Principal Research Engineer IV, S2

University of Alabama in Huntsville; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama in Huntsville seeks a Principal Research Engineer to provide advanced software engineering and project management for aviation platforms. You will lead agile software teams and drive requirements, ensuring delivery of high-quality modeling and simulation solutions, collaborating with program stakeholders and partners.

Responsibilities include requirements development, architecture, verification testing, and lifecycle sustainment of reconfigurable emulated

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in science, engineering, or business; 4–6 years of full-time work experience, or equivalent combination.

Responsibilities

• Agile Software Development and Leadership: lead teams, apply agile practices, manage scope, quality, schedule, cost and resources.
• Modeling, Simulation and Technical Oversight: direct requirements development, architecture, feasibility analysis, verification testing for cockpit/cabin emulation; oversee reconfigurable hardware/software solutions.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: partner with customers, vendors, and government stakeholders to translate aviation needs into modeling and simulation solutions; deliver technical docs and analyses; support workforce development; drive process improvement and adoption of advanced software practices.

Skills

MS Office

Education

Ph.D. in science, engineering, or business

Job description

Job no: 502839
Department: Research Institute
Work type: Staff Full-time Exempt
Location: Alabama
Categories: Research - Engineering

Purpose of the Position

The Principal Research Engineer will provide advanced software engineering, and project management expertise in direct support of aviation platforms. The role focuses on developing reconfigurable emulated hardware and software to replicate aviation cockpit and cabin interfaces, enabling requirements analysis and lifecycle sustainment. The candidate will lead agile software development teams, manage technical requirements, ensure delivery of high-quality modeling and simulation solutions, while driving innovation through close collaboration with program stakeholders and partners.

Duties/Responsibilities

Agile Software Development and Leadership

• Lead teams in applying agile practices to improve delivery speed and reduce defects.
• Manage project scope, quality, schedule, cost, and resources.

Modeling, Simulation and Technical Oversight

• Direct requirements development, architecture, feasibility analysis, and verification testing for cockpit/cabin emulation.
• Oversee creation of reconfigurable emulated hardware/software solutions supporting lifecycle sustainment.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with customers, vendors, and government stakeholders to translate aviation needs into modeling and simulation solutions.
• Deliver technical documentation, specifications, and analyses to support current and future aircraft design initiatives.
• Support workforce development and knowledge transfer within agile software teams.
• Contribute to process improvement and adoption of advanced software practices.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D - preferably in science, engineering, or business, 4 - 6 years of full-time work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and years of experience
• Knowledge of MS Office
• US citizenship is required

Desired Qualifications

• Extensive experience in agile software development
• Modeling and simulation expertise
• Aviation system lifecycle support
• Proven success leading technical teams
• Reconfigurable hardware/software development for Army aviation platforms
• Software engineering
• Requirements analysis
• System architecture
• Feasibility assessment
• Verification testing
• Technical documentation
• Proficiency in agile methodologies
• Stakeholder collaboration
• Lifecycle management
• Active Secret clearance
• Approved Redstone Arsenal access

Published Salary (if available)

$149,636 -$156,000

Advertised: Sep 03 2025 Central Daylight Time
Applications close:

Please note, job openings are posted for a minimum of three (3) business days and may be removed from the job posting board and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.