{"id":3135758,"url":"https://alion.io/job/quest-defense-senior-systems-engineer-weapons-systems","title":"Senior Systems Engineer – Weapons Systems","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":"B","score":80,"open_postings":21,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.81,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":25,"computed_at":"2026-10-28T05:59:10Z"}},"role":"Defense","role_family":"Defense","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":100000,"max":140000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":140000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":4,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Cameo Systems Modeler","optional":false},{"name":"DO-178C","optional":false},{"name":"DO-254","optional":false},{"name":"IBM DOORS","optional":false},{"name":"Jira","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"MBSE","optional":false},{"name":"MIL-STD-1553","optional":false},{"name":"MIL-STD-882","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Sensor Fusion","optional":false},{"name":"Simulink","optional":false},{"name":"SysML","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-22T20:29:50Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-22","last_verified_at":"2026-10-28T12:57:24Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":5,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":5},"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. \n\nLocation: Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Full-time Onsite)\nQuest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer with a strong background in systems architecture, requirements development, integration, and verification for advanced weapons systems. This role will support the development and sustainment of GPS-enabled guidance and navigation solutions for next-generation weapon platforms.\nThis position offers the opportunity to work hands-on with cutting-edge GPS receiver technology, resilient navigation methods, and mission-critical flight hardware. Engineers in this role gain deep technical insight into GPS architecture, signal processing, and weapons system integration-all while contributing to the advancement of Quest’s precision-guided weapon product lines.\nBecause of the need for consistent, secure, on-site collaboration and specialized hardware access, this role is performed 100% onsite at our Cedar Rapids engineering facility.\nJoin Quest in our mission to deliver reliable, high-assurance systems that support those who protect our nation.\nKey Responsibilities\nLead systems engineering activities spanning requirements development, system architecture, interface definition, test planning, integration, and qualification for weapons-class GPS systems.\nDefine and analyze system-level requirements, decompositions, and traceability within a formal systems engineering framework.\nSupport integration of GPS receivers and navigation subsystems into weapon platforms, collaborating closely with software, hardware, firmware, and test disciplines.\nDevelop system-level test plans, verification procedures, and qualification artifacts.\nConduct technical reviews, support design maturation, and evaluate system performance in lab and field environments.\nServe as a technical liaison for customers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.\nSupport issue resolution, configuration management, and risk mitigation activities throughout the product lifecycle.\nRequired Education, Experience & Skills\nBachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline (Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, etc.) with a minimum of 4 years of relevant engineering experience.\nStrong understanding of formal systems engineering processes and product development methodologies.\nU.S. Citizenship is required.\nAbility to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Secret clearance.\nPreferred Education, Experience & Skills\nActive DoD Secret clearance (or higher).\nExperience with systems engineering tools such as DOORS, JAMA, or Jira.\nExperience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies or tools (SysML, Cameo, Rhapsody).\nFamiliarity with modern programming or scripting languages (C, C++, Python).\nDemonstrated ability to solve complex, multi-disciplinary engineering problems.\nAbility to produce clear, complete technical documentation and communication for diverse audiences.\nExperience integrating navigation systems, GPS receivers, or weapon guidance subsystems.\nAbility to work effectively in a high-performing, mission-focused engineering team.\nProactive, results-driven mindset with a strong desire to innovate and improve systems.\nAdditional Required Technical Skills (recommended additions)\nUnderstanding of Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (A-PNT) systems, including resilient navigation concepts, anti-jam/anti-spoofing protection, and GPS integrity monitoring.\nWorking knowledge of RF systems, RF propagation, filtering, antenna systems, and GPS RF front-end behavior.\nExperience interpreting MIL-STD, ICDs, and interface standards relevant to GPS or weapons systems.\nFamiliarity with safety-critical system development and compliance processes.\nAbility to decompose system-level requirements into hardware, firmware, and software specifications.\nExperience performing system integration with mixed hardware/software environments, including lab bench setups and environmental testing.\nAbility to analyze system performance using logs, telemetry, RF captures, or navigation datasets.\nAdditional Preferred Technical Skills (advanced or domain-specific additions)\nExperience implementing or testing Anti-Jam (AJ) solutions such as controlled-reception pattern antennas (CRPAs), null-steering, beamforming, or space-time processing.\nKnowledge of M-Code, SAASM, or other secure/encrypted GPS technologies.\nExperience with flight-critical or weapons-class safety standards, including\n- MIL-STD-882\n- DO-178C (software)\n- DO-254 (hardware)\n- MIL-STD-1553, 1760, or similar weapons interfaces.\nExposure to Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) methodologies.\nFamiliarity with Kalman filters, estimation theory, inertial sensors, and GPS/INS integration.\nExperience with A-PNT architectures, alternative navigation sources, or multi-sensor fusion.\nFamiliarity with EW threat environments, interference characterization, or survivability analysis.\nExperience testing navigation systems in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), signal generator, or flight test environments.\nUnderstanding of system modeling or simulation using MATLAB/Simulink, SysML, or comparable tools.\nExperience using configuration management systems, CI pipelines, or model-based test automation.\n\nFull compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications\nPay Ranges\n$100,000—$140,000 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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