contract Jobs in Chicago, IL

KeHE Distributors, LLC

Sr Software Engineer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$95K - $140K/yr

Primary Responsibilities The Senior Software Engineer is a highly capable individual contributor who operates with a high degree of autonomy, owns complex technical problems end-to-end, and elevates ...

FleetWorks

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will own end-to-end feature development, collaborate with a high-agency team, and contribute to shaping the future of the company. Responsibilities : • Own end-to ...

Cars Commerce

Sr. Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to enhance existing backend services, troubleshoot and optimize current systems, and build scalable, secure, and reliable API-based backend services that ...

W. W. Grainger

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

About the position As a Senior Software Engineer (Software Engineer III) you will be involved in the full systems life cycle and responsible for designing, coding, configuring, testing, implementing ...

Carefeed

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join Carefeed's engineering team. We're a collaborative group of full-stack engineers responsible for Carefeed's core systems, including our Family ...

Carefeed

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join Carefeed's engineering team. We're a collaborative group of full-stack engineers responsible for Carefeed's core systems, including our Family ...

Carefeed

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join Carefeed's engineering team. We're a collaborative group of full-stack engineers responsible for Carefeed's core systems, including our Family ...

Pampered Chef LTD

Senior Software Engineer

Addison, IL · On-site

$125K - $135K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer who wants to contribute at a high technical level while taking on broader responsibility within the team. This role goes beyond implementing stories. It ...

Ritchie Bros.

Senior Software Engineer

Westchester, IL · On-site

$99K - $123K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Software Engineer responsible for leading technical execution within Product Engineering teams. This role requires implementation of product capabilities with a ...

Ritchie Bros.

Senior Software Engineer

Westchester, IL · On-site +1

$121K - $160K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Software Engineer responsible for leading technical execution within Product Engineering teams. This role requires implementation of product capabilities with a ...

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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 Sep 8, 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 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 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 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 September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,728 per year, or $71 per hour.

Sr Software Engineer

KeHE Distributors, LLC

Naperville, IL • On-site

$95K - $140K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

KeHE Distributors rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 64 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

37th of 49 rated food wholesalers

Job description

Why Work for KeHE?
  • Full-time
  • Pay Range: $95,700.00/Yr. - $140,239.00/Yr.
  • Shift Days: , Shift Time:
  • Benefits on Day 1
    • Health/Rx
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
    • Supplemental life insurance
    • 401(k)
    • Paid time off
    • Paid sick time
    • Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
    • Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
    • Holiday pay for company designated holidays

    Overview
    At KeHE, we're obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others - and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we're committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you'll be embarking on a career that's moving forward. When you join KeHE, you're becoming part of a team that is a force for good.
    Primary Responsibilities
    The Senior Software Engineer is a highly capable individual contributor who operates with a high degree of autonomy, owns complex technical problems end-to-end, and elevates the quality and effectiveness of the entire team without formal people management.
    This role represents the transition from task-based execution to system-level thinking, ownership, and leadership through influence. Senior Engineers are expected to solve ambiguous problems, mentor others, and shape how solutions are designed - not just how they are implemented. The Senior Engineer is expected to have strong proficiency in the team's primary tech stack, solid understanding of system design principle, comfort with APIs, integrations and distributed systems and strong testing, debugging and performance optimization skills.
    Essential Functions
    • Design and implement complex software features and systems, ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable, well-tested, and aligned with architectural and security standards.
    • Own technical solutions end-to-end, from design through implementation, testing, deployment, and operational support, ensuring the long-term health and reliability of the system.
    • Lead technical design discussions and solution planning, evaluating trade-offs and guiding the team toward sound engineering decisions.
    • Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into effective technical solutions that deliver customer value.
    • Use logs, metrics, and analytics to inform engineering decisions, designing systems with observability in mind and continuously improving performance and reliability.
    • Mentor and support other engineers, sharing knowledge, helping onboard new team members, and contributing to the growth of engineering capability across the team.
    • Continuously improve engineering practices and technical capabilities, staying current with emerging technologies, introducing improvements in development patterns, tools, and workflows.

    Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude
    SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
    • Deep proficiency in programming languages, frameworks, and software design patterns, with the ability to architect and implement complex systems.
    • Ability to design scalable, resilient systems and evaluate architectural trade-offs while ensuring adherence to engineering and security standards.
    • Ability to partner effectively with product, design, QA, and engineering teams, clearly communicate technical concepts, and resolve ambiguity in complex initiatives.
    • Ability to leverage metrics, logs, and analytics to evaluate system performance, inform decisions, and design systems with strong observability practices.
    • Ability to guide technical decisions, mentor engineers, support onboarding, and contribute to the development of engineering best practices within the team.

    EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
    • 5+ years of experience in software development, preferably in a product-centric or agile environment.
    • Expertise in modern development stacks (C#, Python, Angular, SQL) and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
    • Proven experience in architecture, platform engineering, and cloud-native solutions.
    • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field preferred or similar coding education alternatives to traditional four-year degrees.
    • Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality software solutions and contribute to team success.
    • Participation in training, certifications, or professional development initiatives is a plus.
    • Experience with modern development tools, version control systems, and CI/CD pipelines is preferred.

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
    • These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

    Requisition ID
    2026-29831
    Equal Employer Opportunity Statement
    KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.

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