ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Software Engineer Contract Jobs in Waterloo, ON (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

Software Test Engineer

Waterloo, ON · Hybrid

CA$48 - CA$62/hr

Job Title: Software Test Engineer The Software Test Engineer works on body control modules and ... Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Waterloo, ON. Pay and Benefits The pay ...

Ag

Sr AI/ML Software Developer

Waterloo, ON · Hybrid

As a Senior AI/ML Software Developer, you will enhance core functionality-such as flight scheduling ... Contract Type: Permanent ----- Experience Level: Professional Job Family: Digital By submitting ...

Ag

Software Engineering Manager

Waterloo, ON · Hybrid

As a Software Engineering Manager, you will sit at the intersection of high level strategy and ... Contract Type: Permanent ----- Experience Level: Professional Job Family: Digital By submitting ...

GEI Consultants

Data Engineer

Guelph, ON

CA$90K - CA$150K/yr

Collaborate with AI Engineers to define data contracts and ensure pipeline outputs meet solution requirements for schema, latency, and freshness. * Instrument data pipelines for monitoring, alerting ...

GEI Consultants

Data Engineer

Kitchener, ON

CA$90K - CA$150K/yr

Collaborate with AI Engineers to define data contracts and ensure pipeline outputs meet solution requirements for schema, latency, and freshness. * Instrument data pipelines for monitoring, alerting ...

L3Harris Technologies

Applied Systems Engineer

Troy, ON · On-site

Execute the technical perspective of the contracts. Define system configuration, and develop ... Develop systems level test procedure, perform functional verification and software regression tests ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSoftware Engineer Contract JobsSoftware Engineer Contract Jobs in Waterloo, ON

Software Engineer Contract information

See Waterloo, ON salary details

$24

$61

$88

How much do software engineer contract jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for software engineer contract in Waterloo, ON is $61.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.60 and $80.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a contract software engineer make?

Contract software engineers typically earn between $40 and $150 per hour, depending on experience, location, and project complexity. Hourly rates can vary based on skills such as proficiency in specific programming languages, tools, and certifications, as well as the duration and scope of the contract.

Is it true that AI will replace software engineers?

AI is unlikely to fully replace software engineers, as their role involves complex problem-solving, creativity, and understanding user needs that AI cannot replicate. Instead, AI tools are increasingly used to assist engineers in coding, testing, and automation, enhancing productivity rather than replacing the profession. Software engineers will continue to be essential for designing, maintaining, and improving software systems.

What are software engineer contracts?

Software engineer contracts are agreements where software engineers are hired on a temporary basis to work on specific projects or for a set period of time, rather than as permanent employees. Contractors often work for multiple clients, are paid hourly or per project, and may have more flexible schedules. These contracts outline the scope of work, compensation, deadlines, and other terms. Contract software engineers are responsible for delivering quality code and meeting the requirements set by the client or organization. This working arrangement can offer more autonomy, but also less job security and benefits compared to full-time employment.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineer Contract, you need strong programming skills, a solid understanding of software development methodologies, and a relevant degree or proven experience in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with source control systems (e.g., Git), cloud platforms, and proficiency in languages or frameworks required by the contract are crucial, as are any certifications in areas like AWS or Agile methodologies. Excellent problem-solving, adaptability, and communication skills help you quickly integrate with new teams and deliver results in diverse environments. These skills ensure you can efficiently contribute to projects, meet client expectations, and maintain professional flexibility across various assignments.

What is the difference between Software Engineer Contract vs Software Engineer Full-Time?

AspectSoftware Engineer ContractSoftware Engineer Full-Time
Employment TypeTemporary, project-basedPermanent, ongoing
Work EnvironmentTypically freelance or agency-basedCompany offices or remote
CredentialsUsually similar certifications and skillsSame as contract roles
BenefitsLimited or no benefitsHealth, retirement, paid leave

In summary, Software Engineer Contract roles are temporary positions focused on specific projects, often with fewer benefits, while Software Engineer Full-Time roles offer permanent employment with comprehensive benefits. Both roles require similar skills and credentials but differ mainly in employment stability and perks.

