Senior Software Engineer - Tools & Enablement

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. 

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Senior Software Engineer – Tools & Enablement to support the development of a next-generation System-on-Chip (SoC) avionics platform. This role will focus on building and improving the development environments, automated pipelines, and engineering tools that allow software teams to develop, integrate, verify, and release safety-critical software efficiently and consistently.

You will develop CI/CD pipelines, containerized and virtualized environments, automation scripts, test harnesses, and homegrown engineering tools. The ideal candidate understands technologies such as GitLab, Docker, scripting, and modern DevOps/CertDevOps practices, while supporting embedded and real-time software development in a DO-178C environment.

This position is primarily remote with up to 20% travel to Cedar Rapids, IA. U.S. Citizenship is required.

Key Responsibilities:   

• Architect, develop, and maintain development environments and automated CI/CD pipelines for safety-critical embedded software.
• Integrate software development and verification activities into GitLab-based pipelines supporting the full software lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain Docker containers, virtualized environments, and reusable development infrastructure.
• Create automation scripts, test harnesses, and internal engineering tools to improve efficiency and reduce manual processes.
• Support embedded software development across boot, application, and RTOS environments, including platforms such as VxWorks and LynxOS.
• Build and maintain tooling that supports DO-178C development, verification, traceability, and release activities.
• Integrate and support tools for static analysis, code coverage, requirements verification, and timing analysis.
• Design, debug, and document test environments and automated test solutions for product-line development.
• Troubleshoot issues involving development environments, pipelines, embedded targets, and avionics networking.
• Standardize development tools, test harnesses, workflows, and engineering processes across teams.
• Develop documentation, work instructions, and training to help engineering teams effectively use new tools, pipelines, and environments.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering productivity through automation, scripting, and emerging technologies.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using tools such as GitLab, Jenkins, or Bamboo.
• Experience with containerized or virtualized development environments, including technologies such as Docker.
• Strong automation and scripting experience using Python, Bash, or a similar scripting language.
• Experience developing engineering tools, test automation, or reusable development infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of embedded software development environments, including build, integration, test, and release processes.
• Experience supporting software development in a safety-critical or highly regulated environment.
• Understanding of DO-178C software lifecycle processes and the traceability, verification, and configuration management expectations associated with them.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills across software, tooling, pipeline, and development environment issues.
• Ability to collaborate with software, systems, verification, and hardware teams to identify opportunities for process improvement and automation.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Skills: 

• Experience supporting DO-178C DAL A software development and certification activities.
• Familiarity with DO-330 tool qualification, including development or support of qualified engineering tools.
• Hands-on experience with embedded software, avionics processing platforms, or real-time operating systems such as VxWorks or LynxOS.
• Experience building or supporting GitLab-based CertDevOps pipelines in a safety-critical development environment.
• Knowledge of avionics networking protocols such as ARINC 429, CAN, AFDX, or Ethernet.
• Experience integrating static analysis, code coverage, requirements verification, and timing-analysis tools into automated pipelines.
• Experience developing and standardizing test harnesses, development tools, and engineering workflows across multiple teams.
• Background creating training, work instructions, or technical documentation for development environments and tooling.
• Experience using AI-enabled tools or workflow automation to improve engineering productivity.
• Previous experience working within established aerospace development and certification processes.

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.