1

Software Development Contractor Jobs in Massachusetts

IT Data Services Co-Op

Boston, MA · On-site

$23 - $26/hr

Work with software development contractor and business partners to test application changes. * Support the Applications Data Services and Applications Groups on numerous project initiatives at the ...

$200K/yr

Familiar with DevSecOps and Agile software development practices. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS ... Participate in product development demonstrations executed by the development contractor and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Software Development Contractor information

See Massachusetts salary details

$86.8K

$155.2K

$194.9K

How much do software development contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for software development contractor in Massachusetts is $155,193.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,900.00 and $178,000.00 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.
What are popular job titles related to Software Development Contractor jobs in Massachusetts? For Software Development Contractor jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Software Development Contractor jobs in Massachusetts look for? The top searched job categories for Software Development Contractor jobs in Massachusetts are:
Infographic showing various Software Development Contractor job openings in Massachusetts as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,193 per year, or $74.6 per hour.
Software Dev Engineer - Software Dev Engineer II

Software Dev Engineer - Software Dev Engineer II

Apex Systems

Boston, MA • On-site

$50 - $60/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job#: 3041743
Job Description:
Software Dev Engineer - Software Dev Engineer II
Location: Boston, Massachusetts (Onsite)
Compensation: $50 - $60 hourly
Role Overview
This is a temporary Software Development Engineer position on an Automated Decision Appeals project. You will join a small, fast-moving team building a full-automation appeals system from the ground up to meet new U.S. state regulations requiring human-mediated review of automated impactful decisions. The system must be code-complete by November 15, 2026, to go live by December 31, 2026. You will work with high autonomy alongside other SDEs, a technical program manager, and a compliance specialist.
Key Responsibilities
  • Build the evidence assembly service that automatically retrieves decision data from automated decision-making systems via APIs and data lake access.
  • Implement the progressive routing funnel (heuristic narrowing, GenAI classification, human-in-the-loop fallback) to identify which system made a decision.
  • Write integrations between automated decision-making systems and a case management system.
  • Build Lambda processors subscribing to DynamoDB Streams for event-driven case processing.
  • Develop APIs for programmatic data retrieval and evidence packet assembly.
  • Support intake form integration and audit trail implementation.
  • Work under a hard regulatory deadline with high autonomy.
Required Qualifications
Education: A Computer Science degree or equivalent is required.
Experience: A minimum of 3 years of professional Software Development Engineer experience is required.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Java and/or Python, hands-on experience with AWS services (Lambda, SQS, DynamoDB, S3), REST API design, integration development, and experience building and shipping production services under time constraints.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with event-driven architectures and streaming data pipelines.
  • Familiarity with GenAI/LLM integration (prompt engineering, classification tasks).
  • Experience with case management or workflow orchestration systems.
  • Background in HR tech, compliance tech, or regulatory work.
  • Comfort operating with ambiguity and making pragmatic tradeoffs under regulatory deadlines.

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.
UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.