Secure Embedded Software Engineer
About The Position
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Secure Embedded Software Engineer with hands-on Rust experience to develop low-level software for aerospace and defense systems. The engineer will design, implement, test, and integrate secure embedded software supporting board support packages, hardware interfaces, and FPGA-based platforms. The role offers the opportunity to join upcoming programs early, influence software architecture, and collaborate with systems, hardware, and FPGA engineers in a secure, mission-critical environment. The posting describes the position as onsite and based in El Segundo, California, while its required qualifications also state the ability to work onsite in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Relocation assistance is available. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance are required; an active Secret clearance is preferred. The compensation range is $130,000–$145,000 USD, with the full compensation package based on experience and certifications. Benefits include competitive pay, medical, dental, life, and disability coverage, an employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, professional development support, advancement opportunities, and a flexible, collaborative workplace.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- At least five years of embedded software development experience.
- Hands-on software development experience using Rust.
- Experience developing board support packages, device drivers, hardware abstraction layers, or other hardware-interface software.
- Strong understanding of embedded systems, memory management, concurrency, and real-time software concepts.
- Experience integrating software with processors, SoCs, FPGAs, or other embedded hardware.
- Experience with software requirements, architecture, unit testing, integration testing, debugging, and code reviews.
- Understanding of secure software design and coding practices.
- Experience using version control and modern software-development tools.
- 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 Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Production experience using Rust for embedded, bare-metal, or other resource-constrained systems.
- Experience with C or C++ and integrating Rust with existing low-level software.
- Experience developing BSPs or device drivers for an RTOS or embedded Linux environment.
- Familiarity with FPGA-based platforms and SoC hardware/software integration.
- Previous experience developing software for aerospace, defense, or other high-assurance systems.
- Knowledge of DO-178C or similar safety-critical software development processes.
- Experience with static analysis, automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, or secure development tools.
- Experience supporting classified programs or secure development environments.
- Experience adopting and/or integrating emerging technologies, such as generative AI, automation platforms, or digital assistants, into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain secure embedded software using Rust.
- Develop low-level board support packages, device drivers, and hardware-interface software.
- Integrate software with FPGAs, SoCs, processors, and other embedded hardware components.
- Participate in software requirements, architecture, interface definition, and technical trade studies.
- Apply secure software design and coding practices throughout the development lifecycle.
- Develop and execute unit, integration, and system-level tests.
- Support board bring-up, hardware/software integration, debugging, and performance optimization.
- Troubleshoot complex issues across software, hardware, FPGA, and system boundaries.
- Collaborate with systems, hardware, FPGA, cybersecurity, and test engineering teams.
- Conduct code reviews and produce design documentation, test evidence, and other technical artifacts.
Benefits
- Competitive pay.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, life, and disability coverage.
- 401(k) with employer match.
- Certification assistance.
- Professional development support.
- Clear opportunities for advancement.
- Flexible, collaborative, and friendly workplace.
- Relocation assistance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
