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Software Developer Contract Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Embedded Software Development Engineer Atego HighRely is currently searching for an Embedded Software Engineer for a 6 month contract position that may be extended. The Software Development Engineer ...

Software Engineer

Ypsilanti, MI · On-site

$86K - $181K/yr

Work closely with DevOps team to deploy new features and maintain system stability. * Write robust ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

Farmington Hills/ Metro Detroit MI (Hybrid) Duration: 7 Months contract Pay Rate: $75/hr on W2 We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to join our AI agentic engineering team. You will design and ...

Software Engineer Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to ... S. citizenship in support of contract requirements. This position also requires the ability to ...

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Software Developer Contract information

See Michigan salary details

$41.8K

$97.5K

$144.7K

How much do software developer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for software developer contract in Michigan is $97,484.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,400.00 and $113,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical work arrangements and expectations for contract Software Developers?

Contract Software Developers are usually hired for specific projects or defined timeframes, which can range from several weeks to multiple months, often working remotely or on-site depending on client needs. They are expected to quickly understand project requirements, deliver code efficiently, and collaborate with both in-house teams and other contractors, maintaining flexibility to adapt to different workflows and tools. Because contract roles may not include the same onboarding experience as permanent positions, self-motivation and strong independent work habits are important. This work arrangement provides valuable exposure to various industries and technologies, often expanding a developer’s professional network and enhancing career versatility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Software Developer Contract position, and why are they important?

A successful Software Developer Contract requires strong programming abilities, solid knowledge of software development methodologies, and relevant project or domain expertise, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with languages like Java, Python, or JavaScript, as well as tools such as Git, Agile frameworks, and certification in areas like AWS or Scrum, is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving skills, adaptability, effective communication, and an ability to quickly integrate into new teams are crucial soft skills. These competencies enable contract developers to deliver high-quality solutions while efficiently navigating diverse projects and rapidly changing work environments.

What is a Software Developer Contract job?

A Software Developer Contract job is a temporary or project-based position where a developer is hired for a specific duration, typically through a contract agreement. Contractors may work independently, for an agency, or directly with a company to develop, test, and maintain software applications. These roles often offer flexibility but may not include benefits like health insurance or paid time off. Contract developers are usually paid hourly or per project and may work remotely or on-site depending on the employer's needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Developer jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Software Developer jobs in Michigan are:
What job categories do people searching Software Developer Contract jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Software Developer Contract jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Software Developer Contract jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Software Developer Contract job openings:
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

TAD PGS, Inc.

Sterling Heights, MI

$125K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

We have an outstanding Contract to Hire position for a Principal Software Engineer to join a leading Company located in the Sterling Heights, MI surrounding area.

