Senior Systems Engineer – TCAS/ACAS & Surveillance Avionics

Unlock the power of Safety and Mission Critical Engineering with QDSS. We are seeking exceptional individuals to join our elite team- where your expertise will make an impact that matters. Elevate your career in a company dedicated to excellence and the pursuit of safety and mission success.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer with TCAS/ACAS and surveillance avionics expertise to support development, integration, qualification, and certification of airborne surveillance and collision avoidance systems. The role spans requirements, architecture, integration, verification, certification, and flight test, with technical interfaces across hardware, software, RF, aircraft systems, customers, and certification teams.

Location: Phoenix, Arizona. On-site preferred, 3+ days/week

Citizenship: U.S. Person

Key Responsibilities

- Lead TCAS/ACAS and surveillance avionics systems engineering from requirements and architecture through integration, verification, qualification, certification, and flight test.

- Develop, allocate, validate, trace, and manage system requirements using IBM DOORS/DNG or comparable tools.

- Define system architectures, functional decomposition, interfaces, and system behavior across hardware, software, RF, and aircraft systems.

- Apply TCAS/ACAS, TA/RA, ADS-B, surveillance, and collision avoidance knowledge to system design and integration.

- Define and analyze ARINC 429, AFDX, and point-to-point avionics interfaces.

- Lead/support system integration, verification, troubleshooting, laboratory testing, aircraft integration, and flight-test activities.

- Support FAA certification, TSO, RTCA, and compliance activities, technical reviews, and certification documentation.

- Identify technical risks, resolve cross-functional issues, and drive actions to closure.

- Coordinate systems, software, hardware, RF, verification, certification, flight-test, program, and customer teams.

Required Qualifications

- 5–15 years of relevant systems engineering experience, preferably in airborne avionics or surveillance systems.

- Direct experience with TCAS II, ACAS Xa/Xo, or related airborne collision avoidance systems.

- Strong knowledge of TCAS/ACAS, TA/RA, ADS-B, surveillance, and collision avoidance concepts.

- Experience with system requirements development, decomposition, allocation, validation, traceability, and IBM DOORS/DNG.

- Experience developing complex avionics architectures and integrating hardware, software, RF, and aircraft interfaces.

- Knowledge of ARINC 429, AFDX, and point-to-point aircraft communications.

- Experience with system integration, verification, test procedures, and technical reviews.

- Familiarity with RF systems and airborne avionics integration.

- Working knowledge of embedded C/C++ sufficient to understand software/system interactions.

- Strong technical communication, customer interaction, risk management, and issue-resolution skills.

- Practical knowledge of applicable TSOs, including TSO-C219, TSO-C112e, TSO-C166b, TSO-C195b, and other applicable surveillance/collision avoidance TSOs.

- Must meet U.S. Person requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with Mode S, transponders, ADS-B In/Out, or related surveillance technologies.

- Familiarity with FAA certification, RTCA MOPS, and industry standards.

- Experience with equipment qualification, aircraft certification, ground/flight testing, anomaly investigation, and data analysis.

- Experience with aircraft OEMs, avionics suppliers, operators, or certification authorities.

- Experience with certification evidence and compliance documentation.

- Knowledge of RF surveillance architectures, antennas, signal paths, and RF performance.

- Experience leading cross-functional or distributed engineering teams.

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 certifications
Pay Ranges $127,000 — $167,000 USD
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.