{"id":2376168,"url":"https://alion.io/job/quest-defense-senior-embedded-software-engineer-tcas-surveillance-avionics","title":"Senior Embedded Software Engineer – TCAS / Surveillance Avionics","company":{"id":618,"name":"Quest Defense","domain":"quest-defense.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/quest-defense","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":92,"open_postings":15,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.333,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":55,"computed_at":"2026-10-26T05:57:25Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","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":["Phoenix, United States","Scottsdale, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":127000,"max":167000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":167000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"DO-178C","optional":false},{"name":"RTOS","optional":false},{"name":"ARINC","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-01T23:01:46Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-01","last_verified_at":"2026-10-26T09:14:21Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":24,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":24},"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. \nWe are seeking an experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineer to develop, integrate, verify, and maintain safety-critical airborne software supporting TCAS/ACAS and surveillance avionics systems. This hands-on role requires strong C/C++, real-time embedded systems, and DO-178B/C experience. The engineer will support requirements, design, implementation, verification, integration, troubleshooting, certification documentation, and FAA certification activities.\nLocation: Phoenix, Arizona. On-site preferred, 3+ days/week\nCitizenship: U.S. Person \nKey Responsibilities\nDevelop and maintain TCAS/ACAS and airborne surveillance software using C/C++ in real-time and RTOS environments.\nDesign, implement, integrate, and verify safety-critical embedded software.\nAnalyze, modify, integrate, and troubleshoot new and legacy software.\nDevelop and maintain requirements, traceability, design documentation, source code, and lifecycle data.\nDevelop and execute unit and integration tests and perform requirements-based verification.\nIntegrate software with avionics hardware, RF, FPGA/firmware, and aircraft systems.\nDebug software, perform root-cause analysis, resolve defects, and support JIRA defect burn-down.\nParticipate in code, peer, requirements, design, verification, and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs).\nMaintain software build environments, toolchains, version control, and configuration management.\nSupport software baselines, releases, and configuration management.\nSupport DO-178B/C, DO-185B, RTCA MOPS, FAA certification audits/reviews, findings, and technical issues.\nDevelop and maintain certification lifecycle data covering planning, requirements, design, implementation, verification/validation, configuration management, and quality assurance.\nWork with systems, hardware, RF, verification, certification, program, and customer teams to resolve technical issues and drive actions to closure.\nRequired Qualifications\n5-15 years of relevant embedded software engineering experience, preferably in airborne or other safety-critical systems.\nStrong C and C++ development skills.\nExperience with real-time embedded systems and RTOS environments.\nExperience analyzing, modifying, integrating, and troubleshooting existing or legacy embedded software.\nStrong debugging and root-cause analysis skills.\nExperience with embedded software and hardware/software integration.\nExperience developing and executing unit and integration tests.\nExperience with requirements-based development, verification, traceability, design, implementation, and configuration management.\nExperience with formal code/peer reviews.\nExperience with software build environments, toolchains, version control, and configuration management.\nExperience with JIRA or similar defect-management systems.\nExperience producing engineering documentation within a controlled software lifecycle.\nStrong technical communication and ability to drive actions to closure.\nDirect experience with TCAS/ACAS, ADS-B, transponder, or other airborne surveillance software.\nWorking knowledge of TCAS/ACAS functionality, surveillance concepts, and aircraft interfaces.\nExperience with DO-178B/C airborne software development and certification.\nExperience developing/supporting DO-178 lifecycle data, including planning, requirements, design, implementation, verification, configuration management, and certification evidence.\nFamiliarity with DO-185B and applicable TCAS MOPS/test criteria.\nMust meet U.S. Person requirements.\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with FAA certification audits, reviews, or Software Stages of Involvement (SOI).\nFamiliarity with surveillance/collision avoidance RTCA standards and FAA Technical Standard Orders.\nExperience with requirements-based testing, requirements-to-test traceability, and structural coverage.\nExperience with safety-critical verification, including:\nLow- and high-level requirements-based testing\nRobustness testing\nStructural coverage analysis\nMC/DC, where applicable\nExperience with ARINC 429, AFDX, or other aircraft communication protocols.\nFamiliarity with RF-based surveillance systems and RF/FPGA hardware interaction.\nExperience supporting laboratory, aircraft integration, qualification, or flight-test activities.\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. \nFull compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications\nPay Ranges\n$127,000—$167,000 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7088,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"phd","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Military","Embedded & Electronics Design","Avionics & Flight Control","Engineering Services"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-12T18:36:54Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":80,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.89,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":24,"expected_fill_days":55,"reasons":["conf:0","velocity","win:mid"],"computed_at":"2026-10-26T05:57:25Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":167000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/quest-defense-senior-embedded-software-engineer-tcas-surveillance-avionics","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/quest-defense-senior-embedded-software-engineer-tcas-surveillance-avionics.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-26T13:28:28Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":18746,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-27T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":618},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=618"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fquest-defense-senior-embedded-software-engineer-tcas-surveillance-avionics"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fquest-defense-senior-embedded-software-engineer-tcas-surveillance-avionics"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fquest-defense-senior-embedded-software-engineer-tcas-surveillance-avionics"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/quest-defense-senior-embedded-software-engineer-tcas-surveillance-avionics\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fquest-defense-senior-embedded-software-engineer-tcas-surveillance-avionics"}]}