Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Shape the future of innovation as we tackle cutting-edge projects that make a difference.  We’re not just in the business of engineering—we’re building a brighter future. Driven by creativity and a culture of excellence, we believe in the power of engineering to solve today’s challenges and create opportunities for tomorrow. What we do matters. 

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is seeking a highly skilled Sr. Software Engineer.  The successful candidate will work across the I/O, core processing, networking, 2D/3D graphics, and video/merge subsystems, integrating FPGA-based hardware, real-time operating systems, middleware services, and application interfaces to deliver deterministic, safety-critical avionics capabilities.

Due to the nature of this role- all candidate MUST be a U.S. citizen or US Person.  Location: Cedar Rapids, IA or Remote

Key Responsibilities: 

• Platform & Operating Systems

  • Support VxWorks 653 and LynxOS-178 guest operating systems.
  • Configure and manage partitioned, multi-core environments aligned with FACE profiles.
  • Support secure boot, system initialization, and health monitoring.
  • Maintain BIT and SNMP-based health services.

  I/O & FPGA Integration

  • Develop and sustain device drivers for Avionics I/O Node and Module Manager FPGAs.
  • Support avionics and general-purpose interfaces:
  • MIL-STD-1553B (BC/RT/BBC)
  • ARINC 429
  • RS-422/485
  • GPIO, discrete, and analog I/O
  • Implement low-latency I/O routing and bypass paths.
  • Integrate shared memory and network-based data transport.

  Video & Graphics Processing

  • Develop and maintain merge and video device drivers.
  • Integrate MerVE3 FPGA-based video processing and merge functionality.
  • Support ARINC 661, ARINC 818, SDI, SMPTE, DisplayPort, and STANAG 3350 interfaces.
  • Implement and maintain video and merge APIs.
  • Optimize low-latency video pipelines and graphics overlays.
  • Support multi-input/multi-output video routing and synchronization.

  Middleware & Application Services

  • Maintain I/O server frameworks and distribution services.
  • Support deterministic networking with traffic shaping and partition isolation.
  • Integrate secure NVMe file systems and persistent storage.
  • Support ARINC 615/615A data loading and DevSecOps automation.
  • Implement zeroization and cybersecurity services.

  System Integration & Verification

  • Perform hardware/software bring-up on OpenVPX platforms.
  • Conduct system-level debugging across compute, I/O, and video subsystems.
  • Optimize performance on NXP QorIQ multicore architectures.
  • Integrate hardware acceleration engines and DMA paths.
  • Support verification, qualification, and acceptance testing.
  • Perform root cause analysis and corrective actions.

  Collaboration & Documentation

  • Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, systems, cybersecurity, and test teams.
  • Develop and maintain software design descriptions, ICDs, and test artifacts.
  • Participate in Agile development and configuration management.
  • Support customer reviews and program milestones.

 Required Skills & Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of embedded software development experience.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
• Full SDLC experience (requirements, design, implementation, integration, and test)
• Experience with real-time operating systems (VxWorks, LynxOS, or equivalent).
• Experience working with ARINC 653 partitioned systems.
• Experience developing embedded device drivers.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based peripherals.
• Experience with avionics data buses (MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, RS-422/485).
• Strong system-level debugging and integration skills.
• U.S. citizenship required.

  Preferred Qualifications: 

• 7+ years of aerospace/defense embedded systems experience.
• Experience with Wind River 653 and FACE-aligned platforms.
• Knowledge of DO-178C and DO-297 processes.
• Experience with OpenVPX and modular avionics architectures.
• Experience with video processing and display systems.
• Familiarity with ARINC 661, ARINC 818, SDI, and graphics pipelines.
• Experience with hardware acceleration engines.
• Prior technical leadership or mentoring experience.
• Experience in adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.

Why QDSS Solutions:  

We’re a family-like-company. We are collaborative. We believe in embracing change. We believe in doing consistent good work. QDSS houses smart, curious and passionate about “making a difference” people.  Our company culture sets us apart from others as well as: