Lead FPGA / Hardware Engineer

Join the elite team at QDSS, where our engineers are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Medical Device products. Your work will make a real impact, contributing to the core of engineering solutions that drive technological advancements. 

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking an FPGA / Hardware Team Lead to support the development of advanced instrumentation and control electronic systems for the nuclear power industry. This role will support FPGA design, verification, simulation, integration, and test activities for complex control system hardware used in a highly regulated, safety-focused environment.

This is a technical leadership role for an engineer who can contribute directly to FPGA development and verification while also helping guide execution for a small engineering team. The selected candidate will be involved in design and test specifications, FPGA simulation, integration support, development of test hardware and software, and execution of informal and formal test campaigns.

This role is best suited for someone who enjoys staying technically involved while also taking ownership of team coordination, delivery commitments, and engineering quality.

The position may be based in Wilmington, NC, or performed remotely, with approximately 10 to 15% travel during testing, integration, and key design phases. All candidates must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents.

Key Responsibilities:   

FPGA Design, Verification & Technical Execution

• Support FPGA development, simulation, integration, and test activities for instrumentation and control electronic systems.
• Develop, update, and review FPGA design documentation, including design specifications, test specifications, requirements, and traceability documentation.
• Perform FPGA design and verification using languages and methodologies such as VHDL, SystemVerilog, and UVM.
• Support simulation, debugging, root cause analysis, and resolution of FPGA design or verification issues.
• Participate in FPGA design flow activities, including design implementation, simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, integration, and test support.
• Support development and execution of informal and formal test campaigns for FPGA and hardware products.
• Prepare, develop, and support engineering test fixtures, test tools, simulations, and related hardware/software used in the development of I&C electronic systems.

Team Leadership & Execution

• Provide technical leadership and day-to-day coordination for a team of FPGA, hardware, and test engineers.
• Own sprint execution, task coordination, delivery commitments, and schedule visibility for assigned work.
• Help translate program requirements and technical objectives into actionable engineering tasks.
• Drive accountability, remove roadblocks, and support consistent progress across design, verification, integration, and test activities.
• Guide and mentor engineers by providing technical direction, leveraging subject matter experts, and helping the team make sound engineering decisions.
• Balance technical risk, program priorities, and resource needs to support on-time, high-quality delivery.

Customer & Stakeholder Interface

• Serve as a day-to-day technical point of contact for program management, customers, and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate progress, risks, blockers, and mitigation plans clearly and professionally.
• Support technical interchange meetings, sprint reviews, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and milestone reviews.
• Coordinate across FPGA, hardware, systems, software, and test organizations to ensure alignment across the full development lifecycle.

Technical Oversight & Risk Management

• Review technical approaches, design decisions, verification plans, and test strategies with the engineering team.
• Identify technical risk areas early and support mitigation planning with senior engineers and subject matter experts.
• Ensure engineering work follows applicable QDSS processes, customer expectations, and quality standards.
• Support integration planning, test readiness, troubleshooting, and issue resolution during key phases of development.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team environment focused on technical quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in FPGA design, FPGA verification, digital hardware development, hardware testing, or related engineering work.
• Minimum of 2+ years prior experience leading a small technical team, mentoring engineers, coordinating sprint execution, or managing technical task priorities.
• Hands-on experience with FPGA design and verification using VHDL, SystemVerilog, UVM, or similar languages and methodologies.
• Working knowledge of FPGA and hardware development lifecycles, including requirements, design, verification, validation, integration, and test documentation.
• Ability to troubleshoot FPGA, hardware, or verification issues through simulation, lab integration, debugging, and root cause analysis.
• Experience supporting formal or informal test campaigns for hardware, FPGA, or electronic systems.
• Ability to provide technical guidance, coordinate engineering tasks, mentor team members, or lead technical workstreams.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work with program leadership, customers, stakeholders, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience working in a structured, regulated, safety-critical, mission-critical, or quality-driven engineering environment.
• U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency is required.
• Ability to travel approximately 10 to 15% during testing, integration, and key design phases as needed.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in nuclear, energy, aerospace, defense, avionics, industrial controls, or another regulated engineering environment.
• Experience with instrumentation and control electronic systems, real-time embedded hardware, safety-critical controls, or complex electronic systems.
• Experience with FPGA development and simulation tools such as Quartus, Vivado, ModelSim, Questa, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, Tcl, or similar tools used for automation, simulation, test, or workflow efficiency.
• Experience supporting technical reviews, design reviews, test readiness reviews, milestone reviews, or customer-facing technical meetings.
• Personnel management experience, including coaching, performance feedback, training plans, or employee development.
• Experience in adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.

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.