Chief Software Engineer

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. Quest Defense Systems & Solutions (QDSS) is seeking a Chief Software Engineer with deep experience in mission- and safety-critical software, working within an engineering services model, supporting aerospace and defense programs. This role builds on strong software architecture experience and expands into a broader technical authority responsible for guiding how engineering is executed across multiple programs and customers. It is a customer-facing leadership position with accountability for technical direction, execution, and consistency of delivery. You will work directly with customer engineering leadership to shape software architecture, align on certification approach, and ensure teams are set up to deliver effectively. This includes translating requirements, contractual scope, and certification constraints into a clear and executable technical strategy. This role requires a balance of: Technical depth in DO-178C (DAL A–C) systems Experience working directly with customers Ability to guide multiple teams and programs Understanding of how to deliver within a services-based model Due to the nature of the work, all applicants must be U.S. citizens. This role can be done remotely with up to 25% travel. Preference is given to candidates who reside in Scottsdale, Minneapolis, or Cincinnati. Key Responsibilities: Customer-Facing Architecture Leadership Act as the primary technical point of contact between our engineering teams and customer leadership Turn customer requirements, contract scope, and certification needs into a clear, executable architecture approach Lead architecture discussions, trade studies, and key technical decisions with customer stakeholders Help guide customer technical direction while staying aligned with program scope and delivery commitments Present architecture, compliance approach, and technical risks in customer and executive reviews This isn’t a back-office architect role. You’ll be directly involved in active programs, working side-by-side with customers and delivery teams. Mission & Safety-Critical Architecture Ownership Define and lead software architecture for embedded, real-time, high-assurance systems Ensure alignment with key standards and processes, including: DO-178C (DAL A–C) ARP4754A system allocations Safety assessments and hazard mitigation Certification objectives and supporting evidence Drive core architectural decisions around: Modernization approaches Partitioning strategy Interface design Timing and resource management Fault containment and system robustness Safety-driven design patterns Engineering Services Delivery Model Integration This role operates in a services-based delivery environment, not an internal OEM setup. That means architecture has to support execution just as much as design. Define architecture in a way that enables: Multiple scrum teams working in parallel Coordination across distributed teams (onshore/offshore as needed) Clear breakdown of work into executable packages Structure architecture artifacts to support: Traceability to the Statement of Work Milestone-based delivery and billing Predictable integration and verification progress Contribute to proposals by helping define: ROM estimates Effort breakdowns Technical risks Staffing plans based on system complexity Team Technical Leadership & Oversight Provide hands-on architectural guidance across multiple engineers and/or scrum teams Help break down requirements into clear, testable, and implementable components Mentor engineers at all levels in safety-critical development practices Lead design reviews, interface reviews, and technical quality checks Ensure consistency in how solutions are implemented across teams Certif…