FPGA Design Engineer

We don’t just build technology—we engineer the future. From next-gen aerospace to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the limits of innovation. This is where problem-solvers, innovators, and big thinkers thrive.    

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is growing and looking to add an Avionics Software Team Lead / Scrum Master to support development of a product. The Team Lead/ Scrum Master will support development, integration, and sustainment of product. 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 the project, all applicants must be U.S. citizens. The ideal candidate should be based out of Cedar Rapids, IA, but open to remote candidates with up to 25% travel.  

This role is responsible for leading a cross-functional team of 5–10 embedded software and test engineers across I/O (1553, ARINC 429), hypervisor/RTOS environments, secure platform services, and video/graphics subsystems. 

The ideal candidate has a strong technical background in avionics software development and testing but operates primarily as a delivery leader — driving execution, managing priorities, interfacing with customers, and enabling the team to succeed. 

Roles & Responsibilities   

Team Leadership & Execution 

• Lead and manage a team of 5–10 embedded software and test engineers. 
• Own sprint execution, delivery commitments, and technical task coordination. 
• Drive accountability, remove impediments, and maintain schedule predictability. 
• Balance technical risk, program priorities, and resource allocation. 
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture. 
• Guide and mentor engineers with the help of subject matter experts or senior engineers on the team. 

Agile & Process Management 

• Serve as Scrum Master for the team. 
• Plan and facilitate sprint planning, backlog grooming, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives. 
• Maintain and manage Jira boards, metrics, and reporting. 
• Track velocity, burndown, risks, and dependencies. 
• Support continuous process improvement initiatives. 
• Ensure compliance with program-level development processes (e.g., DO-178C alignment where applicable). 

Customer & Stakeholder Interface 

• Serve as the primary day-to-day interface to program management, customers, and stakeholders. 
• Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation strategies clearly and professionally. 
• Follows QDSS project management process and ensures quality/on-time delivery. 
• Adhere to QDSS policies and procedures to ensure proper employee performance and development (metrics, performance reviews, training plans, etc.) 
• Support technical interchange meetings and milestone reviews. 
• Translate high-level program requirements into actionable engineering tasks. 
• Coordinate across hardware, FPGA, systems, cybersecurity, and test organizations. 

Technical Oversight 

• Provide leadership without acting as the primary technical implementer. 
• Review architecture with technical leaders to ensure sound engineering practices. 
• Lean on senior engineers for deep domain expertise in: 
• MIL-STD-1553 / ARINC 429 I/O systems 
• ARINC 653 partitioned RTOS environments 
• FPGA device drivers 
• Video/graphics and merge subsystems 
• Identify technical risk areas early and escalate appropriately. 
• Support integration and test planning at LRU and system levels. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. 
• 5+ years of experience in avionics or embedded software development/testing. 
• Minimum of 2 years leading engineering teams. 
• Working knowledge of real-time embedded systems. 
• Experience in aerospace/defense development environments. 
• Demonstrated experience operating as a Scrum Master in Agile environments. 
• Hands-on experience with Jira for backlog management and reporting. 
• Strong communication and customer-facing skills. 
• U.S. citizenship required. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Personnel management experience is preferred 
• Experience with ARINC 653, VxWorks, LynxOS, or partitioned systems. 
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, or avionics I/O architectures. 
• Experience supporting DO-178C or similar regulated development processes. 
• Experience leading integrated software development and test teams. 
• Scrum Master certification (CSM or equivalent). 
• 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.
• Local to Cedar Rapids, IA 

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.