Independent Contractor Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Alabama

Leidos is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to support the development of mission-critical embedded software and firmware for missile defense systems. The selected candidate will contribute to the design, development, integration, and demonstration of advanced software capabilities in a fast-paced engineering environment. This role requires close collaboration with integrated engineering teams and strong technical communication skills to support delivery of high-quality software solutions to customers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform conceptual design and architectural development across full-stack airborne system software, including embedded software design, code implementation, team peer review, and comprehensive unit testing. Own integration of loosely coupled software modules within subsystems and across distributed networks. Utilize DevOps and CI/CD pipelines to ensure quality and delivery. Contribute to the development of software tools, harnesses, and infrastructures that support fully integrated solutions across multiple technical areas.
• Leading and contributing to the design, development, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging of embedded software systems.
• Applying established software engineering principles, standards, and best practices throughout the full software development life cycle (SDLC) including but not limited to: (a) software requirements analysis, (b) hardware compatibility analysis, and (c) development of tools and software products that support infrastructure, platform design and system maintenance.
• Recommending and implementing new technologies, tools and standards to enhance software engineering practices, which align to organizational goals.
• Leading and mentoring other team members, contributing to the delivery of complex projects, all the while aligning with technical strategy and execution plans.
• Demonstrate initiative in identifying improved development workflows, tools, and engineering practices, including emerging AI-enabled development capabilities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical discipline from an accredited institution, with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• 8+ years of relevant technical experience, or 6+ years with a master's degree in a related field.
• 5+ years of experience with real-time embedded system in defense, aerospace, or safety-critical platforms preferred.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance required.
• Must be a resident of North Alabama or willing to relocate to the Huntsville-North Alabama area.
• Expert-level proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems development.
• Experience with real-time operating system (RTOS) such as VxWorks, Integrity, or FreeRTOS
• Proficiency with embedded processors and microcontrollers (i.e. ARM Cortex, RISC-V, or similar architectures)
• Experience with embedded debugging tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, etc.)
• Must have strong knowledge of modern software development practices including Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, and test automation and understand the reasons these practices are used on mission and safety critical programs.
• Must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to address highly complex technical challenges.
• Ability to work independently on well-defined tasks and contribute effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed guided weapons systems, flight controls systems, or similar embedded solutions.
• Experience developing large-scale embedded, high-performance systems with a high level of determinism.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Prior experience working in highly regulated or mission-critical environments (e.g., aerospace or defense sectors).
• Experience with software safety standards (DO-178C, MIL-STD-882e).
• Experience with Agile management tools and concepts such as Jira.
• Experience with software configuration management tools such as Git and GitLab.
• Proven experience mentoring developers across multiple experience levels.

Clearance Requirement

Active DoD Secret Security Clearance required.

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 10, 2026Pay Range:Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.