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Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

TCS

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$133K - $178K/yr

The selected Principal Software Engineer responsibilities will include the support of the GMD Weapons System (GWS) program as an individual contributor on the GMD Fire Control (GFC) product.

TCS

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$133K - $178K/yr

The selected Principal Software Engineer responsibilities will include the support of the GMD Weapons System (GWS) program as an individual contributor on the GMD Fire Control (GFC) product.

TCS

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$123K - $170K/yr

Huntsville, Alabama, United States TCS is searching for a Senior Principal Software Engineer to join our strong team of Engineers supporting our Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) customer in ...

TCS

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$123K - $170K/yr

Huntsville, Alabama, United States TCS is searching for a Senior Principal Software Engineer to join our strong team of Engineers supporting our Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) customer in ...

Auria Space

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$133K - $179K/yr

Auria Space is looking to hire a Principal Software Engineer to support the C2BMC program in Huntsville, AL. This role involves software development in Java and requires providing specialized ...

PNC Bank

Software Engineer Principal

Birmingham, AL

$126K - $169K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer within PNC's Contact center technology organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh, PA, Strongsville, OH, Dallas, TX, Birmingham, Al or Lakewood, CO. The Contact ...

Auria

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$115K/yr

Auria is looking to hire a Principal Software Engineer to support the C2BMC. This role is ONSITE in Huntsville, AL. This position is for a Software Engineer on the C2BMC program. The candidate will ...

Auria

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$115K - $130K/yr

Auria is looking to hire a Principal Software Engineer to support the C2BMC. This role is ONSITE in Huntsville, AL. This position is for a Software Engineer on the C2BMC program. The candidate will ...

TCS

Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$123K - $170K/yr

Onsite - Huntsville TCS is searching for a Sr. Principal Software Engineer to join our strong team of Engineers supporting our Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) customer in Huntsville, AL. The GMD ...

TCS

Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$123K - $170K/yr

Onsite - Huntsville TCS is searching for a Sr. Principal Software Engineer to join our strong team of Engineers supporting our Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) customer in Huntsville, AL. The GMD ...

asrcfh

Principal Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$133K - $178K/yr

We are seeking highly motivated Software Engineers to support the continued development and sustainment of the U.S. Navy's Aegis Weapons System in Huntsville, AL. Responsibilities: Work in a ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Software Engineer JobsPrincipal Software Engineer Jobs in Alabama

Principal Software Engineer information

See Alabama salary details

$54.8K

$145.9K

$209.4K

How much do principal software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal software engineer in Alabama is $145,871.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,400.00 and $164,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a principal software engineer typically balance hands-on coding with leadership responsibilities?

Principal Software Engineers often split their time between technical contributions—such as designing system architecture and reviewing complex code—and guiding teams through mentorship, technical direction, and cross-functional collaboration. While they may not code as much as junior engineers, they remain highly involved in critical implementations and code reviews. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong time management, clear communication, and the ability to prioritize tasks that have the highest impact on project and team success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Software Engineer, you need deep expertise in software architecture, programming languages, and system design, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field. Advanced proficiency with development frameworks, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), and familiarity with DevOps tools and agile methodologies are typically required. Exceptional leadership, mentorship, and communication skills help facilitate cross-functional collaboration and guide technical teams. These skills are crucial for driving technical vision, ensuring scalable solutions, and fostering innovation within complex projects.

What is the difference between Principal Software Engineer vs Senior Software Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Software EngineerSenior Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in CS or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in CS; several years of experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationDesign, develop, and troubleshoot software; mentorship
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, large enterprises, startupsMost industries, including tech, finance, healthcare

The main difference between a Principal Software Engineer and a Senior Software Engineer lies in their level of responsibility and scope. Principal Software Engineers typically lead technical strategy, influence architecture decisions, and mentor multiple teams, whereas Senior Software Engineers focus on coding, design, and individual project contributions. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the Principal role emphasizes leadership and strategic impact.

What is a principal software engineer?

A principal software engineer is in charge of software development. In this career, you guide the software design process and inspect software programs to make suggestions for improvements. Principal software engineers also process complex data and may need to enforce software design, development, and maintenance requirements. Your job requires a high level of technical knowledge and skills and a thorough understanding of the software development process. Your employer may require you to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in software development. Similar job titles include software architect and principal software developer.

How much does a principal software engineer get paid?

A principal software engineer typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually in the United States, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and company size. They often have advanced skills in software architecture, leadership, and technical expertise in programming languages and tools.
More about Principal Software Engineer jobs
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What job categories do people searching Principal Software Engineer jobs in Alabama look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Software Engineer jobs in Alabama are:
What cities in Alabama are hiring for Principal Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Alabama with the most Principal Software Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Principal Software Engineer jobs in AL? For Principal Software Engineer jobs in AL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Principal Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Software Engineer job openings in Alabama as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,871 per year, or $70.1 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Lynx Software Technologies

Huntsville, AL • On-site

$133K - $178K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer
Location: Onsite - Huntsville, AL
Compensation: $160,000 - $200,000 + Bonus Eligible
Security Clearance: Active Secret Clearance Required
This position requires full time onsite in Huntsville, Alabama.
Who we are: 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 + 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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