Software Test Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Software Test Engineer jobs in Alabama are concentrated in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Montgomery, where defense contractors, aerospace firms, and financial technology companies drive consistent demand at every level from entry-level QA analyst to senior test architect. Employers such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and SAIC maintain large engineering workforces in the state and regularly post software test engineer openings across embedded systems, automated testing, and cybersecurity domains. Demand is especially active in aerospace and defense-adjacent software, where Alabama's established presence as a federal contracting hub keeps hiring steady. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About CFD Research: Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc5000 as a top growing company for four of the last five years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com
CFD Research is seeking a Lead Test Architect / Principal Software Engineer to lead the architectural strategy for a unit test modernization initiative supporting a mission-critical Missile Defense system. In this role, you will design, standardize, and oversee the unified unit testing frameworks, establish common mocking and stubbing approaches for complex middleware interfaces, and set coding standards necessary to satisfy rigorous DoD code coverage and verification mandates.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and enforce the unified unit test architecture compatible with gcc/g++, GNAT, CMake, and gcovr.
- Define standard directory structures (tests/ hierarchy), naming conventions, and test harness execution rules across all libraries and executables.
- Architect comprehensive mocking and stubbing strategies to isolate complex inter-process communication (IPC) and CORBA middleware calls.
- Guide technical strategy to ensure all targeted modules consistently satisfy the 80% code coverage threshold.
Qualifications and Desired Skills
- U.S. Citizenship required; must possess and maintain an active DoD SECRET Clearance
- Extensive background in systems/software architecture for complex, real-time defense applications.
- Deep technical fluency in both C++ and Ada environments, including toolchain interoperability (GNAT, GCC) and multi-language builds with CMake.
- Proven expertise designing test harnesses, mock objects, and stubs for distributed architectures relying on CORBA/IPC middleware.
- Working knowledge of coverage analysis tools like gcovr and coverage-driven refactoring.
Location: This role is based in the Huntsville, AL area, and is 100% onsite.
Benefits: CFD Research offers competitive salaries and excellent employee benefits, including an employer matching 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). CFD Research offers our Full-Time, permanent employee-owners a highly competitive insurance package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance. Additionally, we offer company paid leave, compensation time, parental leave, long-term and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance. Part-Time and Temporary employee-owners may receive partial or reduced benefits and leave time based on their employment status level. Performance appraisals occur twice a year and annual pay increases are based upon corporate goals, personal development, performance, and outstanding achievements. In addition, group and individual bonuses are awarded for exceptional performance.
CFD Research is an EO employer - Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories
About CFD Research: Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc5000 as a top growing company for four of the last five years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com
CFD Research is seeking a Lead Test Architect / Principal Software Engineer to lead the architectural strategy for a unit test modernization initiative supporting a mission-critical Missile Defense system. In this role, you will design, standardize, and oversee the unified unit testing frameworks, establish common mocking and stubbing approaches for complex middleware interfaces, and set coding standards necessary to satisfy rigorous DoD code coverage and verification mandates.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and enforce the unified unit test architecture compatible with gcc/g++, GNAT, CMake, and gcovr.
- Define standard directory structures (tests/ hierarchy), naming conventions, and test harness execution rules across all libraries and executables.
- Architect comprehensive mocking and stubbing strategies to isolate complex inter-process communication (IPC) and CORBA middleware calls.
- Guide technical strategy to ensure all targeted modules consistently satisfy the 80% code coverage threshold.
Qualifications and Desired Skills
- U.S. Citizenship required; must possess and maintain an active DoD SECRET Clearance
- Extensive background in systems/software architecture for complex, real-time defense applications.
- Deep technical fluency in both C++ and Ada environments, including toolchain interoperability (GNAT, GCC) and multi-language builds with CMake.
- Proven expertise designing test harnesses, mock objects, and stubs for distributed architectures relying on CORBA/IPC middleware.
- Working knowledge of coverage analysis tools like gcovr and coverage-driven refactoring.
Location: This role is based in the Huntsville, AL area, and is 100% onsite.
Benefits: CFD Research offers competitive salaries and excellent employee benefits, including an employer matching 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). CFD Research offers our Full-Time, permanent employee-owners a highly competitive insurance package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance. Additionally, we offer company paid leave, compensation time, parental leave, long-term and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance. Part-Time and Temporary employee-owners may receive partial or reduced benefits and leave time based on their employment status level. Performance appraisals occur twice a year and annual pay increases are based upon corporate goals, personal development, performance, and outstanding achievements. In addition, group and individual bonuses are awarded for exceptional performance.
CFD Research is an EO employer - Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories
See All 27 Software Test Engineer Jobs in Alabama
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Find Software Test Engineer JobsSoftware Test Engineer Jobs by City in Alabama
Where Alabama roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Test Engineer Job Market in Alabama
A snapshot from current Alabama openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Alabama Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software test engineer jobs across Alabama.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
- Hands-on experience writing and executing manual and automated test cases
- Proficiency with test automation frameworks such as Selenium, Pytest, or JUnit
- Familiarity with Agile or Scrum development methodologies and sprint-based testing cycles
- Experience with defect tracking tools such as JIRA, TestRail, or similar platforms
- Knowledge of API testing using tools such as Postman or REST-Assured
Software Test Engineer Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software test engineer in Alabama?
Alabama does not require a state-issued license to work as a software test engineer. Most employers in the state look for a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or information technology, combined with demonstrated testing experience or relevant coursework. Earning industry credentials such as the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level strengthens applications, particularly for defense and government contractor roles that are common in the Huntsville corridor.
How much do software test engineers make in Alabama?
Software test engineers in Alabama earn a median of about $101,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $62,670 for the lowest 10% to over $162,600 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software test engineers in Alabama?
Alabama software test engineer roles are posted by SAIC, CFD Research Corporation, and Leidos and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Huntsville's dense concentration of federal defense contractors and aerospace firms makes it the most active hiring market in the state for this role.
Which Alabama cities have the most software test engineer jobs?
Huntsville, Madison, and Redstone Arsenal account for the most software test engineer openings in Alabama. Huntsville leads because of its aerospace and defense contracting ecosystem anchored by Redstone Arsenal and major prime contractors, while Birmingham's financial services and healthcare technology sectors generate consistent demand, and Montgomery's state government and insurance industry add a smaller but steady share of openings.
Are there remote software test engineer jobs in Alabama?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 13% of software test engineer openings tied to Alabama are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and tool-driven nature of the work. Roles focused on automated testing, API validation, and performance testing tend to be the most remote-eligible, while positions requiring hands-on hardware integration or security clearance work are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a software test engineer in Alabama with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to junior QA analyst or software quality assurance associate roles at Alabama's large defense contractors and technology firms, many of which run structured new-grad hiring programs. Companies such as Northrop Grumman and SAIC recruit entry-level testers through campus partnerships with the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Auburn University. Building a portfolio of automated test scripts on public repositories and earning the ISTQB Foundation certification gives candidates a concrete edge in a market where employers often value demonstrated initiative over years of experience.
Where can I find and apply to software test engineer jobs in Alabama?
You can find and apply to software test engineer jobs in Alabama on Migrate Mate, which lists current Alabama openings from employers across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly through the listings.
See All 27 Software Test Engineer Jobs in Alabama
Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Software Test Engineer Jobs