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Software Developer Contractor Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

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

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.

Cmu

Senior Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA

$118K - $156K/yr

What We Do The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances the state of the art in software ... contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure delivered capabilities meet operational ...

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

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

$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 ...

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Showing results 1-20

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

Software Developer Contractor information

See Pittsburgh, PA salary details

$44.9K

$104.5K

$155.1K

How much do software developer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for software developer contractor in Pittsburgh, PA is $104,511.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,100.00 and $121,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Software Developer Contractors?

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 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 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 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.
Software Developer Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Developer Contractor job openings in Pittsburgh, PA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 72% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,511 per year, or $50.2 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer

Senior Software Engineer

Software Engineering Institute

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

What We Do
The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances the state of the art in software engineering and cybersecurity, serving as a national resource for the advancement of secure, reliable, and high-performing software systems. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) at Carnegie Mellon University, SEI partners with academia, the U.S. Department of War, other government agencies, and industry to improve the development, acquisition, and sustainment of software-intensive systems.
Our mission 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, and motivated to solve complex technical challenges in support of national defense, we encourage you to apply.
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to support U.S. Department of War customers in acquiring and sustaining a mission-critical, software-based mission planning and readiness applications essential to national security operations.
In this role, you will provide software development support across the full software acquisition lifecycle, including architecture analysis, development oversight, risk reduction, integration, and long-term sustainment planning. You will work closely with Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Program Management Offices (PMOs), sustainment organizations, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure delivered capabilities meet operational, maintainability, and long-term supportability requirements.
The ideal candidate combines deep, hands-on expertise in C++ and browser supported languages. Additionally, development experience supporting Army, Air Force, Navy and Space Force acquisition programs, legacy-dependent systems, and operational environments is key. You will integrate with technical teams, evaluate architectural tradeoffs, develop prototypes, analyze existing source code, and support customer engagements that inform acquisition and sustainment decisions. Join us in advancing the engineering of mission-critical systems that protect and support those who serve.
What You'll Do
  • Support DoW software acquisition and sustainment efforts in alignment with DoD 5000-series guidance, including architecture analysis, engineering, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment planning
  • Provide software development expertise for a DoW planning and readiness application supporting mission readiness
  • Analyze lifecycle artifacts associated with two or more planning applications and propose methods to combine them into a common baseline
  • Advise and develop prototype capability for 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 browser supported languages like C#, Java, and Angular.
  • 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, interfaces, and data flows to identify technical debt, sustainment risks, and modernization opportunities
  • Build prototypes and technical demonstrations to reduce risk, inform acquisition decisions, and mature emerging capabilities
  • Lead and mentor development teams, promoting 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
  • Stay current on emerging technologies, software engineering best practices, and 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
  • Experience leading, architecting, or developing large-scale acquisition programs
  • Experience with developing mission and safety critical embedded software applications
  • Experience supporting major DoW acquisition organizations
  • Proven experience designing and implementing complex software architectures for mission-critical or sustainment-focused systems based on new and existing system and software requirements with varying levels of uncertainty
  • Proven experience in developing new and maintaining existing software documentation artifacts with emphasis on views and models across the full Software Development Lifecycle through modern tools and approaches
  • Proven experience in structured verification and validation activities in planning and execution of system and software level test activities
  • Demonstrated ability to identify and balance architectural drivers, tradeoffs, extensibility, and long-term maintainability
  • Experience across the full software development lifecycle, including use of static analysis tools and associated coding standards to improve quality and security
  • Demonstrated success leading technical teams and engaging credibly with government and contractor stakeholders
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to senior government decision-makers
  • Willingness to work directly with U.S. military and government customers in mission-focused environments
  • Ability to travel up to 25% to SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings
  • You have a BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related disciple with ten (10) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR a PhD in the same fields with five (5) years of experience

Why Work Here?
Our benefits philosophy encompasses three driving priorities: choice, control, and well-being. Through Carnegie Mellon University, SEI offers a wide range of competitive employee benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, tuition benefits, generous time off, and a robust retirement savings policy to name a few.
  • Join a world-class organization that makes a meaningful impact on government software.
  • Collaborate with experts and work with cutting-edge technologies to solve challenging problems for the government and the nation.
  • Receive an 8% monthly contribution to your retirement plan with no personal contribution required.
  • Access tuition benefits for yourself and your dependent children.
  • Take advantage of paid parental and military leave.
  • Qualify for relocation assistance and many other benefits.

Join us in advancing the engineering of mission-critical systems that protect and support those who serve.
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

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