Principal Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Principal Engineer jobs in Alabama are concentrated in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Decatur, where defense contractors, aerospace firms, and heavy manufacturers anchor the market at every seniority level. Employers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon Technologies maintain long-term engineering operations in northern Alabama, driving consistent demand for principal engineers in systems engineering, propulsion, and software-defined platforms. The Huntsville corridor in particular ranks among the most active markets in the Southeast for senior technical leadership roles. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Job Description:
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer or Sr Principal Systems Engineer to join the Embedded Infrastructure Team supporting the development of mission-critical defense systems. This role bridges systems engineering, embedded software, and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to define, develop, integrate, and verify embedded computing platforms that enable net-generation capabilities. The successful candidate will have experience with Gitlab, Operating Systems, and/or COMMs to collaborate across software, hardware, cybersecurity, specialty engineering, and program leadership to develop digital engineering solutions and ensure robust system performance throughout the system lifecycle.
This requisition may be filled based on qualifications listed below:
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and manage system architectures, requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies using MBSE methodologies.
- Create and maintain SysML models using Cameo Systems Modeler (or equivalent MBSE tools).
- Collaborate with embedded software developers to ensure system architectures are effectively implemented.
- Define software and hardware interface requirements for embedded computing environments.
- Support digital engineering initiatives through model-based analysis, architecture development, and requirements traceability.
- Develop system verification and validation plans while ensuring complete requirements coverage.
- Partner with software, hardware, cybersecurity, reliability, system safety, and integration teams to resolve technical issues.
- Support Agile development using JIRA, Confluence, and configuration management tools.
- Participate in technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and SVR.
- Evaluate technical risk and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Mentor junior systems engineering best practices
Basic Qualifications
- Principal Engineer Systems (Level 3): 5 years with Bachelors in Science; 3 Years with asters; 1 Year with PhD
- Sr Principal Engineer Systems (Level 4): 8 years with Bachelors in Science; 6 Years with master’s or 3 years PHD
- Experience developing systems engineering products across the full system lifecycle.
- Experience supporting embedded software or embedded computing platforms.
- Experience with Model-Base Systems Engineering (MBSE).
- Experience using SysML and Cameo System Modeler (or similar modeling tools).
- Understanding software architecture, software integration, and interface development.
- Familiarity with requirements management tools.
- Experience working within Agile software development teams.
- Active Secret Security Clearance to Start.
Preferred Qualifications
- Digital Engineering experience.
- Embedded Linux or Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) knowledge.
- Software development experience using C++, Python, or Java.
- Experience with Git, GitLab, Jenkins, or CI/CD pipelines.
See All 91 Principal Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in Alabama
Where Alabama roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in Alabama
A snapshot from current Alabama openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman20

- KBR10

- Raytheon8

- MTSI7

- Gov Solutions6
What Alabama Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across Alabama.
- Active Alabama PE license or PE license recognized through Alabama reciprocity strongly preferred
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or a closely related technical discipline required
- Ten or more years of progressive engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and own end-to-end engineering design decisions
- Experience with defense, aerospace, or industrial manufacturing systems common in Alabama programs
- Strong background in systems integration, requirements development, or embedded software architecture
Principal Engineer Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in Alabama?
Most principal engineer roles in Alabama require a bachelor's degree in engineering plus a decade of progressive experience culminating in technical leadership. Many employers, particularly in defense and government contracting, expect candidates to hold or pursue a Professional Engineer license through the Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, which administers the PE exam in Alabama. Strong candidates also build a record of owning large-scope technical decisions and mentoring junior engineers.
Which companies hire principal engineers in Alabama?
Employers hiring principal engineers in Alabama right now include Northrop Grumman, KBR, and Raytheon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Alabama's heavy concentration of defense primes, aerospace integrators, and industrial manufacturers means openings appear consistently across Huntsville, the greater Birmingham metro, and established manufacturing corridors along the Tennessee River.
Which Alabama cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
The cities with the most principal engineer openings in Alabama are Huntsville, Alabama, and Birmingham. Huntsville dominates because of Redstone Arsenal, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and the dense cluster of defense contractors those installations attract, while Birmingham draws openings from its large healthcare systems, utilities, and manufacturing base, making even smaller metros in the region viable when large employers anchor local engineering teams.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in Alabama?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely software-focused fields because principal engineer work in Alabama often involves classified defense programs, physical lab environments, or on-site manufacturing oversight that require in-person presence. About 13% of principal engineer openings tied to Alabama are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to cluster in software architecture, systems analysis, and technical program management rather than hardware or propulsion disciplines.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in Alabama with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is to enter as an associate or staff engineer at one of Alabama's large defense or aerospace employers and advance through increasingly complex technical assignments. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and major federal contractors operating out of Huntsville run structured new-graduate and early-career programs that place engineers on long-cycle programs where they can build the depth the principal title requires. Pursuing your Engineer-in-Training certification through the Alabama Board of Licensure early signals commitment and accelerates eligibility for PE licensure, which opens doors to senior technical roles.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Alabama?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Alabama on Migrate Mate, which lists current Alabama openings updated in real time. Search the listings for roles that match your discipline and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 91 Principal Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer Jobs