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Software Engineer Contractor Jobs in Syracuse, NY

Quality Engineer [C]

North Syracuse, NY · On-site

$67K - $86K/yr

As a Quality Engineer contractor, you will ensure products and services meet customer expectations ... Skill - Be able to analyze data using statistical tools and software. * Skill - Demonstrate ...

As a Quality Engineer contractor, you will ensure products and services meet customer expectations ... Skill - Be able to analyze data using statistical tools and software. * Skill - Demonstrate ...

Quality Engineer [C]

North Syracuse, NY · On-site

$67K - $86K/yr

As a Quality Engineer contractor, you will ensure products and services meet customer expectations ... Skill - Be able to analyze data using statistical tools and software. * Skill - Demonstrate ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Director, Software Engineering

Cicero, NY · On-site

$189K - $255K/yr

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Director, Software Engineering

Nedrow, NY · On-site

$189K - $255K/yr

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Director, Software Engineering

Fulton, NY · On-site

$189K - $255K/yr

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical ... Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for ...

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Showing results 1-20

Software Engineer Contractor information

See Syracuse, NY salary details

$62.5K

$145.2K

$202.2K

How much do software engineer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer contractor in Syracuse, NY is $145,185.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,100.00 and $170,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Syracuse, NY?

For Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Syracuse, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Syracuse, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Syracuse, NY are:

What cities near Syracuse, NY are hiring for Software Engineer Contractor jobs?

Cities near Syracuse, NY with the most Software Engineer Contractor job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Engineer Contractor job openings in Syracuse, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,185 per year, or $69.8 per hour.

$82K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Huntington Ingalls Industries rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,990 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Requisition Number: 29234
Required Travel: 0 - 10%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $82,326.00 - $160,000.00
Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain
Level of Experience: Mid
This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII's Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems.
HII works within our nation's intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners.
Leadership Mindset at HII - Mission Technologies
Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every employee grows, leads, and contributes-regardless of role. It sets the standard for how you can develop yourself and what you can expect from leaders across our organization. We look for candidates who want to grow in alignment with these capabilities:
  • Know & Grow Your People - Commit to learning and supporting team success.
  • Build Relationships - Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
  • Take Ownership - Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
  • Customer First - Focus on the mission and those we serve.
  • Shape the Future - Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
  • Act with Urgency - Take initiative and follow through with purpose.

These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.
Job Description
HII, Mission Technologies is seeking self-motivated, talented Software Engineers to design, develop, and test command, control, and communications software for leading edge ISR, SDR, and EW DoD products. This position will be located in Syracuse, New York.
Candidates will be expected to integrate into our multi-disciplinary teams to provide best-in-class solutions and products to a diverse customer baseline with a demanding and intriguing technical problem space. From high-level, self-hosted User Interface software and networking down to low-level Operating System or bare-metal software/drivers running on System-on-a-Chip CPUs/FPGAs/GPUs. HII offers an array of software development opportunities at all layers of the stack for rapid prototypes, new product design, and fielded hardware that protect and support the American warfighter and our nation's interests.
Software Engineer 2 - $82,000 - $130,000
Software Engineer 3 - $101,000 - $160,000
Essential Job Responsibilities
  • Participate in all phases of software lifecycle, from requirements definition through design, development, integration, and test with minimal supervision.
  • Apply state-of-the-art programming techniques, software design best practices, and software technologies.
  • Analyze and modify software systems by reverse-engineering, architecting, coding, installing, testing, debugging, and documenting designs/APIs.
  • Stand up development environment and platform application environment from scratch.
  • Guide customers and systems engineers in formulating software requirements, advise on alternative approaches, and conduct feasibility studies, as required.
  • Prepare and communicate daily status information in accordance with required software development lifecycles.
  • Independently derives requirements into actionable tasks.
  • Follow all company policies and guidelines, including familiarity with company-wide software practices.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Software Engineer 2: 2 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 0 years experience with Masters in related field
  • Software Engineer 3: 5 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 3 years relevant experience with Masters in related field
  • Proficient in various embedded programming languages (e.g. Embedded C/C++, C/C++)
  • Proficient in common procedural/scripting languages and object definition files (Python, Bash, MATLAB, JavaScript, JSON, XML)
  • Proficient in industry-standard software documentation methods such as user stories, UML, Agile and supporting tools such as Doxygen, Bamboo, JIRA
  • Experience with Linux kernel modules, Linux source code, and device trees
  • Experience building the Linux kernel from scratch (Yocto, Buildroot)
  • Experience debugging kernel drivers
  • Experience with Power BI
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a secret government security clearance.

Preferred Requirements
  • Currently hold a U.S. security clearance.
  • Experience in the DoD contractor space, especially maritime.
  • Experience with the Rust programming language
  • Experience with first stage and second stage bootloaders (Das U-Boot and custom microcode)
  • Experience with communications and networking libraries in embedded Linux (e.g. networking stacks, Protocol Buffers/Protobuf/data serialization).
  • Experience in leading junior software engineers.
  • Passionate about protecting the American warfighter.
  • Experience with RF communication links and/or radio systems

The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.
Meet HII's Mission Technologies Division
Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe. Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense - the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers. Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that's right for you. Apply today. We look forward to meeting you.
To learn more about Mission Technologies, click here for a short video: https://vimeo.com/732533072
HII is more than a job - it's an opportunity to build a new future. We offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.
Why HII
We build the world's most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America's top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you'll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.

Working at Huntington Ingalls Industries

About Huntington Ingalls Industries, in their own words

From Huntington Ingalls Industries

Our 44,000-strong team includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence and machine learning experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals. Recognized as one of America's top large employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Here you'll find a collaborative environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs that span our shipbuilding apprentice schools in Virginia and Mississippi to tuition reimbursement programs that support continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Our values of integrity, safety, respect, engagement, responsibility and performance are the foundation of HII's ethical culture that inspires employees to do the right thing each day, regardless of the circumstances.


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