The Industry Challenge
Aerospace and defense organizations are facing a convergence of challenges: persistent shortages of experienced engineering talent, increasing program complexity, rising training and rework costs, and rapidly evolving technologies. These pressures strain engineering bandwidth and expose gaps across operations, supply chain execution, and program delivery.
Why It Matters
When engineering and operational systems are inefficient, the impact is immediate and measurable. Schedule slips, cost growth, quality escapes, and delivery risk increase. Engineers spend time navigating process friction instead of advancing design, verification, and production readiness. In mission- and safety-critical environments, operational rigor is not optional.
Our Approach
QDSS applies structured, systems-based methodologies to strengthen the operational backbone that supports engineering delivery. We analyze workflows, governance models, and data handoffs across engineering, supply chain, quality, and program teams. Our focus is on process clarity, cost discipline, execution predictability, and scalable operating models that reduce risk over the full program lifecycle.
What We Deliver
- Streamlined, repeatable engineering and operational workflows
- Improved standards of work, documentation, and traceability
- Increased throughput and predictability across programs
- Reduced cost, rework, and execution risk
- Operating models designed to scale across programs and phases
Customer Impact
Customers realize faster turnaround, lower labor and material costs, improved quality performance, and sustained delivery confidence. QDSS has supported these outcomes across major aerospace and defense programs, including next-generation propulsion and other complex, high-consequence initiatives.
Our Disciplines
Project & Program Management
We provide disciplined project and program management support to improve execution confidence across complex engineering and production programs. Our teams support integrated schedules, work breakdown structures, resource planning, cost tracking, EVMS support, and risk mitigation that ensure alignment between engineering, supply chain, and program leadership.
Product Test Services
Our product test services support planning, coordination, execution, and reporting across development and production programs. This includes test plan development, instrumentation coordination, test monitoring, data collection, analysis, and issue resolution—strengthening validation, verification, and readiness decisions.
Technical Data Management
QDSS ensures technical data is accurate, controlled, and accessible across the enterprise. We support drawing release processes, configuration, and BOM management, interface documentation, data governance, and integration across PLM and enterprise systems. This reduces errors, rework, and knowledge loss.
Product & Material Cost-Out
QDSS drives cost reduction through structured analysis and execution. We support value engineering, cost-out initiatives, supplier collaboration, and data-driven decision-making to reduce product and material costs while protecting performance and reliability.
Supplier & Production Transition & Readiness
We support supplier onboarding, production transitions, and readiness activities to reduce ramp-up risk. Our teams help align technical requirements, processes, quality standards, and data flows—ensuring suppliers and production lines are prepared to execute reliably.
Spares Supply Chain Management
We manage spares planning, forecasting, and execution to support sustainment and aftermarket needs. Our teams improve availability, reduce lead times, and strengthen lifecycle support through disciplined spares supply chain processes.
Change Management
QDSS manages engineering and operational change with rigor and transparency. We support change request and change notice processes, impact assessments, configuration alignment, and stakeholder coordination to ensure changes are implemented efficiently without disrupting cost, schedule, or quality objectives.
Asset Management
We manage development and production assets across the program lifecycle. This includes hardware tracking, supplier coordination, alignment of internal and external logistics, maintenance planning, issue resolution, and recurring operational reporting to improve visibility, readiness, and accountability.
Quality Management
We embed quality into daily execution, not as an afterthought. Our teams support quality planning, issue tracking, corrective and preventive actions, audit readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives, helping customers improve first-pass yield and reduce downstream escapes.
Delivery & Quality Assurance
We provide delivery and quality assurance support to ensure products meet requirements, schedules, and customer expectations. This includes delivery tracking, quality verification, issue resolution, and coordination across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
Procure-to-Pay Management
QDSS supports end-to-end procure-to-pay processes, improving visibility, cycle time, and control. We help coordinate purchasing activities, supplier communication, data accuracy, and issue resolution to keep material flowing and programs on schedule.
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.