Job Description
Unlock the power of Safety- and Mission-Critical Engineering with QDSS. We are seeking exceptional individuals to join our elite team- where your expertise will make an impact that matters. Elevate your career in a company dedicated to excellence and the pursuit of safety and mission success.
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions (QDSS) is seeking an experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineer with 10–15 years of experience developing safety-critical airborne software for DO-178C DAL A systems. The selected candidate will contribute to the design, development, troubleshooting, and verification of embedded platform software used in mission- and safety-critical avionics environments.
This role requires strong experience across the full DO-178C software lifecycle, including requirements traceability, design, implementation, verification, and certification support. The engineer will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams, including systems engineering, hardware, verification, and certification authorities, to ensure delivery of high-integrity airborne software.
Due to the nature of the project, all applicants must be U.S. citizens.
This role is remote with up to 10% travel to Indianapolis, IN.
Key Responsibilities:
Embedded Software Development
Design, develop, and maintain embedded platform software for airborne avionics systems in compliance with DO-178C DAL A objectives.
Implement software in C/C++ and/or Ada targeting real-time embedded environments.
Develop software architectures and detailed designs that support deterministic and certifiable execution.
DO-178C Compliance
Execute software development activities in accordance with DO-178C processes and plans (PSAC, SDP, SVP, SCMP, SQAP).
Ensure compliance with DAL A software objectives, including documentation, traceability, and verification artifacts.
Support certification activities with regulatory authorities and DERs.
Requirements & Traceability
Develop and refine low-level and software requirements derived from system and high-level requirements.
Maintain bidirectional traceability between system requirements, software requirements, design, code, and verification artifacts.
Utilize requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama, or equivalent.
Troubleshooting & Integration
Diagnose and resolve complex software defects across requirements, design, code, and integration levels.
Support hardware/software integration activities and system-level troubleshooting.
Analyze runtime behavior in real-time operating systems and embedded hardware environments.
Verification & Code Coverage
Support verification teams in achieving DAL A structural coverage objectives including:
- Statement coverage
- Decision coverage
- Modified Condition/Decision Coverage (MC/DC)
Analyze coverage results and perform code analysis to address uncovered logic.
Collaboration & Technical Leadership
Work collaboratively with systems, hardware, test, and certification teams to ensure alignment across the development lifecycle.
Provide technical mentoring to junior engineers and contribute to design and code reviews.
Support continuous improvement of software processes and development tools.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.
- 10–15 years of experience developing embedded software for aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical industries.
- Demonstrated experience with DO-178C DAL A software development.
- Strong proficiency in C, C++, and/or Ada for embedded systems.
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Proven experience in troubleshooting complex embedded software issues.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
- Close attention to detail in safety-critical environments.
- Ability to work in structured engineering processes.
- Strong collaboration and technical communication skills.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Required Technical Skills:
- DO-178C lifecycle processes and certification artifacts
- Requirements management and traceability
- Embedded software architecture and design
- Structural coverage analysis (MC/DC)
- Debugging on embedded hardware platforms
- Software configuration management and version control
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting airborne platform software (e.g., operating systems, drivers, middleware).
- Familiarity with avionics standards such as: ARP4754A, DO-254, or DO-330.
- Experience with verification tools such as: VectorCast, LDRA, or Rapita RVS.
- Familiarity with avionics communication protocols such as ARINC 429, ARINC 664, MIL-STD-1553, or AFDX.
The QDSS Advantage:
At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.
What You’ll Find Here
- Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
- Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
- A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.
Benefits Include
- Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.
Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications
Pay Ranges
$100,000—$130,000 USD
At Quest Defense Systems and Solutions, we don’t just build technology — we engineer the future. From next-generation aerospace solutions to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the boundaries of innovation. This is where problem-solvers, innovators, and visionary thinkers come together to shape the future. With over 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering expertise, our commitment to delivering high-quality, transformative solutions sets us apart — not just as an industry leader, but as a driving force for impactful change. Together, we’re not just leading the industry — we’re revolutionizing it.
Quest Defense provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
