Embedded Software Engineer – Advanced Signal Processing

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc.•Cedar Rapids, IA

11h•$100,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer for its Advanced Navigation & Signal Processing group. The role focuses on developing assured positioning, navigation, and timing (A‑PNT) solutions for airborne, ground, and weapons applications, with emphasis on digital signal processing, real-time embedded systems, GPS integrity, and anti-jam resilience. The position is full-time and requires onsite work at the Cedar Rapids engineering facility to support secure labs, specialized hardware, and collaborative design work. The engineer will develop, integrate, and verify embedded software for real-time GPS receiver and signal-processing applications, including anti-jam techniques, interference suppression, and other protective signal-processing functions. The work spans the software engineering lifecycle, from requirements and subsystem architecture through coding, integration, and formal verification. The engineer will collaborate across systems, hardware, firmware, and test disciplines, support field demonstrations and customer engagements, improve tools and test infrastructure, and mentor junior engineers.

Requirements

Currently pursuing or holding a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field such as engineering, computer science, physics, or mathematics.
Understanding of real-time embedded software development processes.
Proficiency in C for embedded applications.
Ability to contribute to software requirements, functional decomposition, subsystem architecture, and interface definition.
Experience collaborating with systems, firmware, and hardware engineering teams.
Interest in digital signal processing, including anti-jam protection, interference characterization, direction finding, and signal-integrity analysis.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with C or C++ for embedded systems development.
Experience working with real-time embedded hardware platforms.
Familiarity with ARM processors and embedded RTOS environments such as Nucleus.
Experience with Lauterbach TRACE32, Sourcery CodeBench, or similar low-level debugging tools.
Working knowledge of communication systems, DSP, and RF signal-processing concepts.
Experience with MATLAB, Simulink models, or MATLAB scripting.
Experience with Jira, DOORS, or similar engineering lifecycle tools.
Interest or experience in using AI-assisted tools for software development.
Experience with Python scripting and automation frameworks.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly, verbally and in writing.
Enthusiasm for innovation and contributing to high-performance product development teams.
Ability to work successfully in a diverse, multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Responsibilities

Architect, design, develop, integrate, and verify embedded software for real-time GPS receiver and signal-processing applications.
Support anti-jam techniques, interference-suppression algorithms, and other protective signal-processing functions.
Contribute to the software engineering lifecycle, including requirements development, subsystem decomposition, coding, integration, and formal verification.
Develop an understanding of modernized GPS receiver architectures and signal-processing chains, contributing to next-generation A‑PNT products.
Collaborate with systems, hardware, firmware, and test engineering teams to support cohesive product integration.
Support field demonstrations, customer engagements, and internal technical reviews.
Develop and enhance software tools, test infrastructure, scripts, and automation.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of innovation, technical rigor, and professional excellence.