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Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Senior FPGA Technical Lead to support safety-critical digital hardware design and verification activities for a major defense aviation platform. This role will focus on FPGA development, RTL design review, DO-254 certification support, verification planning, coverage analysis, and compliance documentation within a safety-critical avionics environment.
The selected engineer will serve as a technical lead supporting FPGA design and verification activities for mission-critical aircraft systems. Responsibilities will include requirements-based design support, elemental analysis, coverage metrics review, simulation, hardware testing, fault injection, failure analysis, and certification artifact development. This role requires strong DO-254 expertise and the ability to guide technical execution, review artifacts, identify compliance gaps, and ensure design and verification activities align with certification expectations.
This opportunity is remote with travel up to 20% as needed to Cedar Rapids, IA. U.S. citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident is required.
This is a temporary hourly position with the potential for extension or conversion to a regular full-time salaried position based on business needs, performance, and available opportunities. Conversion is not guaranteed.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as a technical lead for FPGA design, verification, and DO-254 certification-related activities.
- Support safety-critical FPGA development using VHDL and RTL design practices.
- Review and assess Register Transfer Level designs for FPGA implementation, verification readiness, and certification alignment.
- Develop, review, and maintain DO-254 related documentation, including requirements, design descriptions, design specifications, traceability, verification evidence, and certification support artifacts.
- Support requirements-based design and verification activities within a DAL-A or other safety-critical development environment.
- Perform or support elemental analysis to ensure design elements are properly identified, verified, and traced to requirements.
- Evaluate coverage metrics, including functional coverage, structural coverage, and robustness testing results.
- Support FPGA verification methods including simulation, hardware testing, fault injection, and failure analysis.
- Troubleshoot RTL design and verification issues using simulation environments, structured debug methods, and root cause analysis.
- Support FPGA implementation activities including synthesis, place and route, timing analysis, I/O timing, design constraints, and pin-out considerations.
- Identify technical and certification risks, communicate gaps clearly, and help drive practical solutions with the engineering team.
- Collaborate with design, verification, systems, hardware, program, and certification stakeholders in a remote engineering environment.
Required Qualifications:
- U.S. citizenship required.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of relevant FPGA design, verification, or certification experience in aerospace, defense, avionics, or another safety-critical engineering environment.
- Strong hands-on experience with FPGA development using VHDL.
- Strong understanding of Register Transfer Level design for FPGA applications.
- Experience working within a DO-254 development and certification environment.
- Experience with requirements-based design and verification practices for safety-critical digital hardware.
- Knowledge of FPGA verification methods, including simulation, hardware testing, fault injection, and failure analysis.
- Experience evaluating coverage metrics such as functional coverage, structural coverage, and robustness testing.
- Familiarity with elemental analysis in support of DO-254 compliance.
- Experience with FPGA design implementation activities such as synthesis, place and route, timing closure, design constraints, pin-out, and I/O timing analysis.
- Ability to troubleshoot RTL design and verification issues using simulation environments and structured root cause analysis.
- Ability to provide technical guidance, identify gaps, and work proactively with cross-functional engineering teams.
- Self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a remote environment while maintaining strong communication with the project team.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior technical lead experience on FPGA, digital hardware, or DO-254 certification programs.
- Experience supporting DAL-A FPGA or complex electronic hardware development.
- Strong understanding of DO-254 certification expectations, audit readiness, and compliance artifact reviews.
- Working knowledge of FAA AC 20-152A guidance or similar safety-critical compliance standards.
- Experience leading or supporting certification reviews, design reviews, verification reviews, or artifact gap assessments.
- Experience with safety-critical avionics programs for Collins Aerospace, RTX, or similar aerospace/defense organizations.
- Experience with FPGA designs involving communication protocols, memory interfaces, processor interfaces, data management, or other complex digital functions.
- Ability to quickly assess an existing FPGA design and verification baseline, identify risks, and help the team close gaps within a short-term project timeline.
- Experience in the adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.
Technologies, Tools & Methodologies
- VHDL
- FPGA design and verification
- Register Transfer Level design
- DO-254 compliance
- FAA AC 20-152A guidance
- Requirements-based design and verification
- Elemental analysis
- Functional coverage
- Structural coverage
- Robustness testing
- Simulation-based verification
- Hardware testing
- Fault injection
- Failure analysis
- Timing analysis
- Synthesis, place and route
- Safety-critical avionics development
The QDSS Advantage:
At 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.
What You'll Find Here
- Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
- Growth That's Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
- A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.
Benefits Include
- Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.
At 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.
Quest 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.
This 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.
