{"id":2376152,"url":"https://alion.io/job/quest-defense-platform-systems-engineer","title":"Platform Systems Engineer","company":{"id":618,"name":"Quest Defense","domain":"quest-defense.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/quest-defense","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":10,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-13T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Cedar Rapids, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":140000,"max":160000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":160000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-05T15:38:20Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-05","last_verified_at":"2026-10-13T04:45:41Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":7,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":7},"description":"Unlock the power of Safety and Mission Critical Engineering with QDSS. We are seeking exceptional individuals to join our elite team- where your expertise will make an impact that matters. Elevate your career in a company dedicated to excellence and the pursuit of safety and mission success. \nQuest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Platform Systems Engineer to support the integration, verification, and qualification of advanced aerospace and defense systems. You’ll work across system architecture, requirements, performance analysis, and testing to ensure complex hardware, software, and FPGA-based components operate together successfully.\nThis role offers the opportunity to support waveform integration and migration to next-generation hardware while working closely with FPGA teams to understand builds, resource constraints, timing, and place-and-route considerations. It’s an excellent fit for a systems engineer who enjoys hands-on integration, troubleshooting, and taking a platform from requirements through validated performance.\nThis position is based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Relocation assistance is available.\nU.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance are required. Active Secret clearance is preferred.\nWhat You’ll Do\nDevelop, analyze, decompose, and maintain system-level requirements.\nSupport platform architecture, interface definitions, design decisions, and technical trade studies.\nPlan and execute system integration, verification, validation, and qualification testing.\nEvaluate system performance against requirements, analyze test results, and resolve performance gaps.\nIntegrate and port waveforms to next-generation hardware platforms.\nWork with FPGA teams to understand builds, resource utilization, timing constraints, and place-and-route considerations.\nDevelop test plans, procedures, cases, and system-level verification evidence.\nTroubleshoot complex interactions among hardware, software, FPGA, and waveform components.\nCollaborate with hardware, software, FPGA, test, and program teams throughout the development lifecycle.\nCreate and maintain interface documentation, specifications, test reports, and requirements traceability.\nParticipate in technical reviews, risk assessments, and problem-resolution activities.\nRequired Qualifications: \nBachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.\n5+ years of experience in systems engineering, system integration, or testing of complex electronic or embedded systems.\nExperience developing, analyzing, and verifying system-level requirements and architectures.\nHands-on experience with system integration, verification and validation, qualification testing, and performance analysis.\nAbility to troubleshoot interactions among hardware, software, FPGA, and other platform components.\nSystems-level understanding of FPGA builds, resource utilization, timing constraints, and place-and-route concepts.\nFamiliarity with Xilinx tools and the FPGA development lifecycle.\nStrong analytical, technical documentation, and cross-functional communication skills.\nAbility to work onsite in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.\nU.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.\nPreferred Qualifications: \nActive Secret security clearance.\nMaster’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.\nPrevious systems engineering experience within aerospace or defense programs.\nExperience integrating or porting waveforms to FPGA-based hardware platforms.\nHands-on experience with Xilinx development tools, including reviewing resource-utilization and timing reports.\nExperience with requirements-management tools such as DOORS or Jama.\nFamiliarity with MBSE methodologies and tools such as SysML, Cameo, or Rhapsody.\nKnowledge of aerospace development standards such as ARP4754A, DO-178C, or DO-254.\nExperience with embedded communications, mission systems, or software-defined radio platforms.\nExperience adopting and/or integrating emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.\nThe QDSS Advantage: \nAt 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. \nWhat You’ll Find Here \nWork That Matters - Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact. \nGrowth That’s Supported - Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement. \nA Culture That Works - A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued. \nBenefits Include \nCompetitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace. \n\nFull compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications\nPay Ranges\n$140,000—$160,000 USD\nAt 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.\nQuest 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.\nThis 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. 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