What are some common challenges faced by software engineers working on contract positions, and how can they be managed?

Software engineers on contract often face challenges such as quickly adapting to new codebases, understanding diverse team workflows, and managing changing project scopes. It's important to proactively communicate with team members, clarify project requirements early on, and stay organized to meet tight deadlines. Additionally, maintaining a strong personal workflow and being open to feedback can help contract engineers integrate more smoothly and deliver high-quality results within limited timeframes.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Software engineers can earn $500,000 or more annually, primarily through senior roles, specialized skills, or working at large tech companies with stock options and bonuses. Achieving this level often requires extensive experience, advanced technical expertise, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or equity compensation.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-demand fields like machine learning, AI, or working at major tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, specialized skills, and often leadership roles or equity compensation.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in Waterloo, ON? The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in Waterloo, ON are:
What are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Contract jobs in Waterloo, ON? For Software Engineer Contract jobs in Waterloo, ON, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Waterloo, ON are hiring for Software Engineer Contract jobs? Cities near Waterloo, ON with the most Software Engineer Contract job openings:
Software Engineer Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Engineer Contract job openings in Waterloo, ON as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $128,410 per year, or $61.7 per hour.

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test

Magnet Forensics

Waterloo, ON

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Who We Are; What We Do; Where We're Going
 
Magnet Forensics is a global leader in the development of digital investigative software that acquires, analyzes, and shares evidence from computers, smartphones, tablets, and IoT-related devices. We are continually innovating so our customers can deploy advanced and effective tools to protect their companies, communities, and countries.
 
Serving thousands of customers globally, our solutions are playing a crucial role in modernizing digital investigations, helping investigators fight crime, protect assets, and guard national security.
 
With employees based around the world, Magnet Forensics has been expanding our global presence. As a part of Magnet Forensics, you can expect to make a difference in the world, no matter what role you play. You'll be supported through learning and development, not to mention an incredible team with unbelievable talent and integrity.
 
If you think you would be the right person to join our team working towards this goal, we would love to hear from you! 

Role Overview 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to join our engineering team, supporting the development and deployment of our next-generation AI-powered products. In this role, you will architect, build, and maintain production-grade test infrastructure and automation frameworks to ensure the reliability and performance of our cloud platform. You will write high-quality, maintainable code for testing tools, CI/CD pipelines, and validation systems that serve as critical engineering infrastructure. You will work closely with developers, product managers, and other SDETs to design and implement robust cloud test strategies, automation frameworks, and validation tools.

The successful candidate will flourish making meaningful contributions and elegant solutions, be determined, and manage major turning points independently in a fast-paced environment. You'll approach test automation as a software engineering discipline, applying the same rigor to test code that you would to production code, treating test infrastructure as a product that serves internal customers (developers) with the same care as customer-facing features.

What You'll Do

  • Architect and build reusable test frameworks and libraries that serve as shared infrastructure across teams;

  • Design and implement testing SDKs and tools that enable other engineers to write better tests faster;

  • Contribute to the product codebase by improving testability, instrumentation, and observability;

  • Conduct code reviews for test automation pull requests, ensuring best practices and maintainability;

  • Apply software engineering principles (design patterns, SOLID) to test automation architecture;

  • Define and maintain an automation roadmap aligned with team goals and product evolution;

  • Act as a subject matter expert in test strategy and tooling within your domain;

  • Mentor and coach other SDETs or SWEs on Quality Engineering best practices;

  • Engineer end-to-end CI/CD pipelines including build orchestration, deployment automation, and infrastructure-as-code for test environments;

  • Validate deployments across multiple cloud environments;

  • Work closely with development to improve the quality of the product.

