Electronic Hardware Engineer

Shape the future of innovation as we tackle cutting-edge projects that make a difference.

We’re not just in the business of engineering—we’re building a brighter future. Driven by creativity and a culture of excellence, we believe in the power of engineering to solve today’s challenges and create opportunities for tomorrow. What we do matters.

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking an Electronic Hardware Engineer to support the development of a next-generation control system for small modular nuclear reactors in the nuclear power industry. This role focuses on PCB design and hardware development, contributing across the full lifecycle from schematic capture and layout through validation and production support.

You’ll work alongside senior engineers on highly reliable, safety-critical systems, gaining exposure to real-world challenges including signal integrity, thermal performance, EMI, and manufacturability.

Location: Remote, though onsite/hybrid is preferred in Wilmington, NC.
Clearance: All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Support PCB design and development activities across the full lifecycle
• Contribute to schematic capture, PCB layout, routing, and placement using tools such as Altium
• Assist with component selection and BOM development under guidance from senior engineers
• Apply board-level design considerations, including signal integrity, EMI, and thermal performance
• Participate in board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation efforts
• Support integration and system-level testing, including documenting results and resolving issues
• Assist in developing manufacturing test procedures and supporting production readiness
• Troubleshoot hardware issues across development and test environments
• Support mechanical integration considerations, including packaging and enclosure constraints
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including systems, software, and manufacturing
• Communicate progress and technical findings to team leads and stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of experience in electronic hardware / PCB design
• Experience contributing to PCB development (schematic, layout, or validation)
• Familiarity with PCB design tools (Altium or equivalent)
• Exposure to board bring-up, debugging, or hardware testing
• Experience in regulated or high-reliability industries (aerospace, defense, nuclear, etc.)
• Experience working in a team-based hardware development environment
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of:
  • Signal integrity
  • EMI/EMC considerations
  • Thermal basics
• Background in instrumentation & controls (I&C) or control systems hardware
• Exposure to DFM/DFA or working with manufacturing teams
• Experience supporting integration or system-level testing
• Familiarity with design documentation and engineering processes
• Experience working on complex or multi-board systems

The QDSS Advantage

At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges.