The Industry Reality
Aerospace and defense programs demand high-performance mechanical solutions across propulsion systems, aircraft structures, and mission-critical components. Designs must withstand extreme environments, tight margins, evolving requirements, and long service lives—often under intense cost and schedule pressure.
Why It Matters
Mechanical design underpins safety, durability, and operational efficiency. Weak assumptions, incomplete analysis, or poor integration can cascade into weight growth, rework, certification delays, or in-service failures. In complex defense platforms, design quality directly affects lifecycle cost and mission readiness.
Our Approach
QDSS applies disciplined, model-based mechanical engineering grounded in real-world execution. We integrate design, analysis, cost, and producibility from the outset—leveraging digital collaboration, validated methods, and cross-functional workflows. Our teams work seamlessly across OEM and supplier environments to deliver designs that are certifiable, producible, and ready to scale.
What We Deliver
- Robust mechanical designs from concept through production
- Integrated structural, fatigue, and dynamics analysis
- Weight, cost, and manufacturability optimization
- Clear technical documentation and change control
- Design solutions that withstand certification and sustainment realities
Customer Impact
Customers benefit from faster design cycles, reduced rework, improved weight and cost performance, and increased confidence at critical program milestones. QDSS mechanical designs support stringent aerospace and defense standards—delivered with speed, technical rigor, and long-term performance in mind.
Our Disciplines
Mechanical Component & System Design
From concept through certification.
Component, sub-system, and assembly design aligned to program, IPT, and airworthiness requirements.
Product Definition & CAD Modeling
Design intent, made buildable.
Production-ready CAD, MBD/PMI, assembly-aided design, and detailed drawings aligned to manufacturing and inspection.
Design Change & Non-Conformance Engineering
When reality deviates from the drawing.
Compliant disposition, repair, and margin assessment to safely extend part life and maintain certification integrity.
Structural, FEA & Dynamics Analysis
Proving strength, life, and behavior.
Linear and nonlinear FEA, fatigue and damage tolerance, vibration, lifing, and dynamic event analysis for metallic and composite structures.
Cost & Weight Engineering
Performance without excess.
Should-cost modeling, value engineering, and trade studies that balance weight, cost, and capability.
Manufacturing & Tooling Support
Reducing risk at the handoff to production.
Fixture and tooling design, CAM/CMM support, inspection planning, and prototype build support.
Success Stories
Interested in learning more?
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In the News
28 November 2019
Aeromag Asia | Redefining the Digital Scope in Manufacturing for Aerospace
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.
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.
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.
Joe supports Special Missions across Quest Global to include key client contract negotiations, strategic business solutions, M&A, and culture endeavors.
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.
John Thackrah is the founding Principal of Sextant Solutions LLC, an aerospace, maritime and government acquisition consultant.
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.
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.