Senior Embedded Software Engineer New

Quest Defense; Wilmington (NC); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match

Certification assistance

Professional development support

Flexible workplace

Job summary

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain C-based control software for critical power and automation systems. The candidate will work with hardware teams on Nuclear Power Plant I&C systems and perform testing in a collaborative lab environment.

Periodic onsite presence in Wilmington, NC may be required, up to one week per month, with potential extended stays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering.
• 10+ years of embedded software development experience with C and standard tools.
• Experience in safety-critical environments (DO-178, ISO 26262).
• Experience with code reviews, unit/integration testing, and coding standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare design specifications and develop embedded software for control systems.
• Perform module testing and integration testing with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL).
• Conduct code reviews and verify design specifications and reports.
• Engage customers to define scope and discuss risks.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to junior staff.
• Deliver high-quality engineering software as the primary output.

Skills

C programming

Code reviews

Problem solving

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical/Computer/Software Engineering

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 & Solutions is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Senior Embedded Software Engineer responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of C-based control software for critical power and automation systems. The candidate will design and implement electronic hardware and software for Nuclear Power Plants Instrumentation & Controls systems. The software team works closely with electronic hardware design and plant system operations. The position requires strong technical problem-solving skills, advanced software expertise, and effective collaboration with other customer teams.

Periodic onsite presence may be required in Wilmington, NC. The role may require the candidate to be onsite up to one week per month (and occasionally two consecutive weeks) to perform software testing and collaborate with the local engineering team in the lab.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare design specifications, develop embedded software, perform module testing, and conduct integration testing of designs.
• Perform code reviews and verifications of Design Specifications and Reports.
• Engage customers to define scope, review results, and discuss technical risks.
• Perform integration testing of software solutions using Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation and full end-to-end operational testing.
• Work with the technical leader to establish effective work plans, including time estimates, schedule estimates, requirements, and work processes.
• Apply engineering fundamentals and first-order engineering principles to establish and/or confirm expected performance.
• Provide clear and complete analysis documentation in accordance with customer engineering procedures.
• Manage time effectively to deliver quality work within expected project timelines.
• Communicate work status clearly and effectively to leadership.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to junior staff.
• Deliver high-quality engineering software as the primary output of the role.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in embedded software development, including the C programming language and software development tools (GitLab, Jira, LDRA, Arm Development Studio, Visual Studio, GDB, etc.).
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with coding conventions, code review, unit testing, and integration testing of embedded software.
• Experience with software development in a safety-critical environment (DO-178, ISO 26262).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Intermediate knowledge of standard programming languages (e.g., Python)
• Ability to solve technical challenges by applying common design patterns and selecting appropriate patterns for problem-solving.
• Effective use of data structures and algorithms.
• Experience understanding and applying coding standards that deliver desired functionality using project-selected technologies.
• Knowledge of common development paradigms (Agile, Waterfall).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate technical topics clearly.
• Proactively learns new tools, identifies opportunities for improvement, and promotes their adoption.
• 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’llgrow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.

WhatYou’llFind Here

• Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
• GrowthThat’sSupported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certificationassistance, 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/lifeand 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

Pay Ranges

$120,000 - $140,000 USD

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc.’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.