Senior Hardware Engineer / Technical Lead – RF & Avionics

Quest Defense; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 129,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401(k) with employer match

Certification assistance

Job summary

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions in Phoenix, AZ seeks a Senior Hardware Engineer / Technical Lead to drive hardware development for RF and avionics, including TCAS, transponder, and airborne surveillance systems. You will lead requirements, architecture, verification, and production transitions in a hands‑on leadership role.

This role covers RF, digital/mixed‑signal electronics, FPGA, DO-254/DO-160 certifications, and DOORS traceability.

Qualifications

• 5–15 years of relevant hardware engineering experience, preferably in airborne avionics, RF, or high‑reliability electronics.
• Hands‑on experience developing RF, digital, and/or mixed‑signal hardware.
• Experience leading or coordinating multidisciplinary hardware development teams.
• Experience taking hardware from requirements through design, integration, verification, qualification, and production.
• Experience with hardware requirements, decomposition, allocation, validation, traceability, and IBM DOORS or comparable tools.
• Experience developing and executing hardware verification plans, procedures, and testing.
• Strong hardware integration, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis skills, including hardware/FPGA/software/system interfaces.
• Experience transitioning engineering hardware into manufacturing and production.
• Strong technical leadership, communication, mentoring, and problem‑solving skills.
• Direct experience with TCAS, transponder, ADS‑B, or airborne surveillance hardware.
• Working knowledge of DO‑254, including requirements, design, implementation, verification, configuration management, process assurance, traceability, and design assurance.
• Familiarity with DO‑160, including EMI/EMC, environmental, lightning, and aircraft installation qualification.
• Experience supporting TSO authorization andFAA certification programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware development from requirements and architecture through design, integration, verification, qualification, and production.
• Coordinate RF, digital/mixed‑signal, FPGA, mechanical, safety, verification, manufacturing, and certification activities.
• Develop and manage hardware requirements, traceability, plans, milestones, risks, and technical dependencies using IBM DOORS or comparable tools.
• Lead hardware verification plans, procedures, test environments, execution, and anomaly resolution.
• Develop/review RF, digital, and mixed‑signal designs supporting TCAS, transponder, and surveillance systems.
• Lead hardware/software/FPGA integration and troubleshoot complex system issues across laboratory, qualification, aircraft, and flight‑test environments.
• Support RF/antenna integration, including placement, performance, radiation patterns, interference, and aircraft installation.
• Support manufacturing, production testing, engineering‑to‑production transition, and corrective actions.
• Support DO-254, DO-160, TSO, and FAA certification activities and documentation.
• Lead technical reviews, customer interactions, issue resolution, and closure of technical actions.
• Provide technical direction and mentoring to hardware engineers.

Skills

RF hardware

Digital/mixed-signal

FPGA

Leadership

Multidisciplinary coordination

System integration

Root-cause analysis

Certification processes

Aircraft avionics knowledge

DO-254 knowledge

Tools

IBM DOORS

Job description

Senior Hardware Engineer / Technical Lead – RF & Avionics

Phoenix, AZ

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.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Hardware Engineer / Hardware Technical Lead to lead development, integration, verification, qualification, and production transition of hardware supporting TCAS, transponder, and airborne surveillance systems. This hands‑on role spans RF, digital/mixed‑signal electronics, FPGA, verification, manufacturing, and certification.

Location: Phoenix, Arizona. On‑site preferred, 3+ days/week

Key Responsibilities

• Lead hardware development from requirements and architecture through design, integration, verification, qualification, and production.
• Coordinate RF, digital/mixed‑signal, FPGA, mechanical, safety, verification, manufacturing, and certification activities.
• Develop and manage hardware requirements, traceability, plans, milestones, risks, and technical dependencies using IBM DOORS or comparable tools.
• Lead hardware verification plans, procedures, test environments, execution, and anomaly resolution.
• Develop/review RF, digital, and mixed‑signal designs supporting TCAS, transponder, and surveillance systems.
• Lead hardware/software/FPGA integration and troubleshoot complex system issues across laboratory, qualification, aircraft, and flight‑test environments.
• Support RF/antenna integration, including placement, performance, radiation patterns, interference, and aircraft installation.
• Support manufacturing, production testing, engineering‑to‑production transition, and corrective actions.
• Support DO-254, DO-160, TSO, and FAA certification activities and documentation.
• Lead technical reviews, customer interactions, issue resolution, and closure of technical actions.
• Provide technical direction and mentoring to hardware engineers.

Required Qualifications

• 5–15 years of relevant hardware engineering experience, preferably in airborne avionics, RF, or high‑reliability electronics.
• Hands‑on experience developing RF, digital, and/or mixed‑signal hardware.
• Experience leading or coordinating multidisciplinary hardware development teams.
• Experience taking hardware from requirements through design, integration, verification, qualification, and production.
• Experience with hardware requirements, decomposition, allocation, validation, traceability, and IBM DOORS or comparable tools.
• Experience developing and executing hardware verification plans, procedures, and testing.
• Strong hardware integration, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis skills, including hardware/FPGA/software/system interfaces.
• Experience transitioning engineering hardware into manufacturing and production.
• Strong technical leadership, communication, mentoring, and problem‑solving skills.
• Direct experience with TCAS, transponder, ADS‑B, or airborne surveillance hardware.
• Working knowledge of DO‑254, including requirements, design, implementation, verification, configuration management, process assurance, traceability, and design assurance.
• Familiarity with DO‑160, including EMI/EMC, environmental, lightning, and aircraft installation qualification.
• Experience supporting TSO authorization andFAA certification programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Mode C and Mode S interrogation and reply systems.
• Knowledge of TCAS/surveillance antenna systems, including antenna design, placement, radiation patterns, RF coverage, surveillance performance, interference, and EMI.
• Experience designing RF transmit/receive hardware and digital/mixed‑signal electronics.
• Experience with certification documentation and formal certification reviews.
• Experience supporting laboratory, aircraft ground‑test, and flight‑test activities.
• Experience troubleshooting RF or hardware performance issues during aircraft testing.
• Experience with aerospace manufacturing and production hardware.
• Familiarity with FPGA‑based hardware architectures and FPGA/hardware/software interfaces.
• Experience with aircraft OEMs, avionics suppliers, certification authorities, or external customers.

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

Pay Ranges

$129,000 - $169,000 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.