Independent Contractor Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Alabama

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer
Location: Onsite - Huntsville, AL
Salary Range: $160,000 - $200,000 + Bonus Eligible
Security Clearance: Active Secret Clearance Required
This position requires full time onsite in Huntsville, Alabama.
Company Overview
Founded in 2004 with locations in Atlanta, GA, Fort Worth, TX, Denver, CO, & Huntsville, AL, Thompson Software Solutions (TSS) is a mission-driven aerospace and defense software and systems engineering company supporting the U.S. military, defense primes, and commercial space partners. We specialize in the development, integration, test, and deployment of safety & mission-critical software systems that power next-generation aircraft, defense platforms, and space technologies. Our team understands what it takes to modernize complex embedded systems while maintaining the rigor, compliance, and reliability required for mission and safety-critical environments.
As a defense-focused company of highly skilled and dedicated engineers, we take pride in solving complex technical challenges that directly impact national security and operational readiness. We partner closely with customers across the military aviation and space domains to deliver resilient, future-ready solutions with portability, sustainability, and long-term mission success in mind.
Description
Thompson Software Solutions is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to support the development of embedded flight software capabilities for an advanced missile platform. This role offers the opportunity to lead the design and integration of mission-critical software operating in high-performance, real-time environments where precision, reliability, and deterministic execution are paramount.
This position requires a software engineer to use a wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in the software field to develop, integrate, and test software products. The successful candidate will be a member of a high-performing multi-site team and must be self-motivated with a strong work ethic, time-management, and interpersonal skills. In this role, you will work independently at times on projects, at other times will be in a collaborative team environment with other software engineers, as well as other program development and deployment teams.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Continued eligibility for access to classified information is required throughout employment, as dictated by program needs.
Basic Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in STEM discipline
• 8+ years of embedded software development
• Experience developing embedded software in C/C++
• Experience with I&T integration and test.
• Experience with Full Lifecycle Software Development
• Experience with (FSW) Flight software engineering
• Proficient with Linux and Windows development environments
• Ability to professionally communicate project status and collaborate on technical solutions with clients and peers
• Active Secret Clearance Required
• Ability to work onsite 100%
• Ability to travel 10%
Preferred / Additional Skills
• Proficient with Atlassian Tools (Confluence, JIRA, Bitbucket, etc.)
• Proficient in Python development
• Familiarity with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools (Cameo, AADL)
• Experience with Digital Simulation Development and integration
• Experience with safety-critical software development and practices (DO-178C)
• Experience with Navigation, Guidance and Control Implementation
• Experience with Signal Processing Implementation
• Experience developing Embedded Flight Software
• Experience communicating and documenting complex technical designs
• Ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Sound Exciting? Get in touch today! We have very robust benefits including:

• Low-cost Medical / Dental / Vision coverage options
• 401K with generous employer match
• Responsible Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
• Remote work opportunities based on role
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Career growth and professional development opportunities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
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