Customer Challenge
A major customer needed to scale their engineering team quickly to work on Fly-by-Wire (FBW) systems, replacing conventional manual flight controls with electronic interfaces. They required a significant ramp-up of V&V engineers for their embedded flight control computer software but couldn’t achieve this on their own.
Scope
- Develop a Fly-by-Wire system to replace conventional flight controls
- Rapidly expand the engineering team working on embedded flight control computer software
- Ramp up V&V Engineers to support the existing process
Solution
- EXB was asked to provide a Team Lead, a Manager and 8 V&V resources for the initial engagement. We grew these resources from 10 to 50.
- There was a major V&V effort that was delayed by client. Our agile response included swiftly onboarding extra resources to successfully fulfill the expanded V&V effort.
- Gave customer realistic engineer ramp-up plan and used EXB TPM’s relationship to remove their Interviews allowing us to pick our own teams and expedite hiring process.
Benefits
- Successfully navigated the complete software development lifecycle for embedded flight control computer software.
- Within a dynamic six-month period, the team flourished from 18 to 50 members, strategically consolidating to 45.
- Emerged as the premier and largest supplier for the program, eventually backfilling key roles that were once held by competitors.
Results
- Rapid team expansion and efficient resource management
- Successful delivery of V&V efforts and embedded flight control software
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with agile response and resource scalability
Features
- Full software development lifecycle
- HLR and LLRs – DOORS
- Development – Simulink/Stateflow
- System level test – Python
- Software level test – C/C++
- Flight Control Systems
- Flight Management Systems
- DO-178C
- Agile Scrum
Chris Hardgrave joined Quest Defense in April 2024 as Vice President for Strategic Accounts. He is responsible for sales, growth, and development of strategic relationships for new business development efforts in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Chris works in the Washington, D.C. office.
Steve Gerber is President and CEO of QuEST Defense Systems and Solutions business and is responsible for providing the leadership and growth of this venture.
Pete Messerle is a Client Partner within the Sales Organization, with the focus of partnering across his customer’s organizations to understand their strategic and tactical needs. He then works with key stakeholders at Quest and the client to build customized service solutions, built on the foundation of low drag execution and full ownership & transparency of deliverables.
As the Quality Manager and Management Representative of Quest Defense, Stuart is responsible driving Business Excellence throughout the company. He maintains and improves the Quality Management System ensuring compliance to AS9100, customer requirements, and enabling continuous improvement innovations.
Ryan is the Facility Security Officer for Quest Defense, supporting the organization’s compliance with the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and other Department of Defense and federal security initiatives. Ryan has a background in personnel and physical security, working with both GE Aerospace and the U.S Navy, where he continues to serve as a reserve law enforcement officer (Master-at-Arms).
As Chief Engineer for Quest Defense, Jon is responsible for ensuring that sound engineering processes are maintained and followed by our employees working in a diverse set of services and disciplines across all verticals. In this role he also leads Quest Defense’s efforts to develop new methods and technologies to help grow the business through innovation, as well as building and promoting the technical reputation of the company in the public sphere.
Jeff Fischer serves as a board member for Quest Defense Systems and Solutions business. Additionally Jeff is the Operations Leader for the Quest Global Aerospace and Defense Industry.
Chad joined Quest Global in 2006, specializing in advanced modeling and simulation for multiple verticals and customers and becoming a technical lead for computational fluid dynamics. He has held several leadership positions within the delivery organization since his joining, leading multiple teams through periods of high growth and developing many new innovative services and solutions. Before taking on ownership of Operations for Quest Defense, he managed the Cincinnati Modeling & Simulation Center of Excellence.
As the President of Quest Global, Bob is responsible for establishing and maintaining senior customer relationships, catalysing new business development, and overseeing innovative and transformational deals. In this role, he also assists in building relationships with strategic acquisitions for the company.
Joe supports Special Missions across Quest Global to include key client contract negotiations, strategic business solutions, M&A, and culture endeavors.
John Thackrah is the founding Principal of Sextant Solutions LLC, an aerospace, maritime and government acquisition consultant.
Frank Kendall is an independent consultant to defense industry firms and non profit research organizations. He is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Senior Advisor to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a member of th e Council on Foreign Relations. Among other industry positions, he is a member of the board of directors of Leidos Corporation and of Leonardo Electronics USA Inc. From 2012 to 2017, Mr. Kendall served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, T echnology and Logistics (AT& after serving as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary from 2010 2012. Mr. Kendall has over 45 years of experience in engineering, management, defense acquisition, and national security affairs in private industry, governmen t, and the military.
Page Hoeper is a private consultant, corporate director, and venture capitalist. Since leaving government service, Mr. Hoeper has focused on corporate governance and board service. He chairs the boards of OnPoint Technologies, Inc., 501c(3) venture capital fund established by Congress to focus on emerging commercial technologies of interest to the U.S. Army, and Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, a provider of engineering services to the U.S. defense industry.