Principal Designer Jobs in Alabama

Principal Designer jobs in Alabama are most active in the architecture, engineering, and manufacturing sectors, with demand ranging from mid-career professionals to senior leads overseeing complex built-environment and product development projects. The largest concentrations of openings are in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Mobile, where employers like Jacobs, Tetra Tech, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham maintain consistent hiring for design leadership roles. The most in-demand specialties in Alabama include systems design, architectural project management, and UX design tied to defense and aerospace programs. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles59
Top employerAustal
Top cityBirmingham, AL
Cities hiring19
Work type71% On-site
Top industryManufacturing

Showing 5 of 59+ Principal Designer jobs

Jacksonville State University
University Student Assistant - Graphic Designer for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences (Fall 2026)
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Jacksonville State University
New 1m ago
University Student Assistant - Graphic Designer for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences (Fall 2026)
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Security & Protective Services
501-1,000

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Austal
Mechanical Designer III - Pipe
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Austal
New 1m ago
Mechanical Designer III - Pipe
Austal
Mobile, Alabama
Compliance & Risk
Engineering (Non-Software)
Quality Control
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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PeopleTec
Graphic Designer / Illustrator / Visual Communications SME
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PeopleTec
New 1m ago
Graphic Designer / Illustrator / Visual Communications SME
PeopleTec
Huntsville, Alabama
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in digital media
501-1,000

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C
Training Developer Ii / Instructional Designer
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C
New 1m ago
Training Developer Ii / Instructional Designer
Cab Tek
Birmingham, Alabama
Business Development
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in communications

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Austal
Mechanical Designer II-Machinery
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Austal
New 1m ago
Mechanical Designer II-Machinery
Austal
Mobile, Alabama
Compliance & Risk
Engineering (Non-Software)
Quality Control
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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See All 59 Principal Designer Jobs in Alabama

Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Principal Designer Jobs by City in Alabama

Where Alabama roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Birmingham
17 jobs
Mobile
9 jobs
Huntsville
9 jobs
Daphne
3 jobs
Auburn
2 jobs
Decatur
2 jobs
Montgomery
2 jobs
Gulf Shores
2 jobs
Russellville
2 jobs

Principal Designer Job Market in Alabama

A snapshot from current Alabama openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Austal
    Austal7
  • Quanta Services
    Quanta Services3
  • 4P Consulting
    4P Consulting3
  • Akima
    Akima2
  • Leisure Creations
    Leisure Creations2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Manufacturing3
  • Technology & Software3
  • Construction & Real Estate3
  • Consulting & Professional Services3
  • Education1

What Alabama Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in principal designer jobs across Alabama.

  • Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or a related design discipline required
  • Professional license such as AIA registration or PE preferred for built-environment roles in Alabama
  • Seven or more years of progressive design experience with a demonstrated leadership portfolio
  • Proficiency in industry tools including Revit, AutoCAD, or Adobe Creative Suite
  • Experience leading cross-functional design teams and coordinating with client stakeholders
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to present design rationale to technical and executive audiences

Principal Designer Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a principal designer in Alabama?

Becoming a principal designer in Alabama typically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in architecture, engineering, industrial design, or a related field, followed by several years of progressive experience. For built-environment roles, the Alabama Board of Architecture oversees licensure, and holding an AIA credential or a professional engineering license strengthens candidacy significantly. For product or UX-focused roles, a strong portfolio and demonstrated project leadership carry more weight than formal state credentials.

Which companies hire principal designers in Alabama?

Alabama principal designer roles are posted by Austal, Quanta Services, and 4P Consulting and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Alabama's defense, aerospace, and healthcare infrastructure make it a consistent market for design leadership at large engineering firms and anchor institutions.

Which Alabama cities have the most principal designer jobs?

Birmingham, Mobile, and Huntsville have the most principal designer openings in Alabama right now. Huntsville leads due to its dense concentration of defense contractors and aerospace firms along the Cummings Research Park corridor, while Birmingham's large healthcare systems and regional engineering firms drive steady demand, and Mobile's industrial and port-related development supports ongoing design project leadership needs.

Are there remote principal designer jobs in Alabama?

Yes, though they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since principal designers frequently lead on-site teams and client meetings. About 29% of principal designer openings tied to Alabama are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting a market that leans toward hybrid arrangements. The portions of the role most compatible with remote work include concept development, documentation, and stakeholder presentations.

How can I get hired as a principal designer in Alabama with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is targeting associate or junior designer roles at Alabama's large engineering and architecture firms, where you can build toward a principal title through mentorship and project exposure. Firms like Jacobs and large Birmingham-based practices often bring in junior designers who rotate across project types. Completing licensure steps through the Alabama Board of Architecture, building a portfolio of independent or academic projects, and pursuing adjacent roles such as project coordinator or design technician can open the door to principal-track positions.

Where can I find and apply to principal designer jobs in Alabama?

You can find and apply to principal designer jobs in Alabama on Migrate Mate, which lists current Alabama openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and experience level, and apply directly through each listing.

See All 59 Principal Designer Jobs in Alabama

Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Principal Designer Jobs