ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Software Developer Contractor Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Cmu

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA

$120K - $157K/yr

Navy and government stakeholders, contractors, integrators, SEI staff, and leadership to assess ... Software/Applications Development/Engineering Position Type Staff - Regular Full time/Part time ...

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

We are currently seeking a 1099 Independent Contractor professional Civil or Structural Engineer ... Must have or obtain a laptop with Microsoft Word and PDF editing software for report completion.

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

We are currently seeking a 1099 Independent Contractor professional Civil or Structural Engineer ... Must have or obtain a laptop with Microsoft Word and PDF editing software for report completion.

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Carnegie, PA · On-site

We are currently seeking a 1099 Independent Contractor professional Civil or Structural Engineer ... Must have or obtain a laptop with Microsoft Word and PDF editing software for report completion.

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

What You'll Be Doing As a Software Engineer, you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary ... Experience in defense-related government contracting What You'll Get Out Of It * UPMC health ...

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

What You'll Be Doing As a Software Engineer, you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary ... Experience in defense-related government contracting What You'll Get Out Of It * UPMC health ...

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

What You'll Be Doing As a Software Engineer, you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary ... Experience in defense-related government contracting What You'll Get Out Of It * UPMC health ...

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer - Cloud

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$58.25 - $75.75/hr

... a Backend Developer, or have transitioned from a Web Dev or ML background, we are looking for ... Experience in defense-related government contracting. What You'll Get Out Of It * UPMC health ...

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer - Cloud

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$58.25 - $75.75/hr

... a Backend Developer, or have transitioned from a Web Dev or ML background, we are looking for ... Experience in defense-related government contracting. What You'll Get Out Of It * UPMC health ...

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer - Cloud

Pittsburgh, PA

$58.25 - $75.75/hr

... a Backend Developer, or have transitioned from a Web Dev or ML background, we are looking for ... Experience in defense-related government contracting. What You'll Get Out Of It * UPMC health ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSoftware Developer Contractor JobsSoftware Developer Contractor Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Software Developer Contractor information

See Pittsburgh, PA salary details

$46.6K

$108.6K

$161.2K

How much do software developer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for software developer contractor in Pittsburgh, PA is $108,581.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,400.00 and $126,200.00 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.

Software Developer Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Developer Contractor job openings in Pittsburgh, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,581 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Software Engineering Institute

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

$120K - $157K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

What We Do
The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances the state of the art in software engineering and cybersecurity and serves as a national resource for secure, resilient software systems. The SEI works closely with academia, the U.S. Department of War, other government organizations, and industry to improve the development, acquisition, and sustainment of software-intensive systems.
Our core purpose is to help organizations acquire and operate software-reliant systems that are secure, reliable, sustainable, and mission-effective, delivered on time and within budget.
If you are creative, curious, collaborative, technology-focused, and motivated to solve complex problems in support of national defense, we encourage you to apply.
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to support U.S. Navy customers in the acquisition of a software-based maintenance and readiness application critical to fleet operations and national security. This position provides technical leadership across the software acquisition lifecycle, including architecture analysis, software development oversight, risk reduction, and sustainment planning. The role requires close collaboration with Naval Program Executive Offices (PEOs) and Program Management Offices (PMOs), sustainment organizations, contractors, and fleet stakeholders to ensure software solutions meet operational, maintainability, and long-term supportability requirements.
The ideal candidate combines hands-on software expertise (C/C++) with experience supporting Naval acquisition programs, legacy-dependent systems, and operational environments. This role includes guiding technical teams, evaluating architectural tradeoffs, developing prototypes, analyzing existing source code, and leading customer engagements that inform acquisition and sustainment decisions.
What You'll Do
  • Support Naval software acquisition and sustainment activities in accordance with DoD 5000-series acquisition guidance, including architecture analysis, software engineering, integration, testing, deployment, and long-term sustainment planning
  • Provide technical leadership for a fleet-facing maintenance and readiness application supporting operational availability across afloat and ashore environments
  • Advise Navy Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Program Management Offices (PMOs), and government stakeholders on software design decisions, technical risks, modernization strategies, and tradeoffs associated with large, legacy-dependent systems
  • Lead software development efforts from concept through deployment, with an emphasis on C and C++-based implementations supporting high-performance and mission-critical use cases
  • Demonstrate software architecture expertise by developing and maintaining design artifacts such as data-flow diagrams, sequence diagrams, interface control definitions, and quality attribute specifications to support scalable, maintainable, and resilient solutions
  • Analyze existing source code, system interfaces, and data flows to identify technical debt, sustainment risks, and modernization opportunities.
  • Develop prototypes and technical demonstrations to support risk reduction, acquisition decision-making, and capability maturation
  • Collaborate with senior U.S. Navy and government stakeholders, contractors, integrators, SEI staff, and leadership to assess needs and deliver technically sound recommendations
  • Lead and mentor a team of developers, fostering disciplined engineering practices, continuous improvement, and mission focus
  • Support customer engagements such as technical interchange meetings (TIMs), design reviews, and acquisition milestone activities, providing clear, defensible technical input
  • Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, software development best practices, and Naval digital modernization initiatives relevant to sustainment and maintenance systems

Who You Are
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an active Department of War (DoW) security clearance; an existing SECRET or higher clearance is preferred
  • Previous experience leading, architecting, or developing large scale Navy acquisition programs including Aegis Combat System, SM-series interceptors, Sea Sparrow Missile System and/or Surface Electronic Warfare programs
  • Previous experience working with large scale Naval Command elements such as NAVSEA, NAVAIR, NAVWAR, NAVFAC, NIWC or their predecessors such as SPAWAR

Education and Experience Requirements:
  • BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline with ten (10) years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR PhD in the same fields with five (5) years of experience
  • Proven experience designing and implementing complex software architectures for mission-critical or sustainment-focused systems
  • Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and balance architecture drivers, tradeoffs, extensibility, and long-term maintainability
  • Deep understanding of C and C++ software development, including analysis of existing codebases
  • Working knowledge of C#, Java, and Python
  • Experience across the full software development lifecycle, including the use of static analysis tools and techniques to improve software quality and security
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and engage credibly with government and contractor stakeholders
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to government decision-makers
  • Willingness to work directly with U.S. military and government stakeholders in support of mission success
  • Ability to travel up to 25% to SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings

Why Work Here
Our benefits philosophy centers on choice, control, and well-being. Through Carnegie Mellon University, SEI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • The opportunity to join a world-class organization with a significant impact on government software systems
  • Work alongside leading experts to solve high-consequence national security challenges
  • An 8% employer retirement contribution with no employee contribution requirement
  • Tuition benefits for you and your dependent children
  • Access to university resources, including wellness programs, transit benefits, and onsite fitness facilities at select locations
  • Paid parental leave and military leave
  • Eligibility for relocation assistance and additional benefits

Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Software/Applications Development/Engineering
Position Type
Staff - Regular
Full time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
SalaryMore Information:
  • Please visit "Why Carnegie Mellon" to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
  • Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
  • Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
  • Statement of Assurance

Apply