AI/ML Software Engineer

What we do matters.  

We are a high-growth, agile company creating safety and mission critical solutions in a synergistic environment between our people and our client partners. From F-35 and F-16 fighter jets to the latest aviation technologies, to working on medical devices, spacecraft, and satellites, our engineers have worked on some of the coolest Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Medical Device products in the world. 

Be part of the team powering engineering solutions that drive technology. 

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking an AI/ML Software Engineer to support advanced software development efforts in a mission-critical aerospace and defense environment. This role supports adaptive communications and waveform-related software development and sits at the intersection of AI/ML implementation, software engineering, and signal-oriented problem solving.

This is not a pure data science role, a pure MLOps role, or a pure research role. The strongest candidates will be able to take technically complex concepts and help translate them into executable, testable, and scalable software solutions. The work includes model implementation, software integration, data and evaluation pipelines, runtime components, APIs, containerization, technical documentation, and collaboration with research, systems, and test teams.

We are seeking a practical hybrid engineer: someone with strong software engineering capability, hands-on AI/ML implementation experience, and meaningful exposure to signal processing, waveforms, communications systems, RF-related analysis, or adjacent technical domains.

Due to the nature of this role, all candidates must be U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents.

This role is remote with <10% travel for customer collaboration as required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, train, refine, and integrate AI/ML models, decision logic, and supporting software for adaptive or generative applications.
• Develop software frameworks, runtime components, APIs, and integration layers that connect AI/ML capabilities with larger system architectures.
• Build and maintain training workflows, evaluation harnesses, preprocessing pipelines, and dataset tooling for simulated and operationally relevant environments.
• Support model evaluation against technical performance metrics and help analyze results from simulation, integration, and test environments.
• Contribute to signal-oriented software development involving communications, waveform-related logic, link metrics, or adjacent technical problems.
• Containerize software components and prepare runtime packages for automated test and evaluation execution.
• Refactor and harden software for production-quality use, including modular design, logging, error handling, documentation, traceability, and test coverage.
• Support technical reviews, development planning, integration activities, and customer-facing engineering discussions as needed.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including AI/ML engineers, software developers, communications or signal-processing specialists, system architects, and test teams.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related STEM field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in AI/ML software development, including model implementation, evaluation, and deployment.
• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Proficiency in at least one additional programming language, such as C or C++.
• Experience with one or more major ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Experience building software in a structured engineering environment using version control, code review, testing, and sound development practices.
• Meaningful experience or exposure in signal processing, waveforms, communications systems, RF-related analysis, or similarly relevant technical domains.
• Experience integrating software components into larger systems through APIs, runtime interfaces, containerization, or integration testing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional technical teams.
• U.S. Person status required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Direct experience with RF signal analysis, DSP, waveform development, modulation, channels, or link metrics.
• Experience with generative AI/ML models, reinforcement learning, contextual bandits, or other adaptive decision-policy methods.
• Experience with embedded systems, edge deployment, runtime-constrained environments, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience with simulation environments, test and evaluation workflows, or software used in mission-critical validation settings.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other mission-critical regulated domains.
• Experience in packaging ML or runtime components for containerized execution and technical integration.
• Experience translating early-stage research or advanced technical concepts into executable software and structured deliverables.
• Experience working under formal technical reviews, deliverables, and customer-directed

Technical Skills of Interest

• Python
• C / C++
• PyTorch / TensorFlow
• Data pipeline development
• Experiment tracking/configuration management
• API development and integration
• Docker/containerization
• Logging, testing, and software hardening
• Simulation and evaluation tooling
• Signal processing / communications-oriented software
• AI/ML deployment in constrained or mission-oriented environments
• execution models.

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.