ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Software Development Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Portland Webworks

Software Development Manager

Portland, ME · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Manage hiring, onboarding, and contractor relationships Project & Technical Leadership * Serve as a ... Pay scale for Software Development Manager: Depends on experience This position requires passing a ...

Portland Webworks

Software Development Manager

Portland, ME · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Manage hiring, onboarding, and contractor relationships Project & Technical Leadership * Serve as a ... Pay scale for Software Development Manager: Depends on experience This position requires passing a ...

LCP TRACKER INC

Software Development Manager

Orange, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $170K/yr

Software Development Manager Company Summary LCPtracker, Inc. is a cloud-based software (SaaS ... Thousands of clients and over 100,000 contractors use LCPtracker for their certified payroll and ...

Ask IT consulting

Test Manager

Columbia, SC · On-site

... software development contractor to plan and execute a successful user acceptance testing. The Test Manager is also responsible for monitoring and ensuring the proper execution of the development ...

Omni Inclusive

Software Dev III

Denver, CO · Hybrid

Key Responsibilities: • Software Development: Design, develop, and maintain software applications ... Sub Contractor allowed : Y Years of Experience: 11.00 Years of Experience

Teledyne

Software Development Manager

Huntsville, AL · On-site +1

$121K - $160K/yr

Background in aerospace, government contracting, or mission-critical software, with an ... development in a supportive, innovative workplace. If you're ready to lead our team through this ...

Astrion

Senior Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

Assess the development practices utilized by the software development contractors against known best practices * Provide specific recommendations for improvement to the developers as well as the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSoftware Development Contractor Jobs

Software Development Contractor information

See salary details

$79.5K

$142.1K

$178.5K

How much do software development contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for software development contractor in the United States is $142,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does the workflow and communication process typically differ for software development contractors compared to full-time employees?

As a software development contractor, you’ll likely experience more autonomy in your workflow but will need to be proactive in communication since you may not be embedded within the core team. Contractors often attend regular check-ins or stand-ups virtually and coordinate with project managers or technical leads to track deliverables. You may work across multiple projects or teams, so adapting quickly to different coding standards and collaboration tools is essential. Clear documentation and timely progress updates are important for ensuring alignment and meeting client expectations.

What does a Software Development Contractor do?

A Software Development Contractor is an independent professional hired to design, develop, and implement software solutions for clients on a project or temporary basis. They may work with various programming languages, frameworks, and technologies depending on the client's needs. Contractors are responsible for delivering specific project outcomes, often collaborating with in-house teams, and may also provide ongoing support or maintenance. Their work arrangement typically allows for greater flexibility compared to full-time employees, but they are usually responsible for their own business operations, such as taxes and contracts.

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

AspectSoftware Development ContractorSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required; focus on experience and skillsOften holds a degree in computer science or related field; certifications like Scrum or Agile may be common
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often freelance or temporary projectsFull-time or part-time employment within a company or organization
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies hiring for specific projects or short-term needsEmployed by organizations as ongoing team members
Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare to understand contract work vs permanent rolesPeople look to distinguish between employment types

In summary, a Software Development Contractor typically works on short-term, project-based assignments without formal employment benefits, while a Software Developer is usually a full-time employee with ongoing responsibilities within a company. Both roles require technical skills, but their work arrangements and employment status differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Software Development Contractor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Development Contractor, you need strong programming skills, experience with software design and development methodologies, and typically a relevant degree or proven work history. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), cloud platforms, and frameworks relevant to client needs is crucial, along with knowledge of Agile or Scrum methodologies. Excellent problem-solving, time management, and communication skills help you adapt to diverse client environments and deliver quality solutions independently. These competencies ensure you can efficiently meet client expectations, deliver robust software, and maintain professional relationships in a contract-based role.
More about Software Development Contractor jobs
What cities are hiring for Software Development Contractor jobs? Cities with the most Software Development Contractor job openings:
What states have the most Software Development Contractor jobs? States with the most job openings for Software Development Contractor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Software Development Contractor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Software Development Contractor jobs are:
Software Development Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Development Contractor job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,102 per year, or $68.3 per hour.
Software Development Engineer in Test Contractor (SDET Contractor)

Software Development Engineer in Test Contractor (SDET Contractor)

PlayStation Global

San Mateo, CA

$57 - $73.50/hr

Other

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Software Development Engineer in Test Contractor (SDET Contractor)Summary

Would you like to help ensure the quality of PlayStation peripherals and firmware? Join the team delivering innovative test solutions for PlayStation Link devices, where your work will directly impact performance, stability, and the player experience.

Sony Interactive Entertainment has a great opportunity in the Quality Engineering department! We are seeking a self-motivated engineer who focuses on quality, consistency, and thoughtful testing practices to develop and maintain automated tests that support the performance and reliability of our products.

As a Software Development Engineer in Test Contractor, you'll work hands-on with our peripherals, independently own and drive automated test coverage for specific features, and collaborate with senior engineers and development teams to ensure system quality across multiple platforms.

We value collaboration, thoughtful testing, and continuous learning as a team.

Responsibilities

In this role, you'll contribute to both the strategic and practical aspects of test automation across platforms.

  • Develop and maintain automated tests in C for embedded firmware and Python for platform integration

  • Own automation suites for assigned features, ensuring test reliability and comprehensive coverage

  • Support and enhance automation frameworks used across hardware and platform-level testing

  • Perform firmware integration testing on PlayStation 5, PlayStation Portal, and Windows

  • Monitor test infrastructure, troubleshoot automation failures, and improve performance and stability

  • Analyze test execution data to identify flaky or slow tests and contribute to runtime optimization

  • Evaluate and integrate new tools and methodologies to improve testing efficiency and scalability

  • Collaborate with QA, Development, and Product teams to align on test coverage and integration

Qualifications

We're looking for someone who enjoys solving tough problems and collaborating with others to build high-quality systems.

  • Strong Python scripting skills and hands-on experience with automation tools like pytest and Appium

  • Experience programming in C or C++ (modern C++ preferred, e.g., C++17)

  • Solid experience using Git for version control and working with CI/CD pipelines in Jenkins, including configuring jobs and troubleshooting failures

  • Experience using test case management tools like qTest or TestRail

  • Understanding of embedded firmware testing and hardware/software integration

  • Ability to design and troubleshoot automated tests with minimal supervision

  • Effective communication and collaboration skills in a cross-functional team

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Nice to Have

If you bring any of these, we'd love to hear about them!

  • Experience with GitHub Actions

  • Experience testing or interacting with Windows-based drivers

  • Familiarity with PlayStation SDK development

  • Familiarity with basic electrical concepts such as current draw, voltage levels, battery diagnostics, and microcontroller-based measurements

  • Curiosity about PlayStation products and games

Apply