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Software Engineer Contractor Jobs in Oceanside, CA

G2IT

Lead Software & AI Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$225K/yr

Lead Software & AI Engineer Position Overview G2IT is seeking a highly skilled Lead Software & AI ... Collaborate with government and contractor stakeholders to define technical requirements and ...

G2IT

Lead Software & AI Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$225K/yr

Lead Software & AI Engineer Position Overview G2IT is seeking a highly skilled Lead Software & AI ... Collaborate with government and contractor stakeholders to define technical requirements and ...

Socket.dev

Lead Software & AI Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$185 - $200/hr

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in software engineering, cloud-native ... Collaborate with government and contractor stakeholders to define technical requirements and ...

New

SeeScan

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$105K - $155K/yr

About this position SeeScan is seeking a Software Engineer with strong experience in embedded Linux ... We are looking for a long-term, in-house teammate to join us, not a contractor or consultant. In ...

ATA Engineering, Inc

Engineering Software Programmer

CA · On-site

$85K - $125K/yr

ATA is seeking engineers who like to develop software. The successful candidate will be detail ... No contractors or part-time applications will be accepted. * Excellent verbal and written ...

General Atomics

Software Developer VII

Poway, CA · On-site

$140K - $252K/yr

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. is a defense contractor leading the way in unmanned ... Experience with model-based software engineering. * Broad understanding of software design patterns ...

K2 Staffing, LLC

Cabinet Vision Engineer

Carlsbad, CA

$100K/yr

They partner with general contractors, architects, and designers to deliver high-quality millwork ... Develop detailed shop drawings using Cabinet Vision software. * Engineer custom architectural ...

K2 Staffing

Cabinet Vision Engineer

Carlsbad, CA

We partner with general contractors, architects, and designers to deliver high-quality millwork ... Develop detailed shop drawings using Cabinet Vision software. * Engineer custom architectural ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsSoftware Engineer Contractor JobsSoftware Engineer Contractor Jobs in Oceanside, CA

Software Engineer Contractor information

See Oceanside, CA salary details

$65.7K

$152.6K

$212.6K

How much do software engineer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer contractor in Oceanside, CA is $152,618.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,100.00 and $179,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software engineer contractor?

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 is a software engineer contractor?

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 Oceanside, CA? For Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Oceanside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Oceanside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Oceanside, CA are:
What cities near Oceanside, CA are hiring for Software Engineer Contractor jobs? Cities near Oceanside, CA with the most Software Engineer Contractor job openings:
Software Engineer Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Engineer Contractor job openings in Oceanside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,618 per year, or $73.4 per hour.

Lead Software & AI Engineer

G2IT

San Diego, CA • On-site

$225K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Lead Software & AI Engineer

Position Overview

G2IT is seeking a highly skilled Lead Software & AI Engineer to support mission-critical Department of Defense initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in software engineering, cloud-native application development, DevSecOps, and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) integration within operational environments.

This position requires a technical leader capable of designing, developing, and deploying advanced software solutions while integrating Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Large Language Models (LLMs) into secure enterprise and mission systems.

Security Clearance Requirements

  • Active Top Secret/SCI clearance or TS/SCI eligibility with a completed Tier 5 investigation at the time of submission.

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum five (5) years of hands-on experience developing and supporting microservices-based architectures.
  • Minimum five (5) years of experience with containerized applications and Kubernetes-based environments.
  • Demonstrated experience developing, integrating, or deploying Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and/or Large Language Models (LLMs) within operational systems.
  • DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II certification and/or intermediate proficiency baseline certification for Cyber Workforce Framework (CSWF) approval, such as:
    • Security+ CE
    • CySA+
    • Equivalent approved certification
  • Strong understanding of secure software development practices and DevSecOps methodologies.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development, integration, and deployment of cloud-native software solutions supporting mission-critical operations.
  • Architect and implement AI/ML and LLM-enabled capabilities within enterprise and operational systems.
  • Design and develop scalable microservices and APIs using modern software engineering practices.
  • Collaborate with government and contractor stakeholders to define technical requirements and deliver innovative solutions.
  • Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to development and engineering teams.
  • Support system modernization efforts through automation, cloud adoption, and DevSecOps best practices.
  • Ensure security, scalability, reliability, and maintainability across all software solutions.

Technical Requirements

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

  • Experience developing, integrating, and operationalizing:
    • Machine Learning models
    • Artificial Intelligence solutions
    • Large Language Models (LLMs)
    • AI-enabled workflows and applications
  • Familiarity with modern AI frameworks, model deployment, inference pipelines, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architectures is highly desirable.

Containerization & Orchestration

  • Experience implementing and managing containerized applications using:
    • Docker
    • Podman
    • Buildah
  • Experience designing and maintaining orchestration platforms utilizing:
    • Kubernetes
    • OpenShift
    • Helm

DevSecOps & CI/CD

  • Experience developing and optimizing CI/CD pipelines using:
    • GitLab
    • Jenkins
    • AWS CodeBuild
  • Strong understanding of automated testing, deployment, and release management processes.

Infrastructure as Code & Automation

  • Experience automating infrastructure provisioning and configuration management using:
    • Terraform
    • Ansible
    • AWS CloudFormation
  • Experience implementing repeatable and scalable infrastructure solutions.

Linux Systems Administration

  • Experience administering and supporting Linux-based environments including:
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
    • CentOS
    • Ubuntu

Scripting & Automation

  • Experience creating automation tools and operational scripts using:
    • Bash
    • Python
    • PowerShell

Cloud Platforms

  • Experience designing, deploying, and maintaining applications and infrastructure within:
    • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
    • Microsoft Azure

Software Development

  • Experience developing full-stack applications utilizing:
    • Java
    • Python
    • TypeScript
    • React
    • SQL

Agile & Collaboration Tools

  • Experience supporting Agile development teams using:
    • Jira
    • Confluence
    • Bitbucket
  • Experience with source code control, documentation, and project management best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or federal government programs.
  • Experience implementing AI/ML capabilities in classified or secure environments.
  • Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure).
  • Kubernetes, OpenShift, Terraform, or DevSecOps certifications.
  • Experience leading software development teams and technical modernization initiatives.

Salary: $200- 225k depending on experience 

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