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Software Engineer Contractor Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Emergent Software

Lead Software Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site +1

$140K - $160K/yr

... contractors. * Own production systems for partner APIs, including monitoring, observability ... software applications, including experience leading or mentoring engineers. * Deep experience ...

Collabera

Sr. Software Engineer

Eagan, MN

$124K - $164K/yr

In 2015 we placed more than 6,000 contractors across select 100+ clients that we service. End ... Title: Sr. Software Engineer Location: Eagan, MN 55123 Duration: 6 Months (Possibility of a long ...

Collabera

Software developer

Eagan, MN

In 2015 we placed more than 6,000 contractors across select 100+ clients that we service. End ... Position Details: Title: Software Engineer Location: Eagan, MN 55123 Duration: 6 Months ...

Collabera

Software Engineer-Sr

Eagan, MN

$124K - $164K/yr

In 2015 we placed more than 6,000 contractors across select 100+ clients that we service. End ... and maintenance of software systems Create and execute testing to ensure software meets ...

Apex Systems

Senior Firmware Software Engineer

Eagan, MN · On-site

$121K - $161K/yr

Job#: 3037081 Senior Firmware Software Engineer Location: Eagan, Minnesota (On-site) Role Overview ... and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply.

US Bank

AI/ML Enablement Lead Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$107K - $140K/yr

Provide technical leadership to engineers, contractors, and delivery teams. * Guide architecture, design, and implementation decisions related to AI and software engineering. * Present AI ...

US Bank

AI/ML Enablement Lead Engineer

Hopkins, MN · On-site

$104K - $137K/yr

Provide technical leadership to engineers, contractors, and delivery teams. * Guide architecture, design, and implementation decisions related to AI and software engineering. * Present AI ...

Apex Systems

AI Engineer

Maple Grove, MN · On-site

We are looking for a versatile Software Engineer with AWS experience who can contribute across both ... and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply.

Apex Systems

Software Developer

Hopkins, MN · On-site

Job#: 3040879 Software Developer Location: Hopkins, Minnesota (Onsite) Role Overview We are seeking ... and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply.

Autodesk

$106K - $138K/yr

Your skills span test strategy, automation, and a little MLOps, with a strong software engineering ... Are you an existing contractor or consultant with Autodesk? Please search for open jobs and apply ...

Meyer Contracting

Field Engineer

Maple Grove, MN

Meyer Contracting Inc., is seeking qualified applicants for a Field Engineer to join our team. Team ... Perform bid takeoffs and use Agtek Software to do modeling and dirt takeoffs. * Monitor and report ...

Meyer Contracting

Field Engineer

Maple Grove, MN · On-site

$68K - $85K/yr

Meyer Contracting Inc., is seeking qualified applicants for a Field Engineer to join our team. Team ... Perform bid takeoffs and use Agtek Software to do modeling and dirt takeoffs. * Monitor and report ...

Meyer Contracting Inc

Field Engineer

Osseo, MN

Meyer Contracting Inc., is seeking qualified applicants for a Field Engineer to join our team. Team ... Perform bid takeoffs and use Agtek Software to do modeling and dirt takeoffs. * Monitor and report ...

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All JobsSoftware Engineer Contractor JobsSoftware Engineer Contractor Jobs in Minnesota

Software Engineer Contractor information

See Minnesota salary details

$62.2K

$144.5K

$201.3K

How much do software engineer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer contractor in Minnesota is $144,486.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $169,400.00 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.
What are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Minnesota? For Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Software Engineer Contractor jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Software Engineer Contractor job openings:
Software Engineer Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Engineer Contractor job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 77% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,486 per year, or $69.5 per hour.
Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer

Emergent Software

Minneapolis, MN • On-site, Remote

$140K - $160K/yr

Full-time

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

Job description

**This position is a direct hire for one of our clients. This is a remote position. Eligible candidates must currently reside in the US and authorized to work in the US without visa sponsorship.**
Our client is seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Lead Software Engineer to play a pivotal role in building and scaling a new API platform that will support strategic integrations with external SaaS partners. This is a unique opportunity to help define the technical vision, lead platform development efforts, and build a high-impact engineering function from the ground up. The role combines technical leadership, software architecture, and cross-functional collaboration in a highly visible initiative that will directly support business growth.
Primary Duties
  • Lead the design, development, and evolution of a partner-facing API platform.
  • Architect and maintain a well-versioned, secure, and developer-friendly public API surface with a focus on backward compatibility, authentication, rate limiting, and documentation.
  • Define and implement API architecture, standards, and best practices.
  • Provide hands-on technical leadership through architecture guidance, code reviews, mentoring, and engineering best practices.
  • Own the long-term technical strategy and roadmap for the platform.
  • Collaborate closely with product managers, project managers, and engineering teams across multiple platforms.
  • Lead and coordinate the work of distributed engineering resources, including international contractors.
  • Own production systems for partner APIs, including monitoring, observability, incident response, alerting, performance optimization, reliability, and operational readiness.
  • Drive integration efforts with external SaaS platforms and partners.
  • Help establish engineering processes, technical direction, and team standards as the platform grows.
  • Break down complex initiatives into actionable workstreams and translate business requirements and acceptance criteria into technical deliverables.
  • Develop project plans, coordinate resources, and drive timely delivery of key initiatives.
  • Contribute to architecture and technical decision-making across services and platforms developed in multiple programming languages.
  • Serve as both a technical leader and hands-on contributor during the initial build phase.
Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience developing web-based software applications, including experience leading or mentoring engineers.
  • Deep experience designing, securing, documenting, and operating REST APIs, including authentication, versioning, and lifecycle management.
  • Strong experience managing and supporting production systems.
  • Hands-on experience with AWS services, particularly API Gateway, ECS, and related cloud-native technologies.
  • Strong TypeScript development experience.
  • Demonstrated technical leadership and project coordination experience.
  • Ability to quickly become productive in unfamiliar codebases and technology stacks.
  • Experience managing live customer-facing systems, including monitoring, observability, incident response, and reliability engineering.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Nice to Have Skills
  • Experience working across multiple backend languages such as C#, Java, Go, Python, Ruby, Node.js, or TypeScript.
  • Experience designing and delivering public, partner-facing, or developer-focused APIs and supporting developer documentation.
  • Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools such as Terraform, CloudFormation, or AWS CDK.
  • Experience working within Agile, Scrum, or Kanban environments.
  • Experience with test automation, contract testing, and test-driven development.
  • SaaS platform experience.
  • Familiarity with web application security and API security best practices.
  • Experience leading distributed or global engineering teams.
Our Vetting Process
At Emergent Staffing, we work hard to find the best people capable of delivering high-quality services to our clients. If you think you're one of those, please understand that the effort put into this by people like yourself helps us be successful in surrounding you with other top-notch people. Here are the steps of our vetting process for this position:
  1. Application (5 minutes)
  2. Online Assessment (40-60 minutes)
  3. Initial Video Interview (45 minutes)
  4. Hiring Manager Phone Interview (30 minutes)
  5. Hiring Manager Video Interview (60 minutes)
  6. Hiring Team Interview
  7. Job Offer!

Eligible candidates must reside in one of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, or Wisconsin
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