[Davertron]

Maybe infosec or cyber security would be similar? I'm a fullstack turned mostly FE developer these days, but I'm very interested in security and it seems like there is a lot of demand out there for that skill set and plenty of opportunity. It seems like it would push a lot of the same buttons that you mentioned (fixing broken systems, lots of autonomy, working with smart folks). I tend to get bored with long-term projects unless there are still interesting problems to be solved so working on lots of smaller projects sounds pretty appealing, and there's seemingly no end to new systems/devices/websites that are just riddled with holes. Seems like a perfect role and potentially more lucrative than IT (although this is just pure guessing, I haven't compared numbers).

[gmanis]

I have explored security world too. Lots of experiments with reversing tools like IDAPro, ollydbg.

Recently a client asked if I can help reverse their own android app because the developers were holding their source code hostage. It was lots of fun and lots of struggle but overall satisfying.

Maybe something like basic security freelance work especially basic webapp security(xss,sqli,csrf, the likes) and some process security with maintaining proper logins, maintaining and rotating credentials etc.

Thank you for your ideas.