Hardware Design Engineer

Quest Defense; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Healthcare coverage

401(k) with employer match

Professional development

Flexible workplace

Job summary

Quest Defense seeks an Electronic Hardware Engineer to join our team in Wilmington, NC or remote with hybrid preference. You will own full lifecycle PCB design, schematic capture, layout, validation, and production support for nuclear-grade control systems.

You’ll tackle signal integrity, EMI, thermal management and DFM/DFA across multi-board assemblies. The ideal candidate has a BS in Electrical Engineering, 5+ years of hardware design experience, and hands-on experience with Altium and board

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of experience in electronic hardware / PCB design
• Proven experience owning full lifecycle PCB development (architecture, schematic capture, layout, validation, and production)
• Strong experience with component selection and BOM development, including lifecycle and availability considerations
• Proficiency with PCB design tools (Altium preferred or equivalent ECAD tools)
• Hands-on experience with board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation
• Solid understanding of: Signal integrity, Power integrity, EMI/EMC considerations, Thermal design considerations
• Experience designing for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA) and working with fabrication/assembly vendors
• Experience supporting production and sustaining engineering efforts
• Ability to work across electrical and mechanical interfaces (enclosures, packaging, thermal constraints)
• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical/regulated environments

Responsibilities

• Own full lifecycle PCB design and development from concept through production and sustaining support
• Define design approach, including requirements interpretation, architecture, and component selection
• Develop schematic capture, PCB layout, routing, and placement using tools such as Altium
• Establish board-level design considerations including signal integrity, power distribution, EMI, and thermal performance
• Perform and support board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation activities
• Develop and execute integration and system-level testing, documenting results and resolving issues
• Create manufacturing test procedures and support production readiness, including DFM/DFA considerations
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues across development and production environments
• Support mechanical integration, including enclosure, packaging, and thermal constraints
• Provide production and sustaining engineering support, including issue resolution and design updates
• Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful delivery
• Engage with customers and internal stakeholders to define scope, review designs, and assess technical risks

Skills

PCB design

Schematic capture

Layout

Board bring-up

Signal integrity

EMI/EMC

Thermal design

DFM/DFA

Altium

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

Job description

Embark on a journey with QDSS at the forefront of technological innovation as we seek talented Engineers to shape the future of cutting-edge projects and contribute to a culture of excellence and creativity. What we do matters.

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking an Electronic Hardware Engineer to support development of a next-generation control system for small modular nuclear reactors. This role focuses on PCB design and hardware development, contributing across the full lifecycle from schematic capture and layout through validation and production support.

You’ll work alongside other senior engineers on highly reliable, safety-critical systems, gaining exposure to real-world challenges including signal integrity, thermal performance, EMI, and manufacturability.

Location: Remote, though onsite/hybrid is preferred in Wilmington, NC.

Clearance: All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Own full lifecycle PCB design and development from concept through production and sustaining support
• Define design approach, including requirements interpretation, architecture, and component selection
• Develop schematic capture, PCB layout, routing, and placement using tools such as Altium
• Establish board-level design considerations including signal integrity, power distribution, EMI, and thermal performance
• Perform and support board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation activities
• Develop and execute integration and system-level testing, documenting results and resolving issues
• Create manufacturing test procedures and support production readiness, including DFM/DFA considerations
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues across development and production environments
• Support mechanical integration, including enclosure, packaging, and thermal constraints
• Provide production and sustaining engineering support, including issue resolution and design updates
• Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful delivery
• Engage with customers and internal stakeholders to define scope, review designs, and assess technical risks

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of experience in electronic hardware / PCB design
• Proven experience owning full lifecycle PCB development (architecture, schematic capture, layout, validation, and production)
• Strong experience with component selection and BOM development, including lifecycle and availability considerations
• Proficiency with PCB design tools (Altium preferred or equivalent ECAD tools)
• Hands-on experience with board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation
• Solid understanding of: Signal integrity, Power integrity, EMI/EMC considerations, Thermal design considerations
• Experience designing for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA) and working with fabrication/assembly vendors
• Experience supporting production and sustaining engineering efforts
• Ability to work across electrical and mechanical interfaces (enclosures, packaging, thermal constraints)
• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical/regulated environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in instrumentation & controls (I&C) or control systems hardware
• Exposure to DFM/DFA or working with manufacturing teams
• Experience supporting integration or system-level testing
• Familiarity with design documentation and engineering processes
• Experience working on complex or multi-board systems

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.

About Us

At QDSS, we are more than an engineering company—we are a force for innovation and positive change. With over 25 years of proven expertise in solving mission-critical challenges, we empower our team to push boundaries, combining deep industry knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and a collaborative "think tank" approach.

Our vision is to be the trusted partner of choice for our defense and aerospace clients, delivering secure, sustainable, and world-class solutions that build a brighter future.