Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems SME
About The Position
The Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) will provide Tier 3 tracking, planning, troubleshooting and coordination for all things satellite communications (SATCOM) systems related to Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems platforms while supporting a team. This can consist of work with full motion video (FMV), sensor data transport issues and development, and unit level support. The Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems SME will take part in any operations, mission planning, conferences and document writing as required by the customer. The Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems SME is part of a team that ensures effective SATCOM network utilization for Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems platforms. The Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems SME may be required to work priority issues after normal work hours, telephonically. The duty schedule for this position is a 5-day work week (Monday through Friday), 8 hours per day. The 5-day work week may include some nights/weekends and/or holidays and will include travel. The position is located at MacDill AFB, FL, and requires some travel to meet mission requirements.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree and 6+ years of experience or relevant combination of education and/or experience
- Candidate must have a Top Secret (TS) Clearance with SCI eligibility
- Experience with specific AISR platforms (manned or unmanned), including payload integration, sensor networking, or airborne communications setups
- Knowledge of advanced networking technologies such as SD‑WAN, MANET, mesh networking, or multi‑path transport
- Familiarity with cloud-based data architectures and enterprise ISR dissemination frameworks
- Experience with program offices, JCIDS documentation, or acquisition lifecycle support.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the technical authority for SATCOM, LOS/BLOS communications, and IT architecture supporting AISR platforms.
- Analyze, design, and optimize end‑to‑end data pathways from sensor to shooter, including onboard networks, RF systems, ground nodes, PED nodes, and enterprise transport layers.
- Evaluate and recommend improvements for IP networks, mission system architectures, datalinks, encryption solutions, cross‑domain technologies, and multi‑INT payload integrations.
- Support development and refinement of CONOPS, TTPs, and mission workflows related to data transport, airborne networking, and distributed operations.
- Perform assessments of current and emerging SATCOM systems, including GEO/HEO/MEO constellations, commercial/military waveforms, and adaptive networking technologies.
- Assess cyber vulnerabilities and ensure cybersecurity compliance for mission systems, data links, onboard networks, and ground infrastructure.
- Provide technical guidance for integration of new sensors, communication payloads, antennas, routers, servers, and software baselines into existing platforms.
- Collaborate with program offices, operators, engineering teams, and industry partners to align capability development with mission requirements.
- Prepare detailed engineering reports, platform assessments, interface documents, and briefings for leadership.
- Verify technical equipment specifications to ensure all new and existing aircraft follow policies and procedures set by USSOCOM J6 policy
- Support training of AISR management center personnel
- Travel to sites, if necessary, for planning, implementation, or troubleshooting of Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems platforms.
- May assist technical project leader or provide work leadership for lower-level employees
- May provide written technical descriptions and contribute to the development of technical solutions in support of proposal efforts
- Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization
- Attend appropriate engineering, customer, or business meetings
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
