Lead Engineer

Quest Defense; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match

Certification assistance

Professional development

Flexible workplace

Job summary

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions seeks a Lead Nuclear Digital Instrumentation & I&C IV&V Engineer to provide technical leadership for verifying and validating complex digital control systems used in the nuclear industry. This role is not just test execution; you will determine what needs to be verified, how to test it, and what evidence is needed to demonstrate compliance.

You'll work across software, hardware, firmware, FPGA, systems engineering, quality, and project teams to evaluate system

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in embedded software development with C and development tools.
• Experience developing and executing V&V strategies for complex systems.
• Experience with test plans, procedures, reports, and requirements traceability.
• Willingness to travel extensively and support onsite assignments.
• Experience in safety-critical environments (DO-178, ISO 26262).

Responsibilities

• Lead IV&V activities for nuclear digital I&C and embedded control systems.
• Translate requirements into verification objectives and test requirements.
• Perform, witness, and evaluate component, subsystem, and system testing.
• Evaluate test results and evidence to determine compliance.
• Identify anomalies and drive resolution and closure.
• Document deficiencies and support investigation and corrective action.
• Conduct regression testing after design or software changes.
• Support test simulators, automated test equipment, and test tools.
• Maintain configuration control of test environments and evidence.
• Lead or support Factory Acceptance Testing and technical reviews.
• Communicate findings and risks to customers and leadership.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineers and testers.
• Collaborate with systems, software, hardware, FPGA, quality, manufacturing, and project teams.

Skills

Embedded software

C programming

Verification & Validation

Test planning

Requirements tracing

Configuration management

Safety-critical development

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field

Tools

GitLab

Jira

LDRA

Arm Development Studio

Visual Studio

GDB

Job 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.

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is looking for a Lead Nuclear Digital Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) IV&V Engineer to provide technical leadership for verifying and validating complex digital control systems used in the nuclear industry.

This is an engineering role—not simply a test execution position. You will determine what needs to be verified, how to test it, and what evidence is needed to demonstrate compliance. You'll work across software, hardware, firmware, FPGA, systems engineering, quality, and project teams to evaluate system performance, identify technical risks, and ensure requirements are fully verified.

Location: Wilmington, NC initially, transitioning to Nampa, ID after approximately six months. Candidates may relocate or travel approximately 50%.

This position supports a project that will be performed in two phases:

• Initial phase: For approximately the first six months, the engineer will support onsite work in Wilmington, NC. Candidates may be based in or temporarily relocate to the Wilmington area or travel onsite approximately 50% of the time, generally in one- to two-week blocks.
• Second phase: After the Wilmington phase, the project will transition to Nampa, ID for the remainder of the assignment. The engineer must be willing to relocate to the Boise–Nampa area or continue traveling onsite approximately 50% of the time.

Citizenship: US Citizen or US Person due to the nature of the work

What You'll Do

• Lead independent verification and validation (IV&V) activities for nuclear digital I&C and embedded control systems.
• Translate system, hardware, software, firmware, interface, and performance requirements into appropriate verification objectives and test requirements.
• Perform, witness, and evaluate component, subsystem, system, Factory Acceptance, and regression testing.
• Evaluate test results and objective evidence to determine whether requirements have been met.
• Identify anomalies, technical risks, incomplete evidence, and potential compliance issues; drive issues through resolution and closure.
• Document deficiencies and technical issues clearly and support investigation, disposition, corrective action, retest, and closure.
• Perform change-impact assessments and determine appropriate regression testing following design, software, hardware, or configuration changes.
• Support test simulators, automated test equipment, test tools, and production test systems.
• Maintain configuration control of test environments, hardware, software, firmware, test media, and verification evidence.
• Lead or support customer-facing Factory Acceptance Testing, technical reviews, and project execution.
• Communicate test status, technical findings, risks, and recommendations to customers and project leadership.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to engineers and test personnel.
• Work closely with systems, software, hardware, FPGA, quality, manufacturing, suppliers, customers, and project management teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in embedded software development, including knowledge of the C programming language and software development tools (GitLab, Jira, LDRA, Arm Development Studio, Visual Studio, GDB, etc.).
• Experience developing and executing verification and validation (V&V) strategies for complex systems.
• Experience developing test plans, test procedures, test reports, and requirements traceability.
• Strong understanding of configuration management and requirements-based testing.
• Strong judgment in verification strategy and objective evidence
• Experience with software development in a safety-critical environment (DO-178, ISO 26262).
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively and support extended onsite assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with nuclear industry processes and standards.
• Intermediate knowledge of standard programming languages (e.g., Python).
• Experience adopting and/or integrating emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.

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.

QDSS 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.