How to work in academic research as an outsider/experienced software engineer? I would like to have advice on how a software engineer with a decent (>10 years) of industry experience can join a team doing academic research in the areas of physics, chemistry, biology or climate science. I am curious if there exists software engineer positions in these types of projects without having domain-specific knowledge or an advanced degree.

Is it necessary to be pursuing an academic degree such as a Masters/PhD or to have one already? 

As I have never worked in academia before, I am looking for an insider perspective on this.
Yes, it's possible, though the opportunities are likely to be somewhat rare, and might require specialist knowledge within software engineering just like you'd expect in your industry jobs.

Your work would likely be in more of a support role, though. Rather than driving the research project you'd be using your software expertise to write custom software or manage data. I disagree a bit with @Buffy on the scope of project that would hire software engineers; there are much smaller projects that can make use of programming skills, and in the past my small research group has had a share of a programmer's time.

I would recommend you start by looking at job postings at universities near you (or where you would like to live). 

Expect salaries that are below what you would expect for your level of experience outside academia, and that many positions will be fixed-term.