Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Senior Software Development Engineer jobs in Alabama are concentrated in Huntsville, Birmingham, and the greater Montgomery corridor, where employers like Leidos, SAIC, and Raytheon Technologies maintain long-standing engineering centers tied to defense, aerospace, and federal contracts. Demand is strongest in embedded systems, cloud-native development, and DevSecOps, with additional growth in financial technology coming out of Birmingham. The market rewards engineers at the staff and principal levels who can lead architecture decisions and mentor mid-level teams. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 88+ Senior Software Development Engineer jobs
As COLSA continues to expand our uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) capabilities, we’re seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to join our growing team in Madison, Alabama. You’ll design, develop, test, and integrate software for sUAS systems and sensors, supporting the full development lifecycle from initial design through integration, flight testing, and deployment.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities (*Essential Functions)
- Designs, develops, tests, integrates, and troubleshoots software for sUAS systems and sensors.*
- Develops and applies advanced software engineering methods and techniques to solve complex technical problems.*
- Supports software development throughout the lifecycle, including design, implementation, integration, testing, and deployment.*
- Performs systems modeling, simulation, analysis, and complex software testing.*
- Works closely with hardware engineers on characteristics and considerations that affect software systems.*
- Plans and technically leads projects or major phases of projects, coordinating with engineers and technical support staff as needed.*
- Reviews current technologies and engineering practices relevant to assigned projects.
- Reviews technical products and supports implementation and documentation of new or existing software.
- Provides technical consultation and may evaluate vendor products, services, or capabilities as needed.
At COLSA, people are our most valuable resource and centered at our core value. We invite you to unite your talents with opportunity and be a part of our “Family of Professionals!” Learn about our employee-centric culture and benefits here: https://www.colsa.com/culture_benefits
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Minimum of 8 years of related experience.
- Experience developing software for sUAS/UAV, autonomous aircraft, or other robotic platforms.
- Experience with Linux-based embedded platforms and technologies such as ARM processors, microcontrollers, or single-board computers.
- Knowledge of UAS electrical systems, payload integration, sensor integration, or avionics.
- Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, ROS/ROS 2, or comparable autonomy frameworks.
- Experience supporting the full system development lifecycle, from initial requirements and design through implementation, integration, flight testing, and deployment.
- Willing and able to obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate if required for the position.
- U.S. Citizenship required; must be able to complete a criminal background check and/or obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, if required for the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with aerospace/defense development processes, configuration management, and formal verification and validation.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Applicant selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. COLSA Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
As COLSA continues to expand our uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) capabilities, we’re seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to join our growing team in Madison, Alabama. You’ll design, develop, test, and integrate software for sUAS systems and sensors, supporting the full development lifecycle from initial design through integration, flight testing, and deployment.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities (*Essential Functions)
- Designs, develops, tests, integrates, and troubleshoots software for sUAS systems and sensors.*
- Develops and applies advanced software engineering methods and techniques to solve complex technical problems.*
- Supports software development throughout the lifecycle, including design, implementation, integration, testing, and deployment.*
- Performs systems modeling, simulation, analysis, and complex software testing.*
- Works closely with hardware engineers on characteristics and considerations that affect software systems.*
- Plans and technically leads projects or major phases of projects, coordinating with engineers and technical support staff as needed.*
- Reviews current technologies and engineering practices relevant to assigned projects.
- Reviews technical products and supports implementation and documentation of new or existing software.
- Provides technical consultation and may evaluate vendor products, services, or capabilities as needed.
At COLSA, people are our most valuable resource and centered at our core value. We invite you to unite your talents with opportunity and be a part of our “Family of Professionals!” Learn about our employee-centric culture and benefits here: https://www.colsa.com/culture_benefits
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Minimum of 8 years of related experience.
- Experience developing software for sUAS/UAV, autonomous aircraft, or other robotic platforms.
- Experience with Linux-based embedded platforms and technologies such as ARM processors, microcontrollers, or single-board computers.
- Knowledge of UAS electrical systems, payload integration, sensor integration, or avionics.
- Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, ROS/ROS 2, or comparable autonomy frameworks.
- Experience supporting the full system development lifecycle, from initial requirements and design through implementation, integration, flight testing, and deployment.
- Willing and able to obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate if required for the position.
- U.S. Citizenship required; must be able to complete a criminal background check and/or obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, if required for the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with aerospace/defense development processes, configuration management, and formal verification and validation.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Applicant selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. COLSA Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
See All 88 Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior Software Development Engineer Jobs by City in Alabama
Where Alabama roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Software Development Engineer Job Market in Alabama
A snapshot from current Alabama openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Insurance
What Alabama Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior software development engineer jobs across Alabama.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field
- Seven or more years of professional software development experience including senior-level work
- Proficiency in at least two languages such as Java, Python, C++, or Go
- Experience designing and deploying cloud infrastructure on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Active or eligible DoD security clearance for defense and federal contractor roles in Huntsville
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical design reviews and mentor junior and mid-level engineers
Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior software development engineer in Alabama?
The concrete path begins with a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field, followed by progressive engineering experience at Alabama employers in defense, aerospace, or financial technology. Alabama does not require a state-issued license for software engineering, but defense-sector employers in Huntsville routinely require a DoD security clearance, so starting in a role where a company sponsors clearance processing is a meaningful accelerator. A portfolio of architecture-level contributions and evidence of mentorship rounds out a competitive profile.
How much do senior software development engineers make in Alabama?
Senior software development engineers in Alabama earn a median of about $122,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $71,590 for the lowest 10% to over $175,330 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire senior software development engineers in Alabama?
Companies currently hiring senior software development engineers in Alabama include Leidos, Cintel, and Booz Allen Hamilton, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Alabama's defense and federal contracting ecosystem in Huntsville means large system integrators and prime contractors are among the most consistent sources of senior-level openings in the state.
Which Alabama cities have the most senior software development engineer jobs?
Huntsville, Birmingham, and Madison hold the most senior software development engineer openings in Alabama. Huntsville leads because of Redstone Arsenal and the dense cluster of defense contractors and federal agencies it anchors, while Birmingham drives demand through its financial services firms, health systems, and a growing startup ecosystem, making each city's listings reflect a distinct set of industries rather than overlap.
Are there remote senior software development engineer jobs in Alabama?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 44% of senior software development engineer openings tied to Alabama are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how naturally the work adapts to distributed collaboration. Application development, cloud architecture, and platform engineering tend to carry the most fully remote options, while roles requiring access to classified systems or on-site lab infrastructure at Alabama defense facilities remain primarily in-person.
How can I get hired as a senior software development engineer in Alabama with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a junior or associate software engineer role at one of Alabama's large defense contractors or health systems, which regularly bring on new graduates through structured rotational or apprenticeship programs. Leidos and SAIC, both anchored in Huntsville, run new-graduate hiring pipelines that move engineers toward clearance-eligible positions over two to three years. A strong GitHub portfolio demonstrating personal projects, contributions to open-source work, or capstone projects completed through programs at the University of Alabama or Auburn University gives candidates a clear edge when competing for those entry openings.
Where can I find and apply to senior software development engineer jobs in Alabama?
You can find and apply to senior software development engineer jobs in Alabama on Migrate Mate, which lists current Alabama openings in one place. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly without creating an account or signing up.
See All 88 Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs