{"id":2376166,"url":"https://alion.io/job/quest-defense-senior-hardware-engineer-technical-lead-rf-avionics","title":"Senior Hardware Engineer / Technical Lead – RF & 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":90,"open_postings":13,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.385,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":43,"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"lead","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":129000,"max":169000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":169000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-01T23:04:23Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-01","last_verified_at":"2026-10-20T08:23:40Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":18,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":18},"description":"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. \nWe 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.\nLocation: Phoenix, Arizona. On-site preferred, 3+ days/week\nCitizenship: U.S. Person \nKey Responsibilities\nLead hardware development from requirements and architecture through design, integration, verification, qualification, and production.\nCoordinate RF, digital/mixed-signal, FPGA, mechanical, safety, verification, manufacturing, and certification activities.\nDevelop and manage hardware requirements, traceability, plans, milestones, risks, and technical dependencies using IBM DOORS or comparable tools.\nLead hardware verification plans, procedures, test environments, execution, and anomaly resolution.\nDevelop/review RF, digital, and mixed-signal designs supporting TCAS, transponder, and surveillance systems.\nLead hardware/software/FPGA integration and troubleshoot complex system issues across laboratory, qualification, aircraft, and flight-test environments.\nSupport RF/antenna integration, including placement, performance, radiation patterns, interference, and aircraft installation.\nSupport manufacturing, production testing, engineering-to-production transition, and corrective actions.\nSupport DO-254, DO-160, TSO, and FAA certification activities and documentation.\nLead technical reviews, customer interactions, issue resolution, and closure of technical actions.\nProvide technical direction and mentoring to hardware engineers.\nRequired Qualifications\n5-15 years of relevant hardware engineering experience, preferably in airborne avionics, RF, or high-reliability electronics.\nHands-on experience developing RF, digital, and/or mixed-signal hardware.\nExperience leading or coordinating multidisciplinary hardware development teams.\nExperience taking hardware from requirements through design, integration, verification, qualification, and production.\nExperience with hardware requirements, decomposition, allocation, validation, traceability, and IBM DOORS or comparable tools.\nExperience developing and executing hardware verification plans, procedures, and testing.\nStrong hardware integration, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills, including hardware/FPGA/software/system interfaces.\nExperience transitioning engineering hardware into manufacturing and production.\nStrong technical leadership, communication, mentoring, and problem-solving skills.\nDirect experience with TCAS, transponder, ADS-B, or airborne surveillance hardware.\nWorking knowledge of DO-254, including requirements, design, implementation, verification, configuration management, process assurance, traceability, and design assurance.\nFamiliarity with DO-160, including EMI/EMC, environmental, lightning, and aircraft installation qualification.\nExperience supporting TSO authorization and FAA certification programs.\nMust meet U.S. Person requirements.\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with Mode C and Mode S interrogation and reply systems.\nKnowledge of TCAS/surveillance antenna systems, including antenna design, placement, radiation patterns, RF coverage, surveillance performance, interference, and EMI.\nExperience designing RF transmit/receive hardware and digital/mixed-signal electronics.\nExperience with certification documentation and formal certification reviews.\nExperience supporting laboratory, aircraft ground-test, and flight-test activities.\nExperience troubleshooting RF or hardware performance issues during aircraft testing.\nExperience with aerospace manufacturing and production hardware.\nFamiliarity with FPGA-based hardware architectures and FPGA/hardware/software interfaces.\nExperience with aircraft OEMs, avionics suppliers, certification authorities, or external customers.\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$129,000—$169,000 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":6766,"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":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Engineering Services"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-12T18:36:54Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":81,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.897,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":18,"expected_fill_days":43,"reasons":["conf:1","velocity","win:mid"],"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":169000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/quest-defense-senior-hardware-engineer-technical-lead-rf-avionics","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/quest-defense-senior-hardware-engineer-technical-lead-rf-avionics.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-20T12:46:12Z","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":14106,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-21T00:00:00Z"}},"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-hardware-engineer-technical-lead-rf-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-hardware-engineer-technical-lead-rf-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-hardware-engineer-technical-lead-rf-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-hardware-engineer-technical-lead-rf-avionics\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fquest-defense-senior-hardware-engineer-technical-lead-rf-avionics"}]}