Senior Embedded Software Engineer – TCAS / Surveillance Avionics
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc.
$127,000 - $167,000 / year
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Description
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.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineer to develop, integrate, verify, and maintain safety-critical airborne software supporting TCAS/ACAS and surveillance avionics systems. This hands-on role requires strong C/C++, real-time embedded systems, and DO-178B/C experience. The engineer will support requirements, design, implementation, verification, integration, troubleshooting, certification documentation, and FAA certification activities.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona. On-site preferred, 3+ days/week
Citizenship: U.S. Person
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain TCAS/ACAS and airborne surveillance software using C/C++ in real-time and RTOS environments.
- Design, implement, integrate, and verify safety-critical embedded software.
- Analyze, modify, integrate, and troubleshoot new and legacy software.
- Develop and maintain requirements, traceability, design documentation, source code, and lifecycle data.
- Develop and execute unit and integration tests and perform requirements-based verification.
- Integrate software with avionics hardware, RF, FPGA/firmware, and aircraft systems.
- Debug software, perform root-cause analysis, resolve defects, and support JIRA defect burn-down.
- Participate in code, peer, requirements, design, verification, and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs).
- Maintain software build environments, toolchains, version control, and configuration management.
- Support software baselines, releases, and configuration management.
- Support DO-178B/C, DO-185B, RTCA MOPS, FAA certification audits/reviews, findings, and technical issues.
- Develop and maintain certification lifecycle data covering planning, requirements, design, implementation, verification/validation, configuration management, and quality assurance.
- Work with systems, hardware, RF, verification, certification, program, and customer teams to resolve technical issues and drive actions to closure.
Required Qualifications
- 5–15 years of relevant embedded software engineering experience, preferably in airborne or other safety-critical systems.
- Strong C and C++ development skills.
- Experience with real-time embedded systems and RTOS environments.
- Experience analyzing, modifying, integrating, and troubleshooting existing or legacy embedded software.
- Strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills.
- Experience with embedded software and hardware/software integration.
- Experience developing and executing unit and integration tests.
- Experience with requirements-based development, verification, traceability, design, implementation, and configuration management.
- Experience with formal code/peer reviews.
- Experience with software build environments, toolchains, version control, and configuration management.
- Experience with JIRA or similar defect-management systems.
- Experience producing engineering documentation within a controlled software lifecycle.
- Strong technical communication and ability to drive actions to closure.
- Direct experience with TCAS/ACAS, ADS-B, transponder, or other airborne surveillance software.
- Working knowledge of TCAS/ACAS functionality, surveillance concepts, and aircraft interfaces.
- Experience with DO-178B/C airborne software development and certification.
- Experience developing/supporting DO-178 lifecycle data, including planning, requirements, design, implementation, verification, configuration management, and certification evidence.
- Familiarity with DO-185B and applicable TCAS MOPS/test criteria.
- Must meet U.S. Person requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with FAA certification audits, reviews, or Software Stages of Involvement (SOI).
- Familiarity with surveillance/collision avoidance RTCA standards and FAA Technical Standard Orders.
- Experience with requirements-based testing, requirements-to-test traceability, and structural coverage.
- Experience with safety-critical verification, including:
- Low- and high-level requirements-based testing
- Robustness testing
- Structural coverage analysis
- MC/DC, where applicable
- Experience with ARINC 429, AFDX, or other aircraft communication protocols.
- Familiarity with RF-based surveillance systems and RF/FPGA hardware interaction.
- Experience supporting laboratory, aircraft integration, qualification, or flight-test activities.
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
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.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- professional development
About this role
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is looking for a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to own the full lifecycle of safety-critical TCAS and airborne surveillance software—from requirements and design through FAA certification. You'll work in C/C++ on real-time systems, integrating software with avionics hardware, RF systems, and aircraft platforms while managing the rigorous documentation and verification demands of DO-178B/C compliance. This is hands-on technical work that demands both deep embedded systems expertise and the ability to navigate complex certification processes.
The role suits engineers with 5–15 years of embedded software experience, ideally in airborne or safety-critical domains. Direct TCAS/ACAS or surveillance software background is highly valued, as is familiarity with DO-178B/C, RTCA standards, and FAA certification workflows. You'll need strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills, comfort with requirements traceability and formal code reviews, and the ability to troubleshoot across hardware, firmware, and RF integration points. Preferred experience includes FAA audit participation, aircraft communication protocols like ARINC 429, and involvement in flight-test or qualification activities.
Based in Phoenix and on-site at least three days per week, this full-time position offers competitive compensation ($127,000–$167,000), comprehensive benefits including medical/dental coverage and 401(k) matching, and professional development support. U.S. Person citizenship is required.
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Pay for this role
$127,000 to $167,000 per year
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