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Software Engineer Contractor Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Lead Data Engineer

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$113K - $135K/yr

This role combines hands-on engineering, architectural ownership, and leadership of contracted data engineers, while continuously improving development velocity through disciplined architecture and ...

Lead Data Engineer

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$104K - $125K/yr

This role combines hands-on engineering, architectural ownership, and leadership of contracted data engineers, while continuously improving development velocity through disciplined architecture and ...

Your direct reports will be located at the Lafayette, Pearl and Knoxville, Tennessee facilities with some remote employees and contractors. Regarding the Software Solutions Business, you will work in ...

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Showing results 1-20

Software Engineer Contractor information

See Indiana salary details

$60.4K

$140.4K

$195.5K

How much do software engineer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer contractor in Indiana is $140,378.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,200.00 and $164,600.00 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 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.

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.

Infographic showing various Software Engineer Contractor job openings in Indiana as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 86% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,378 per year, or $67.5 per hour.

Lead Data Engineer

Lasting Change, Inc

Fort Wayne, IN • On-site

$113K - $135K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

General Statement of Responsibility
The Lead Data Engineer plays a critical role in designing, building, and stewarding Petra, Lasting Change's enterprise data lakehouse platform built on Microsoft Fabric. This position is responsible for delivering reliable, high-quality, and well-governed data assets that enable analytics, reporting, and data-driven decision-making across the organization.
The Lead Data Engineer partners closely with analysts, leadership, and other stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable data solutions. This role combines hands-on engineering, architectural ownership, and leadership of contracted data engineers, while continuously improving development velocity through disciplined architecture and intentional use of AI-assisted development.
Requirements
Major Responsibilities / Activities
Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Own and manage Petra, the organization's Microsoft Fabric-based data lakehouse.
  • Design, build, and maintain robust ETL/ELT pipelines that curate high-quality, trusted datasets.
  • Implement and enforce Medallion Architecture standards (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
  • Ensure data reliability, performance, scalability, and governance across the platform.
  • Integrate data from multiple internal and external systems using Azure-native services.

Analytics & Reporting Enablement
  • Partner with analysts and stakeholders to deliver robust data products that serve business needs.
  • Develop analytical and dimensional data models optimized for reporting and self-service analytics.
  • Build and maintain Power BI semantic models, reports, and dashboards as needed.
  • Ensure datasets are well-documented, discoverable, and reliable for downstream use.

AI-Accelerated Development
  • Design and curate an AI-assisted engineering workflow that provides system context to:
  • Generate the majority of transformation and pipeline code upfront
  • Assist with documentation, testing, and pull requests
  • Increase overall development velocity and consistency
  • Continuously refine AI usage patterns while maintaining quality, security, and governance standards.

Leadership & System Ownership
  • Potential to lead and oversee contracted or W2 data engineers, providing clear architectural, coding, and documentation standards.
  • Review work products for quality, performance, and adherence to established patterns.
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation covering data logic, ETL processes, and system architecture.
  • Demonstrate strong ownership of the data platform, treating it as a long-term system of record.

Collaboration & Communication
  • Gather and refine requirements for assigned data initiatives.
  • Communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Translate business needs into scalable, maintainable data solutions.

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
  • Use of Fingers
  • Feeling
  • Speaking
  • Hearing
  • Repetitive Motions
  • Capable of making sound decisions by using reasonable and logical judgments.
  • Demonstrated competence in understanding, interpreting, and communicating procedures, policies, information, ideas, and instructions.

Travel
Travel may be required occasionally to subsidiary sites and training opportunities.
Required Experience
  • 7-10+ years of professional experience in data engineering, ETL orchestration, and multi-system data integration.
  • Strong experience with Azure data platforms, with a preference for Microsoft Fabric; experience with Azure Synapse Analytics and Azure Data Factory acceptable.
  • Deep understanding of data lakes, data warehouses, and lakehouse architectures.
  • Demonstrated expertise in Medallion Architecture design and implementation.
  • High proficiency in Python, PySpark, Spark SQL, Delta Lake, and T-SQL.
  • Strong data modeling and dimensional modeling experience to support analytics and reporting.
  • Experience collaborating with stakeholders to gather requirements and deliver data solutions.
  • Demonstrated use of AI tools to enhance development, code quality, documentation, and delivery velocity.
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to advancing the organization's mission.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience building and maintaining Power BI reports and semantic models.
  • Microsoft or other cloud platform certifications.
  • Experience leading or mentoring other data engineers, particularly contractors.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.