**US Citizenship is required.**
 **Candidate must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.**

Job Responsibilities:  
  • Mentors less experienced software test engineers to help develop their software test capabilities and troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
  • Collaborates across other engineering disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Systems. 
  • Ensures that the technical approach is consistent with established engineering principles and practices. 
  • Ensures that product outcomes meet customer needs and that customer and company technical, system, performance, process, and quality requirements are met. 
  • Oversee the associated software engineering efforts, including estimating, planning, requirements analysis, architecture, design, implementation, unit testing, hardware/software integration, integration testing, simulated flyout testing, and testing at the range. 
  • Monitor and control the execution of software engineering efforts with appropriate corrective actions as needed to keep the efforts on track with responsibility for technical, cost, and schedule performance. 
  • Support the software verification lead in areas to include software verification planning, software verification environment concepting/design, and the development, execution, debugging and review of software verification test scripts and procedures. 
  • Ensure that your team supports Software Quality Assurance and Software Configuration Management audits and activities. 
  • Coordinate with Safety Engineering organization to ensure that software requirements development and software safety efforts are completed and recorded accurately and in a timely manner to correctly drive software-level rigor requirements for software architecture, design, implementation, integration, and verification work products associated with safety-related or safety-critical software requirements. 
  • Achieve on-time delivery of contract deliverables with acceptable quality and 90%+ first pass customer acceptance. 
  • Ensure that your project team executes with appropriate process discipline and rigor in accordance with tailored Business Management System (BMS) Procedures, as tailored by your software IPT Lead and approved by functional management. 
  • Oversee Control Account(s) or Work Package(s) as assigned, overseeing tasks, monitoring and reporting progress, and taking corrective action as needed to meet cost, quality, performance, and schedule constraints. 
  • Provide periodic estimates at complete (EAC) as required to support the EVMS reporting for each contract or work directive assigned to you. 
  • Plan the software project schedules and builds in support of product-level development schedules. 
  • Work with your software IPT lead and PEM(s) to plan formal software development milestone reviews with United Stated Government (USG) customer representatives, including System/Software Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR) and Test Readiness Review (TRR). 
  • Establish a work-split with your software IPT Lead for developing and presenting the software engineering content for these milestone events.  
  • Evaluate software requirements to ensure that they are consistent with higher-level performance requirements, customer requirements, and the statement of work or other applicable contractual documents.
  • Coordinate development work with the software Architect and evaluate designs to ensure technical outcomes are consistent with customer needs and established requirements. Software leads are responsible for ensuring the involvement of Software Functional Management and the Munitions Software Architect in reviewing and approving software architecture and significant design work.
  •  Guide the project team in collaborative problem solving, involving relevant stakeholders, to include software architecture representation as appropriate. 
  • Work collaboratively to resolve conflicts between subsystems or disciplines to the benefit of system performance, quality, reliability, and cost. 
  • Plan and ensure appropriate engagement of stakeholders in the activities of the software projects, referencing the project's stakeholder matrix and ensuring involvement of stakeholders, including systems and safety engineering as well as software architecture. 
  • Obtain the stakeholder matrix from your software IPT Lead. 
  • Elevate issues and questions defining/modifying/affecting product behavior to the appropriate IPTs for resolution in a forum including stakeholders from systems, safety, and other relevant engineering disciplines. 
  • Proactively communicate with multiple leaders, including your Software IPT Lead, Functional Manager, Program Engineering Manager(s), and Program Manager(s). 
  • Promptly notify management of emerging risks, issues, and opportunities and elevate as necessary to ensure awareness. 
  • Provide clear, concise work direction to project personnel. 
  • Apply knowledge of multiple engineering disciplines, consideration of customer and other stakeholder inputs, and in-depth knowledge of assigned product or technology area in guiding project direction and outcomes.
  •  Ensure all Cybersecurity efforts are coordinated within the Software domain.
  •  Regularly prepare and present project metrics and technical status at formal milestone reviews, technical interchange meetings, and IPT meetings with customers and teammates as well as internal reviews with both project and functional management. 
  • Plan and manage internal and external resources to meet project obligations and objectives. Includes coordinating with multiple functional and project managers to identify and acquire internal or external resources. 
  • Provide unbiased and constructive Performance and Development Review (PDR) inputs regarding objectives and performance for assigned project personnel. 
  • Continuously maintain and enhance the technical reputation with customers and industry.

Basic Hiring Criteria: 
  • Bachelor's degree in STEM field.
  • Minimum of 6 years of experience in real-time embedded software development and/or software testing, can be 4 years with a master's degree; or 2 years with a Ph.D.
  • C and C++ programming.
  • Python programming. 
  • Development of software applications on Linux Operating Systems or bare-metal real-time application development. 
  • Object Oriented design and development experience. 
  • Familiarity with Ethernet communications. 
  • Exceptional communication (verbal and written) skills are a MUST.
  • Ability to solve basic technical design and development problems.
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with customers to solve technical problems. 
  • Ability to travel to customer sites Required Team Leader Skills include: 
  • Working knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS) and Control Account Manager/Work Package Manager duties. 
  • Ability to conduct effective meetings, discussions, and presentations. 
  • Experience leading a small group of developers.
  • Has knowledge of the full software development lifecycle. 
  • Has experience working on programs involving the development, maintenance, upgrade and porting of embedded product software and/or product support software to enhance, implement and support project/system functionality for the assigned technical effort.

Desired Qualifications: 
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science.
  • Experience with Ada programming.
  • Experience with Git and Jira/Gitlab Configuration Management tools. 
  • Familiarity with Qt Framework for front end GUIs utilizing QML.
  • Familiarity with DOORS.
  • Familiarity with CMMI for development.
  • Familiarity with Nessus and Coverity cybersecurity scans. 
  • Familiarity with hardening of systems and applying STIG rules.
  • Familiarity with relevant military and commercial design standards. 
  • Working with cybersecurity domain knowledge, specifically of Risk. Management Framework and the requirements and process to obtain/maintain Authority to Operate (ATO). Ideally, the candidate would possess a cybersecurity certification.
  • Weapon system and/or combat vehicle subject matter expertise. 
  • Current Secret Clearance.

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled 

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

  • The California Fair Chance Act
  • Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
  • Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
  • San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Education:Bachelors DegreeEmployment Type: FULL_TIME