ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Software Engineer Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apex Informatics

Software Engineer III

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$67.75 - $91.25/hr

Mountain View , CA, US, 2 days a week hybrid SDG Tuesday/Wed Top Skill Software Engineer Contractor, Python Qualifications: - A minimum of 5 years of professional experience specifically in Python ...

INSPYR Solutions

Embedded Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$70 - $80/hr

... Engineer Contractor with experience developing and supporting embedded software systems, over-the-air (OTA) update frameworks, and automated test environments. This role will focus on building and ...

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Atlanta, GA · 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.

New

INSPYR Solutions

Embedded Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$70 - $80/hr

US Citizen or Green Card Holders Position Summary We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer Contractor with experience developing and supporting embedded software systems, over-the-air (OTA ...

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Milwaukee, WI · 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.

New

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

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

New

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Tulsa, OK · On-site

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

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSoftware Engineer Contractor Jobs

Software Engineer Contractor information

See salary details

$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do software engineer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer contractor in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineer Contractor, you need advanced programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and a solid understanding of software development lifecycles, often backed by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with source control systems (like Git), cloud platforms, and project management tools, as well as proficiency in key programming languages, is typically required. Strong communication, adaptability, and self-motivation are essential soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and managing project-based workloads. These skills ensure high-quality deliverables, effective client communication, and successful navigation of varied contract environments.

How does the work structure and team integration typically differ for Software Engineer Contractors compared to full-time employees?

As a Software Engineer Contractor, you will often work on specific projects or deliverables within a defined contract period, which may mean less involvement in long-term planning or company-wide initiatives. Contractors are usually integrated into existing development teams, collaborating closely with full-time engineers, project managers, and QA staff, but may have less access to certain internal resources or benefits. While you can expect to contribute to daily stand-ups, code reviews, and agile sprints, the onboarding process and access to proprietary tools or systems may be streamlined for contractors. This role offers valuable exposure to diverse tech stacks and industries, and successful contracts can lead to extended engagements or full-time offers.

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

AspectSoftware Engineer ContractorSoftware Engineer Full-Time Employee
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree and technical skills; certifications optionalSame as contractor; often prefers ongoing professional development
Work EnvironmentProject-based, flexible hours, often remote or on-siteSteady, long-term employment, usually on-site or hybrid
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech, startups, consulting firmsStandard in large corporations, tech companies, and enterprises
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for short-term or project-based rolesSeeking stable, long-term employment

In summary, Software Engineer Contractors typically work on short-term projects with flexible schedules, while full-time employees enjoy ongoing employment and benefits. Both roles require similar skills and credentials but differ mainly in work arrangement and job stability.

What are Software Engineer Contractors?

Software Engineer Contractors are professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and maintain software applications. Unlike full-time employees, they typically work for a predetermined period or on specific projects for a company. Contractors may work independently or through contracting agencies and often have flexibility regarding work hours and location. Their expertise is sought after for specialized tasks, scaling development teams, or covering skill gaps within organizations.
More about Software Engineer Contractor jobs
What cities are hiring for Software Engineer Contractor jobs? Cities with the most Software Engineer Contractor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer Contractor jobs? The most popular types of Software Engineer Contractor jobs are:
What states have the most Software Engineer Contractor jobs? States with the most job openings for Software Engineer Contractor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Contractor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Contractor jobs are:
Software Engineer Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Engineer Contractor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.
Backend Senior Software Engineer - Contractor

