Development Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Development Engineer jobs in Alabama are in steady demand, with the strongest hiring concentrated in aerospace and defense, automotive manufacturing, and advanced materials, at levels from early-career to senior principal. Huntsville, Birmingham, and Decatur are the leading metros for this role, anchored by major employers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. The most sought-after specialties in the state include propulsion systems development, powertrain and vehicle systems engineering, and process development for chemical and industrial manufacturing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
Leidos is seeking a Solid Propulsion Development Engineer to lead and oversee work on a hypersonics vehicle and other programs, joining a diverse team that develops propulsion systems for spacecraft, missile systems, and a wide range of critical technologies for civil, military, and commercial space programs. This individual will work in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team, interfacing with other project teams within Leidos as well as subcontractors to develop the solid propulsion system for a hypersonic vehicle.
Primary responsibilities:
- Serve as lead technical engineer for task focused on design and development of critical propulsion related hardware.
- Design, build, and test prototype solid rocket motor components.
- Understand and negotiate design elements with propulsion system suppliers.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other STEM degree from an ABET accredited university.
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in rocket propulsion development or test engineering roles, 6 years with a Master’s degree.
- Understanding of functional performance requirements as well as component designs for solid rocket motor applications.
- Experience in planning for and supporting ground testing of solid propulsion systems, including thermal characterization, environmental testing, and static firing.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct trade studies and develop analysis & evaluation tools.
- Knowledge of applicable standards and regulations, including manufacturing and testing policies and directives.
- Able to clearly write clear, concise, and comprehensive technical reports and present results to multi-disciplinary teams and customer stakeholders.
- Must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
- Active Secret security clearance required, with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance if needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar from an ABET accredited university.
- Development testing experience in a rapid iteration environment.
- Experience with DoD, NASA, or other aerospace development projects.
- Experience working with government test agencies
- Experience with free-jet test testing, especially for solid-fuel ramjet (SFRJ) systems.
- Experience with missile systems in a production environment.
- Project planning and scheduling, including selection and management of multiple suppliers.
- Active Top Secret clearance.
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 11, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
Pay and Benefits
Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.
Securing Your Data
Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
See All 15 Development Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer JobsDevelopment Engineer Jobs by City in Alabama
Where Alabama roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Engineer Job Market in Alabama
A snapshot from current Alabama openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Alabama Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development engineer jobs across Alabama.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or aerospace engineering from an accredited program
- Professional Engineer (PE) license issued or recognized by the Alabama State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors preferred for senior roles
- Hands-on experience with CAD software such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or AutoCAD
- Familiarity with design validation, testing protocols, and product lifecycle management processes
- Strong documentation skills and experience writing technical reports, specifications, and test plans
- Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance for defense and aerospace positions
Development Engineer Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development engineer in Alabama?
Most development engineer roles in Alabama require a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program. Senior and project-lead positions often expect or require a Professional Engineer license from the Alabama State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, which involves passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Defense and aerospace roles frequently also require eligibility for a federal security clearance.
How much do development engineers make in Alabama?
Development engineers in Alabama earn a median of about $135,030 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,750 for the lowest 10% to over $164,700 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire development engineers in Alabama?
Employers hiring development engineers in Alabama right now include Leidos, CVS Health, and Blue Origin, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Alabama's aerospace corridor around Huntsville and its growing automotive sector in the central and northern parts of the state are the two most consistent sources of ongoing openings.
Which Alabama cities have the most development engineer jobs?
Huntsville, Decatur, and Birmingham account for the largest share of development engineer openings in Alabama. Huntsville's concentration of defense contractors, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and aerospace manufacturers drives volume there, while Birmingham's industrial base and Decatur's chemical and manufacturing plants support consistent demand in those metros.
Are there remote development engineer jobs in Alabama?
Yes, but they're rare. Development engineering typically involves lab work, prototype testing, or factory-floor collaboration that requires on-site presence. About 0% of development engineer openings tied to Alabama are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in software-adjacent development roles or in project management and systems engineering functions rather than hands-on product or process work.
How can I get hired as a development engineer in Alabama with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to co-op or new-graduate programs at large Alabama employers. Boeing and Lockheed Martin both run structured early-career programs at their Huntsville facilities, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama hires associate engineers for process development roles on the production side. Completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam as an Engineer-in-Training strengthens any application, and candidates moving from adjacent roles such as manufacturing technician or quality engineer find the transition more straightforward than starting from an unrelated background.
Where can I find and apply to development engineer jobs in Alabama?
You can find and apply to development engineer jobs in Alabama on Migrate Mate, which lists current Alabama openings across aerospace, automotive, chemical, and defense employers. Search the available roles, find one that fits your background and location, and apply directly to the employer from the listing.
See All 15 Development Engineer Jobs in Alabama
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