Senior Electronic Hardware Engineer

Responsibilities

• Own full lifecycle PCB design and development from concept through production and sustaining support
• Define design approach, including requirements interpretation, architecture, and component selection
• Develop schematic capture, PCB layout, routing, and placement using tools such as Altium
• Establish board-level design considerations, including signal integrity, power distribution, EMI, and thermal performance
• Perform and support board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation activities
• Develop and execute integration and system-level testing, documenting results and resolving issues
• Create manufacturing test procedures and support production readiness, including DFM/DFA considerations
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues across development and production environments
• Support mechanical integration, including enclosure, packaging, and thermal constraints
• Provide production and sustaining engineering support, including issue resolution and design updates
• Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful delivery
• Engage with customers and internal stakeholders to define scope, review designs, and assess technical risks
• Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 10+ years of experience in electronic hardware / PCB design
• Proven experience owning full lifecycle PCB development (architecture, schematic capture, layout, validation, and production)
• Strong experience with component selection and BOM development, including lifecycle and availability considerations
• Proficiency with PCB design tools (Altium preferred or equivalent ECAD tools)
• Hands-on experience with board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation
• Solid understanding of:
• Signal integrity
• Power integrity
• EMI/EMC considerations
• Thermal design considerations
• Experience designing for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA) and working with fabrication/assembly vendors
• Experience supporting production and sustaining engineering efforts
• Ability to work across electrical and mechanical interfaces (enclosures, packaging, thermal constraints)
• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical/regulated environments
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams

Requirements

• Background in instrumentation & controls (I&C) or control systems hardware
• Experience with high-reliability or long lifecycle product design
• Familiarity with design documentation, traceability, and regulated development processes
• Experience with system-level integration and test in complex hardware environments
• Exposure to environmental, EMI/EMC, or thermal testing and validation
• Experience supporting low-volume, high-complexity production environments
• 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.
• Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifica

Benefits

Additional Information

Embark on a journey with QDSS at the forefront of technological innovation as we seek talented Engineers to shape the future of cutting-edge projects and contribute to a culture of excellence and creativity. What we do matters. Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a Senior Electronic Hardware Engineer to support the development of a next-generation control system for small modular nuclear reactors in the nuclear power industry. This is a hands-on role focused on full-lifecycle PCB design, where you will own hardware from early-stage architecture and component selection through schematic capture, layout, board bring-up, validation, and production support. You'll be working on highly reliable, safety-critical systems where design decisions directly impact real-world performance. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys taking full ownership of their boards, working across electrical and mechanical boundaries, and solving complex challenges related to signal integrity, thermal performance, EMI, and manufacturability. Location: Remote, though on-site/hybrid in Wilmington, NC, preferred. Clearance: All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.

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