Contract Software Engineer jobs in ManchesterAi Powered
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Lead Software Engineer Python - £500 per day
Ashdown Group
Work location not available
Level not available
Sponsorship not available
2025-09-15
7 Applicants
Lead Software Engineer
GTC Recruitment Limited
Salary not available
Work location not available
Level not available
Sponsorship not available
2025-09-12
2 Applicants
Full stack Software Engineer - 5 Month Contract - Manchester
Adecco
Salary not available
Work location not available
Level not available
Sponsorship not available
2025-08-19
3 Applicants
Software Engineer
Jobwise
Work location not available
Level not available
Sponsorship not available
2025-07-25
0 Applicants
Software Engineer
Manchester’s thriving tech scene means plenty of short- and medium-term projects for contractors, from fintech platforms to large-scale cloud migrations. With jobwise, upload your CV and our AI parses your skills to match you to relevant Contract Software Engineer roles in seconds. Set alerts, refine filters and apply quickly to secure your next engagement.
Overview of Software Engineer opportunities in Manchester
Software Engineers in Manchester build and maintain applications across fintech, e‑commerce, healthtech, gaming, telecoms and the public sector. Typical work spans cloud-native builds, microservices, data platforms, web and mobile apps, DevOps automation and security-led engineering. Demand continues to grow as organisations modernise stacks, adopt AI/ML and scale digital services.
jobwise streamlines your search by analysing your CV, surfacing roles that match your languages, frameworks and domain experience. Our platform highlights the best-fit opportunities and keeps you informed with smart alerts so you spend less time searching and more time contracting.
What to expect from Contract work
Contract roles offer flexibility and the potential for higher day rates, typically tied to project deliverables rather than permanent headcount. You’ll usually work via umbrella or limited company, with IR35 status determining tax treatment. Contracts commonly run 3–12 months with extensions based on project scope.
Expect clear milestones, rapid onboarding and autonomy. Pay is commonly weekly or fortnightly. Many Manchester clients offer hybrid patterns, with on-site collaboration for sprint planning or key workshops. jobwise lets you filter by contract length, day rate, IR35 status, on-site expectations and tech stack to quickly find the right brief.
Pay, working hours and long-term career growth
In Manchester, mid-level Contract Software Engineers typically command £350–£550 per day, while senior/lead contractors can see £550–£750+ depending on stack (e.g., AWS, Kubernetes, .NET, Java, Node/TypeScript) and sector (fintech and consultancy often pay more). Working hours are usually 35–40 per week, with occasional overtime during delivery peaks; some roles pay enhanced rates for out-of-hours or on-call work.
Career growth for contractors comes from stacking high-impact projects: e.g., moving from feature delivery to architecture, platform engineering, or leading squads. With jobwise data, you can spot high-paying clients, stacks in demand and projects that build your portfolio—helping you step into senior engineering, technical leadership or solution architecture.
Key skills and requirements
- Technical: Proficiency in one or more of Java, C#, Python, Go or JavaScript/TypeScript; frameworks such as .NET, Spring, Node.js, React or Angular; cloud services (AWS/Azure/GCP); CI/CD (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps); containers and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes); relational and NoSQL databases; APIs and microservices; TDD/BDD and automated testing.
- Soft skills: Clear communication, agile delivery, stakeholder management, problem-solving, documentation and mentoring.
- Certifications/licences: AWS Certified Developer/Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure Developer Associate, Google Professional Cloud Developer, Scrum Master/PO; security clearance (SC) for some public sector roles; right to work in the UK.
- Transferable skills: Data modelling, performance tuning, security-first design, DevOps mindset—jobwise highlights these from your CV to broaden matching beyond exact job titles.
How jobwise makes finding Contract Software Engineer jobs in Manchester easier
Upload your CV and jobwise instantly parses skills, tools and achievements to recommend matching vacancies. Use precise filters for stack, day rate, IR35, hybrid/on-site, and contract length. Set job alerts, save searches and track applications from one dashboard to reduce time-to-offer.
Why consider Software Engineer roles in Manchester?
- Vibrant tech ecosystem with scale-ups, consultancies and enterprise digital hubs offering continuous contract demand.
- Strong day-rate potential with hybrid working and affordable cost of living relative to London.
- jobwise’s AI ensures you see relevant contracts fast, so fewer missed opportunities and quicker project starts.
Ready to find Contract Software Engineer jobs in Manchester?
Browse live Contract Software Engineer jobs in Manchester and get matched instantly with jobwise’s AI-powered CV matcher. Apply today and take the next step in your career.