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Software Developer Contractor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Stryker

Software Engineer, Cloud

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$116K - $193K/yr

As a backend Software Engineer, you will design, develop, and maintain platforms and APIs built on ... contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

YO AI Labs

Backend Developer - Remote

Chicago, IL · Remote

$80 - $120/hr

Senior Software Engineer Job Type: Contractor (~15 hours/week) Location: Remote Job Summary We are seeking experienced Senior Software Engineers to support an AI training project by creating ...

Jorie AI

Software Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Understand the importance of DevOps and CI/CD. Python is an important tool for DevOps, streamlining ... No Contractors, No C2C, No Visa Sponsorship No recruiting agencies. Location & Hours: Remote in USA ...

Jorie AI

Software Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · Remote

Understand the importance of DevOps and CI/CD. Python is an important tool for DevOps, streamlining ... No Contractors, No C2C, No Visa Sponsorship No recruiting agencies. Location & Hours: Remote in USA ...

Jorie AI

Software Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · Remote

Understand the importance of DevOps and CI/CD. Python is an important tool for DevOps, streamlining ... No Contractors, No C2C, No Visa Sponsorship No recruiting agencies. Location & Hours: Remote in USA ...

Argonne National Laboratory

Software Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$57K - $93K/yr

The Business and Information Services division (BIS) is looking for a Software Engineer to join ... Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular ...

Argonne National Laboratory

Software Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$57K - $93K/yr

The Business and Information Services division (BIS) is looking for a Software Engineer to join ... Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular ...

Humana

Lead Engineering - Omnichannel

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$105K - $139K/yr

... the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Lead Engineer -Omnichannel Humana is seeking a self ... Associates or contractors who live and work from home in the state of California will be provided ...

United Airlines

Senior Developer - AI

Chicago, IL · On-site

$56.25 - $74.25/hr

Participate in software design meetings and analyze user needs to determine technical requirements ... Collaborate with cross‑functional teams consisting of employees and vendor contractors in ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsSoftware Developer Contractor JobsSoftware Developer Contractor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Software Developer Contractor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$49.5K

$115.3K

$171.1K

How much do software developer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for software developer contractor in Chicago, IL is $115,308.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,800.00 and $134,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software developer contractor?

Software Developer Contractors are professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and maintain software applications for clients or companies. Unlike full-time employees, contractors typically work under a contract for a specific period or for the duration of a project. They may work independently, through agencies, or as part of a consulting firm, and often have specialized skills to meet specific project needs. This arrangement offers flexibility for both the developer and the employer, allowing organizations to scale their technical resources as needed.

What are some common challenges software developer contractors face when integrating with existing teams?

Software developer contractors often join projects mid-stream and must quickly adapt to unfamiliar codebases, workflows, and team dynamics. A common challenge is building rapport with full-time staff and understanding company-specific coding standards or tools. Contractors are expected to be proactive in communicating, asking questions, and clarifying requirements to ensure smooth collaboration. Being flexible and open to feedback helps contractors deliver quality work while navigating these initial hurdles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software developer contractor, and why are they important?

To excel as a Software Developer Contractor, you need strong programming abilities, problem-solving skills, and a solid understanding of software development methodologies, often backed by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), cloud platforms, and proficiency in languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript are commonly required, along with certifications like AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer. Excellent communication, time management, and adaptability set top contractors apart, enabling them to quickly integrate with diverse teams and projects. These skills are essential for delivering high-quality, timely solutions in dynamic and varied client environments.

What is the difference between Software Developer Contractor vs Software Developer Employee?

AspectSoftware Developer ContractorSoftware Developer Employee
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree and technical skills; certifications optionalSame as contractor, often with additional company-specific training
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often remote or on-site for short-term projectsFull-time, usually on-site or hybrid
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech firms, startups, consulting agenciesStandard in large corporations, tech companies, and organizations

Software Developer Contractors work on short-term projects, often remotely, with flexible arrangements, while Software Developer Employees are full-time staff with ongoing responsibilities and benefits. Both roles require similar skills and credentials but differ mainly in employment status and work setup.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Developer Contractor jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Software Developer Contractor jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Software Developer Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Developer Contractor job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,308 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Software Engineer, Cloud

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Stryker
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Strykerexternal

$116K - $193K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Stryker rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 113 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Work Flexibility: Remote

What You Will Do:
As a backend Software Engineer, you will design, develop, and maintain platforms and APIs built on Cloud infrastructure and services that power our AI-enabled mobile, XR, web and desktop applications across Stryker's digital health ecosystem. This role focuses on delivering secure, scalable, eventdriven systems that ingest, process, and expose clinical and operational data including text, images, STL files, CT scans, and videos. These systems also invoke AI models to summarize and analyze that data. You will work across crossfunctional teams to implement robust data pipelines, ensure high reliability, and contribute to architecture, documentation, and quality processes within a regulated environment. This role is backend-focused, but you will have the opportunity at times to contribute to Web UI application components.

In this role, you will help build the foundations that enable the next generation of intelligent, datadriven healthcare solutions. You'll contribute to systems that support clinicians, operating rooms, and patients around the world giving you the opportunity to work on meaningful technology with real clinical impact. You'll join a collaborative team within an AI-focused organization that values innovation, craftsmanship, and continuous learning, and you'll have room to grow your technical skills across distributed systems, Cloud platforms, and modern software engineering practices, including AI-assisted development. If you're passionate about creating reliable platforms that power cutting-edge AI-enhanced products, this is a role where you have a real impact.

  • Implement secure, reliable, highperformance APIs hosted in the Cloud that support Stryker medical device classified mobile, XR, web, and desktop applications.
  • Implement secure, reliable, scalable data-processing and data-ingestion Cloud hosted pipeline components for large data objects such as images, videos, and STL files.
  • Contribute to front-end implementation of Web applications.
  • Perform code reviews ensuring adherence to coding standards, architectural guidelines, and best practices.
  • Implement automated unit tests and integration testing.
  • Implement proof of concepts to benchmark and validate design approaches for backend Cloud solutions.
  • Close collaboration with Product Owners, QA testers, mobile/XR/web/desktop software engineers, product security, regulatory, and other project stakeholders.
  • Translate functional requirements into secure, reliable, scalable backend components.

What You Will Need:

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related discipline along with 2+ years of professional software development experience.
  • Experience writing maintainable and testable code using modern programming languages (e.g., C#, Python, Java), with application of established design principles and patterns
  • Experience developing backend services, and APIs hosted in the Cloud leveraging PaaS, SaaS, and IaaS applying design patterns/principles
  • Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills across distributed systems
  • Experience with Single Page Application frameworks such as React or Angular.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience implementing and working with Docker containers.
  • Familiarity with security considerations and protocols (e.g., OAuth, SSL/TLS)
  • Exposure to regulated environments or working on medical device software


United States of America Pay Ranges:

  • USN: $89,300 - $148,800 USD Annual
  • US5: $93,800 - $156,200 USD Annual
  • US10: $98,200 - $163,700 USD Annual
  • US15: $102,700 - $171,100 USD Annual
  • US20: $107,200 - $178,600 USD Annual
  • US30: $116,100 - $193,400 USD Annual
View the U.S. work location and transparency guide to find the pay range for your location.

Travel Percentage: 10%Stryker Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Stryker is an EO employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability.Stryker Corporation will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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