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Software Developer Contractor Jobs in Houston, TX

Process Engineer

Spring, TX · On-site

$100/hr

Provide technical oversight of engineering contractor work during front-end engineering & design ... Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of software programs * Read, write, and speak fluent English ...

Sr. Lead Software Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

As a Senior Lead Software Engineer at JPMorgan Chase within Corporate Technology, you are an ... contractors, and vendors * Develops secure and high-quality production code, and reviews and debugs ...

... an engineering contractor's technical deliverables during the front end design / detailed ... of software programs • Read, write, and speak fluent English, especially as it applies to ...

Ability to work in a team environment consisting of NASA civil servants and contractor employees ... Experience with NASA Software Engineering Requirements NPR-7150.2D or DO-178C * Experience with ...

Showing results 41-60

Software Developer Contractor information

See Houston, TX salary details

$45.8K

$106.8K

$158.5K

How much do software developer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for software developer contractor in Houston, TX is $106,759.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,900.00 and $124,100.00 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 cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Software Developer Contractor jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Software Developer Contractor job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Developer Contractor job openings in Houston, TX 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 $106,759 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

AI Developer Experience (DevEx) & Tooling Engineer

Apex Systems

Houston, TX • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job#: 3040293
Job Description:
AI Developer
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire
Location: Houston, TX
Schedule: Hybrid
Position Overview
We are seeking an AI Developer Experience & Tooling Engineer to build and optimize the AI-powered systems, workflows, and development tools that accelerate software modernization efforts across the organization. Rather than focusing on a single application, this role is responsible for creating scalable, repeatable AI-assisted development practices that improve engineering efficiency, code quality, and software delivery outcomes.
The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals with practical experience leveraging large language models (LLMs), AI development tooling, automation frameworks, and developer platforms. This individual will work closely with modernization engineers to create the systems, guardrails, and workflows that enable teams to successfully adopt AI-powered development practices at scale.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, build, and optimize AI-assisted pipelines for:
    • Code comprehension
    • Code translation
    • Test generation
    • Code review
    • Software modernization workflows
  • Evaluate, integrate, and benchmark AI development tools to determine their impact on engineering productivity and software quality.
  • Develop prompts, agents, contextual frameworks, and automation solutions that support engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Establish governance, guardrails, and best practices for AI-assisted development to ensure solutions remain secure, reliable, auditable, and maintainable.
  • Create reusable developer tooling and internal platforms that improve developer efficiency and modernization outcomes.
  • Partner closely with software engineers, architects, and modernization teams to drive adoption of AI-powered engineering workflows.
  • Measure and report on the effectiveness of AI-assisted development initiatives using data-driven performance metrics.
Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals and experience building applications using modern development practices.
  • Hands-on experience working with:
    • Large Language Models (LLMs)
    • AI-assisted development tools
    • AI coding assistants
    • Prompt engineering
    • Developer productivity platforms
  • Experience designing and building:
    • Developer tools
    • Automation frameworks
    • Internal engineering platforms
    • Workflow orchestration solutions
  • Experience evaluating technical solutions through experimentation, measurement, and performance analysis.
  • Proficiency in at least one of the following technologies:
    • C++
    • C# / .NET
    • Java
  • Ability to understand and work within complex legacy codebases and modernization environments.
  • Experience working within Agile software development environments.
  • Knowledge of:
    • Spec-Driven Development
    • AI Development Lifecycle (AIDLC)
    • AI-enabled software engineering workflows
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience implementing agentic coding solutions and AI-assisted refactoring at scale.
  • Background in:
    • Static analysis
    • Compiler technologies
    • Program transformation
    • Code generation systems
  • Working knowledge of:
    • LangChain
    • LangGraph
    • DeepAgents
  • Experience supporting enterprise application modernization initiatives.
  • Experience building AI governance, evaluation, and observability frameworks.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate will:
  • Be an excellent communicator who can partner effectively with engineers, architects, and stakeholders.
  • Thrive in highly innovative and rapidly evolving environments.
  • Demonstrate curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to test new ideas while maintaining engineering rigor.
  • Successfully influence engineering teams to adopt AI-powered development tools and workflows.
  • Balance innovation with practicality, focusing on measurable business and engineering outcomes.
  • Use data-driven decision-making to evaluate the impact of AI-assisted engineering practices.
  • Serve as an advocate and change agent for modern software development methodologies.

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at
Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.
Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at or . Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.
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