Principal Communications Integration Engineer

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Department Summary:

The Tactical Air Dominance Department (N151) is transforming warfighter operations by accelerating the fielding of advanced families of weapon systems through digital acquisition, advanced simulation and emulation, resilient communications, and autonomy experimentation. Our work programs contribute to the United States Air Force Operational Imperatives where we are enabling the warfighter to execute current and emerging kill chains effectively and efficiently in highly contested environments. We strongly value deep technical and operational expertise, a mission-oriented mindset, and a desire to firmly link the acquisition of advanced capabilities to operational warfighters, analysts, and end-users. Our Department is seeking an experienced, assertive, highly entrepreneurial, and collaborative Principal Communications Networking Engineer to help shape and execute our work program spanning Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, and Eglin Air Force Base, FL. This position offers challenging opportunities to apply integration, innovation, and analysis skills to directly address some of the Air Force’s highest priority challenges. This position is located at Eglin AFB, FL, and may require temporary duty travel to support our sponsors.

Job Description:

Serve as a thought leader in advanced tactical data link messaging, networking, and weapon system integration concepts to analyze operational requirements, address communications challenges, and apply sound technology solutions to benefit sponsor mission outcomes.
Inform interface control documents (ICDs), concept of operations (CONOPs), and strategies for tactical datalink network enabled weapon modernization, operations, and security.
Apply modeling, simulation, emulation, and packet-level analysis to evaluate end-to-end performance of advanced tactical datalink networks and weapon system operations within stand-in and stand-off kill webs.
Guide DoD weapon development efforts for verification and validation of tactical datalink prototype solutions, leveraging lab and field experimentation to assess emerging protocols/networking technologies and the applicability to unique sponsor mission environments.
Lead and actively collaborate across MITRE, DoD sponsor Working Groups, and stakeholders in technical exchanges to share knowledge and research, and elicit feedback from a diverse set of subject matter experts.
Serve as a subject matter expert on government and industry best practices to create timely and actionable recommendations and create optimal interoperable solutions.

Basic Qualifications:

Active DoD Secret clearance
Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM related field; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
10+ years Communications Network Engineering experience and 5+ years of Technical Leadership experience.
Hands-on experience designing and evaluating the performance of tactical data link protocols and configurations for networked communications, including data link, network (including routing), and transport layers.
Deep technical knowledge of MIL-STD-6016, MIL-STD-6020, and other modern Link 16 and Weapon Data Link (WDL) messaging standards, protocols, gateways, message forwarding, and message routing tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across challenging and diverse stakeholders to propose, shape, and lead high-visibility and high-impact work.
This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

Active TS/SCI clearance
Master’s degree in a STEM related field
15+ years Communications Network Engineering expertise and 10+ years of Technical Leadership experience.
Applied knowledge of Department of Defense (DoD) traditional and non-traditional acquisition processes. Experience leading Air Force programs from concept through fielding and initial operational capability (IOC).
Deep technical understanding of Joint communications concepts and technologies, as well as familiarity with enterprise networking encompassing command and control (C2) and battle management.
Familiarity with DoD messaging standards such as Variable Message Format (VMF), Universal Command and Control Interface (UCI), Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL), etc.
Joint Interoperability Control Officer (JICO) experience and expertise is desired.
Deep technical knowledge in two or more key domain areas such as: Operational Analysis, Open Mission Systems (OMS), Modeling and Simulation, Mission Engineering, and/or Test and Evaluation
Leadership roles interfacing with and responsible for engagements with Senior Air Force General Officer (GO) and Senior Executive Service (SES) sponsors.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

Work Location Type:

Hybrid

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