Role Description
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
-
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.
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.
Requirements
-
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.
Benefits
-
Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.
-
Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications.
-
Pay Ranges: $110,000 — $165,000 USD.
