Senior Embedded Platform / Multicore Performance Engineer

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 a Senior Embedded Platform / Multicore Software Engineer to support the development and modernization of platform software for advanced avionics display systems. This role will focus on low-level real-time software development, multicore processor architecture, deterministic execution, shared resource management, and system performance within safety-critical embedded environments.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience developing embedded platform software in Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) environments, along with a deep understanding of multicore processors, cache and memory architecture, resource isolation, and performance analysis. This individual will collaborate with graphics, systems, hardware, and software engineering teams to analyze system behavior, address shared-resource interference, and optimize execution across CPUs, GPUs, memory, I/O, and other integrated hardware resources.

Experience working within DO-178B/C development and certification environments is required. Practical experience with DEOS RTOS is highly preferred, although candidates with strong low-level development experience using comparable safety-critical RTOS platforms may also be considered.

Hybrid work in Phoenix, AZ is preferred; however, qualified remote candidates will be considered. U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident status is required.

Key Responsibilities:   

• Design, develop, integrate, and maintain platform software for safety-critical embedded systems operating in real-time environments.
• Develop and optimize software solutions supporting multicore processor architectures and deterministic system behavior.
• Analyze and mitigate performance impacts caused by shared hardware resources, including processors, memory subsystems, GPUs, I/O devices, FPGAs, and storage devices.
• Evaluate and optimize cache utilization, memory access patterns, resource isolation strategies, and system-level performance.
• Perform Worst-Case Execution Time (WCET) analysis and support deterministic execution requirements for safety-critical applications.
• Develop and implement strategies for cache partitioning, resource allocation, and performance isolation within multicore environments.
• Support RTOS configuration, integration, optimization, and troubleshooting activities, with an emphasis on safety-critical embedded platforms.
• Collaborate with graphics, systems, software, and hardware engineering teams to identify and resolve platform-level performance bottlenecks.
• Support software verification, validation, debugging, and integration activities throughout the development lifecycle.
• Participate in software architecture reviews, technical trade studies, and multicore performance assessments.
• Develop technical documentation and engineering artifacts in support of software development and certification activities.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership in embedded platform software, multicore architectures, and RTOS-based development.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience developing software for embedded and real-time systems.
• Strong programming experience in C and/or C++ within embedded software environments.
• Experience developing low-level platform software, board support software, operating system software, or embedded infrastructure software.
• Experience working with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) in safety-critical or high-reliability environments. (DEOS highly preferred)
• Experience working within DO-178B and/or DO-178C software development and certification environments.
• Strong understanding of multicore processor architectures and system-level behavior.
• Experience analyzing processor, memory, and cache performance, including cache hierarchy, memory controllers, shared memory, and DDR memory systems.
• Experience evaluating and optimizing software performance in multicore embedded systems.
• Experience supporting deterministic execution requirements and real-time system performance objectives.
• Experience debugging and troubleshooting complex embedded software issues at the system level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across software, systems, hardware, and integration teams.
• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident status.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with DEOS RTOS.
• Experience performing Worst-Case Execution Time (WCET) analysis.
• Experience with cache partitioning, resource isolation, and multicore interference mitigation techniques.
• Familiarity with FAA multicore certification guidance, including AC 20-193.
• Experience with performance monitoring tools, performance counters, and Quality of Service (QoS) analysis.
• Experience supporting avionics display systems or other aerospace embedded platforms.
• Experience analyzing shared resource utilization across CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, I/O devices, and memory subsystems.
• Experience with safety-critical RTOS platforms such as DEOS, VxWorks, Integrity, LynxOS, PikeOS, or similar operating systems.
• Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in the adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.

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.