[Hiring] Senior Hardware Obsolescence Engineer @Quest Defense Systems & Solutions

Role Description

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Senior Hardware Obsolescence Engineer to sustain and modernize safety-critical avionics hardware. The core of this role is board-level design and electronic component obsolescence:

• Assessing end-of-life parts
• Selecting and qualifying replacements
• Updating schematics and bills of material
• Verifying changes to existing hardware

You will work with hardware, FPGA, systems, software, and certification teams to manage the effects of those changes on programmable logic and system interfaces. We are looking for a hands-on electrical hardware engineer with FPGA experience or a working knowledge of FPGA devices and their board-level integration. This program is remote, based in the United States. U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident status is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of professional electrical hardware development experience, including hands-on board-level or PCB design work.
• Experience updating schematics, selecting electronic components, maintaining bills of material, and supporting board redesign or technology refresh.
• Experience assessing component obsolescence and qualifying replacements for existing electronic hardware.
• Working knowledge of FPGA devices, digital logic, and the electrical interfaces between programmable logic and the surrounding board design.
• Experience supporting DO-254 hardware development or verification and DO-160 environmental qualification activities.
• Knowledge of digital electronics, signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Experience with at least one relevant interface, such as ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet, PCIe, SPI, I²C, CAN, or UART.

Requirements

• Assess DMSMS and component lifecycle risks for existing avionics boards; recommend practical mitigation plans.
• Lead board-level technology refresh efforts, including replacement component selection, schematic updates, bills of material, and coordination with PCB layout teams.
• Evaluate alternate parts and design changes for electrical, functional, physical, and environmental compatibility; consider redesign and Last Time Buy options when appropriate.
• Review signal integrity, power integrity, EMI/EMC, and the impact of board changes on digital interfaces.
• Evaluate impacts to FPGAs, ASICs, CPLDs, PLDs, and their interfaces; coordinate programmable logic changes or replacements with FPGA specialists as needed.
• Support prototype bring-up, laboratory testing, troubleshooting, hardware integration, and verification of revised designs.
• Assess and document the effects of engineering changes on applicable DO-254, DO-160, ARP4754A, and ARP4761 activities.
• Prepare engineering change packages, qualification evidence, and certification-quality documentation; maintain configuration control and communicate recommendations to customers and internal teams.

Preferred Skills

• Hands-on FPGA development or verification using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog and tools such as AMD/Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, or Microchip Libero.
• Experience with ASIC-, CPLD-, PLD-, or discrete-logic-to-FPGA technology refresh efforts.
• Experience developing DMSMS mitigation plans, including alternate-source evaluation and Last Time Buy recommendations.
• Familiarity with ARP4754A, ARP4761, or FACE architecture and standards.
• Experience in commercial or military avionics programs involving flight displays, mission computers, navigation systems, flight controls, radar, engine controls, UAV/UAS platforms, or space electronics.
• Master’s degree in engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience adopting and/or integrating emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Professional development support
• Flexible, friendly workplace