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Quest Defense

Develops aerospace and defense engineering solutions

Embedded Software Engineer

Full-Time
$100k - $165k+ $10,000 sign-on bonus + Relocation assistance
Mid, Senior
Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
In Person
Software EngineeringEmbedded Engineering
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain an active Secret clearance are required.
  • At least 2–5+ years of experience with object-oriented programming, preferably in C++.
  • Willingness to work onsite in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • Experience developing and integrating software for complex, multithreaded embedded C and C++ product codebases.
  • Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python.
  • Proficiency in writing unit tests and ensuring code reliability.
  • Basic knowledge of networking protocols and architecture.
  • Experience developing or supporting device drivers.
Responsibilities
  • Support the full software development lifecycle, including design, development, testing, and deployment in a secure environment.
  • Support the design and development of embedded software solutions for communications products.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure seamless integration with embedded systems and networking components.
  • Develop and maintain unit tests to ensure the reliability and robustness of new and legacy systems.
  • Work closely with system architects and technical leads to maintain and improve the overall software architecture.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience developing TCP/IP network applications.
  • Experience with UML.
  • Experience with CORBA.
  • Experience with Linux.
  • Familiarity with embedded systems development for Software Defined Radios.
  • Prior experience working on Department of Defense projects.
  • Experience working with MIL-STD-1553 and MIL-STD-188.

About the company

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions engineers aerospace and defense capabilities and builds systems that address mission-critical challenges to keep people safe and advance defense technology. Its products include next-generation aerospace solutions and integrated defense systems designed to perform under high-stakes conditions. The company differentiates itself through more than 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering experience, a track record of delivering high-quality, transformative solutions, and a commitment to partnering with customers to solve the world’s hardest engineering problems. Its goal is to be the most trusted partner for the most challenging engineering problems, guiding the industry and driving meaningful change in aerospace and defense.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Cincinnati, Ohio

Founded

N/A

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Quest Defense planned 150 new jobs and $12 million payroll through 2027.
  • ISG 2025 and 2026 recognition strengthens credibility with aerospace and defense buyers.
  • UC co-op partnerships improve hiring, retention, and local engineering pipeline quality.

What critics are saying

  • Quest Defense depends on defense primes and procurement cycles, exposing it to program delays.
  • No clear contract wins or federal awards surfaced, limiting visibility into near-term revenue.
  • If Quest Global shifts priorities, Quest Defense loses strategic support and talent investment.

What makes Quest Defense unique

  • Quest Defense, founded in 2021, targets U.S. aerospace and defense engineering.
  • Blue Ash and Cincinnati anchor its U.S. footprint, plus UC's 1819 Innovation Hub.
  • Quest Global's EXB Solutions acquisition deepens Quest Defense's software and mission-critical engineering bench.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Flexible Work Hours