Platform Systems Engineer

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

6h•$140,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

Quest 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. This 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. This position is based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Relocation assistance is available. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance are required. Active Secret clearance is preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
5+ years of experience in systems engineering, system integration, or testing of complex electronic or embedded systems.
Experience developing, analyzing, and verifying system-level requirements and architectures.
Hands-on experience with system integration, verification and validation, qualification testing, and performance analysis.
Ability to troubleshoot interactions among hardware, software, FPGA, and other platform components.
Systems-level understanding of FPGA builds, resource utilization, timing constraints, and place-and-route concepts.
Familiarity with Xilinx tools and the FPGA development lifecycle.
Strong analytical, technical documentation, and cross-functional communication skills.
Ability to work onsite in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Active Secret security clearance.
Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Previous systems engineering experience within aerospace or defense programs.
Experience integrating or porting waveforms to FPGA-based hardware platforms.
Hands-on experience with Xilinx development tools, including reviewing resource-utilization and timing reports.
Experience with requirements-management tools such as DOORS or Jama.
Familiarity with MBSE methodologies and tools such as SysML, Cameo, or Rhapsody.
Knowledge of aerospace development standards such as ARP4754A, DO-178C, or DO-254.
Experience with embedded communications, mission systems, or software-defined radio platforms.
Experience adopting and/or integrating emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Develop, analyze, decompose, and maintain system-level requirements.
Support platform architecture, interface definitions, design decisions, and technical trade studies.
Plan and execute system integration, verification, validation, and qualification testing.
Evaluate system performance against requirements, analyze test results, and resolve performance gaps.
Integrate and port waveforms to next-generation hardware platforms.
Work with FPGA teams to understand builds, resource utilization, timing constraints, and place-and-route considerations.
Develop test plans, procedures, cases, and system-level verification evidence.
Troubleshoot complex interactions among hardware, software, FPGA, and waveform components.
Collaborate with hardware, software, FPGA, test, and program teams throughout the development lifecycle.
Create and maintain interface documentation, specifications, test reports, and requirements traceability.
Participate in technical reviews, risk assessments, and problem-resolution activities.