What We're Looking For

  • 5+ years of experience in Software Development in the Quality Engineering field with a strong focus on cloud automation;

  • Strong software engineering skills with demonstrated proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, C#, Java), including:

    • Object-oriented design and design patterns

    • Writing clean, maintainable, well-documented code

    • Version control (Git) and code review practices

    • Software architecture and system design principles

  • Experience with or strong interest in AI-powered development workflows;

  • Experience building production-quality automation frameworks, testing libraries, or developer tools from scratch;

  • Strong understanding of software architecture, APIs, SDKs, and system integration testing with hands-on experience designing and implementing APIs for test frameworks or validation tools;

  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and cloud-based testing environments;

  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail;

  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Nice to Have Skills

  • Familiarity with testing LLM-powered applications and agentic systems;

  • Experience with infrastructure-as-code (CDK, Terraform, CloudFormation);

  • Familiarity with software design patterns and refactoring techniques;

  • Background in distributed systems or cloud architecture;

  • Knowledge of observability patterns (structured logging, distributed tracing, metrics instrumentation);

  • Familiarity with monitoring and alerting tools (e.g., Grafana, DataDog, CloudWatch);

  • Experience with BDD, contract testing (Pact);

  • Familiarity with AWS: S3, DynamoDB, OpenSearch;

  • Exposure to security testing, performance testing, and regression strategies;

  • Knowledge of Docker containers.

Compensation & Benefits 
The Compensation range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. Please note that the actual compensation may vary depending on location and job-related factors such as qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location and you are selected for an interview, the Talent Acquisition Partner can share more information with you.  If the compensation structure for the role includes an incentive component (i.e. most Sales roles) the range below represents total target compensation (TTC) (base salary + variable).
 
$125,000 - $175,000 (CDN) a year
 
Position Type: New Position
 
 
 

Magnet is proud to offer benefits such as: 
 
- Generous time off policies 
- Competitive compensation 
- Volunteer opportunities  
- Reward and recognition programs   
- Employee committees & resource groups  
- Healthcare and retirement benefits 
 
Indicators of Success
 
We're looking for someone who checks off most, but not all, of the boxes listed in "skills and experiences".  It's more important to us to find candidates who can display indicators of success through skills they have developed and experiences they have been a part of, than to find folks who have "been there, done that".  We want to be part of your development journey, and we'll learn as much from you as you learn from us. 
 
How We Work
 
At Magnet Forensics, we take a hybrid-flexible approach to support your productivity and work-life balance. If you're within a comfortable travel distance to one of our offices, you'll occasionally join us in person. How often you'll come in depends on your department and team needs, typically ranging from weekly to monthly. These in-person moments help us build stronger connections, spark new ideas, and celebrate our successes together. Most days, you can choose what works best for you, while staying in tune with your team's goals.
 
We're excited to welcome you to our team and look forward to achieving great things together - both in the office and wherever you work best!
 
The Most Important Thing
 
We're looking for candidates that can provide examples of how they have demonstrated Magnet CODE in their previous experiences:
 
CARE - We care about each other and our mission to make a difference in the world.
OWN - We are accountable for our results - while never forgetting to act with integrity, empathy, and respect.
DEDICATE - We put our heart and soul into meeting the needs of our customers and helping them serve the people they protect.
EVOLVE - We are constantly innovating and exploring new ways to work together to make an impact with our work.
 
Here at Magnet Forensics, we are committed to continuous learning and are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. This commitment will be reflected in our hiring processes and embedded in our values and how we treat one another. If you're interested in this role, but do not meet all of the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply anyways.
 
Magnet Forensics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis forbidden under federal, provincial, or local law. We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible recruitment process and work environment. Accommodation is available to all applicants upon request throughout the hiring process. Please contact [email protected] should you require any accommodations.
 
All offers of employment at Magnet are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check. All background checks will be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws. Magnet will consider each position's job duties, among other factors, in determining what constitutes satisfactory completion of the background check. Refusal to consent to a background check may be grounds for revoking an offer of employment.
 
US Applicants: Magnet Forensics participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
 
Magnet Forensics handles and uses personal data of job applicants in line with its Recruitment Privacy Policy found here. 
Magnet does not use artificial intelligence (defined as a machine-based system that infers from input to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions) for screening, assessing, or selecting applicants. Should this practice change, we will update this disclosure accordingly.
apply for this job

Apply