Backend Senior Software Engineer - Contractor

Thrive Global

Remote

$125K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Thrive is a leading behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington in 2016 with the mission to end the stress and burnout epidemic. Thrive helps individuals and organizations improve well-being, performance and mental resilience with its AI-powered behavior change technology platform. Thrive's Microsteps - small, science-backed steps to improve health and productivity - have been adopted by employees at more than 125 organizations in over 140 countries, from frontline and call center workers to executives at multinational companies.
If you're not sure that you're 100% qualified, but this sounds like a role you would Thrive in - we want you to apply! We believe skills are transferable and passion for our mission goes a long way.
This is a high-impact role for a senior engineer who wants real ownership from day one. As a Senior Software Engineer (Contractor) at Thrive Global, you will own and evolve our enterprise platform end-to-end - responsible for both sustaining engineering (reliability, scalability, technical debt) and net-new feature development that directly supports our B2B customers and commercial growth.
You will start by working on our Coaching application, with the flexibility to move to other parts of the platform as priorities evolve. This is a fast-moving, lean environment, so we are looking for someone who brings the pragmatism of a startup - a bias to ship and iterate quickly - paired with the craft of an engineer who has seen the long-term cost of shortcuts. You will take ambiguous problems, break them into well-sized workstreams, and drive them to completion with minimal hand-holding.
How You'll Contribute
  • Own and evolve the enterprise platform end-to-end - responsible for both sustaining engineering (reliability, scalability, technical debt) and net-new feature development that directly supports B2B customers and commercial growth. You will start on our Coaching app and may shift to other areas of the platform as needs arise.
  • Independently scope and deliver medium-to-large projects - take an ambiguous problem, break it into well-sized workstreams, sequence the work, and drive it to completion with minimal hand-holding.
  • Partner closely with Product and stakeholders - translate business requirements into technical plans, surface trade-offs early, and keep cross-functional partners informed throughout delivery.
  • Set a high bar for quality without sacrificing pace - bring a bias to ship and iterate fast, balanced with the craft and judgment to avoid costly shortcuts.
  • Support reliability and incident response - provide on-call and incident support during US working hours to keep the platform healthy and customers supported.

Qualifications & Skills
  • Senior-level software engineering experience, with a track record of owning systems or products end-to-end in a production environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to scope and deliver medium-to-large projects independently, from ambiguous problem to shipped solution.
  • Strong full-stack in TypeScript, with experience balancing sustaining engineering (reliability, scalability, technical debt) and net-new feature development.
  • Experience building and supporting B2B / enterprise-facing software.
  • Comfort partnering directly with Product and non-technical stakeholders to translate requirements into technical plans.
  • Experience with on-call rotations and incident response.
  • Pragmatic, startup-minded approach - able to move fast and iterate while maintaining a high quality bar.
  • Requires meaningful daily overlap with the U.S. Eastern Time business hours, as well as sufficient overlap with the Ireland-based team to support collaboration and communication.
  • Available to start immediately and engage as a contractor.

Who You Are
A self-directed senior engineer who thrives with ownership and minimal oversight, and knows which decisions warrant a stakeholder check-in.
A pragmatic builder who blends startup speed with engineering craft - you ship and iterate, but you don't accumulate avoidable debt.
A clear communicator who surfaces trade-offs and risks early and keeps cross-functional partners aligned.
Energized by ambiguity - you can take a loosely defined problem and turn it into a sequenced, deliverable plan.
Reliable under pressure, with the judgment to keep systems stable and respond effectively when incidents arise.
Quality-obsessed without being precious - you set a high bar and still move the work forward.
What We Offer:
  • Mission-Driven Impact: Be part of a company that's truly making a difference in people's lives around the world.
  • Career Growth: Develop within the company and help shape our growth strategy.
  • Human-Centric Culture: Thrive in a supportive environment with a range of wellness perks and benefits.
  • Competitive Compensation: Enjoy a comprehensive and rewarding total compensation package.
  • Health & Financial Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage plus a 401(k) program with company match.
  • Time to Recharge: Generous paid time-off programs designed to help you rest, reset, and recharge - including Thrive Time, a benefit unique to Thrive that gives employees additional paid time off after major projects or intense periods of work to truly recharge and recover.

Compensation:
Compensation for this contract position is expected to fall within the range of $90-$125 per hour, depending on experience, expertise, and overall qualifications.
  • Please note that, as this is a contractor role, compensation will be provided on an hourly basis and the selected candidate will not be eligible for employee benefits, bonus programs, equity, or other company-sponsored benefit plans. The final hourly rate will be determined based on the candidate's background, experience, and market considerations.

Thrive is deeply committed to creating a safe and welcoming work environment free of discrimination and harassment so that all employees can bring their whole selves to work.
Thrive is proud to ensure equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family or parental status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Thrive is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. Please inform Thrive's Recruiting team if you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Apply