Principal Communication/Navigation Engineer

Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.•Dayton, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Odyssey is hiring a Principal Communication/Navigation Engineer to support the Fixed Wing Modification Branch AFLCMC/WIU. The program focuses on modification and sustainment support for SOF/PR and ISR fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The role provides engineering support for aircraft communications, navigation, and avionics systems throughout the acquisition lifecycle, including CNS/ATM requirements development, integration, testing, certification, deployment, and sustainment. The engineer serves as a CNI subject matter expert for navigation system development and modernization and supports FAA and National Airspace System compliance, certification, and performance assessment activities. The position supports system requirements and design activities, including evaluating system architectures, specifications, interfaces, interoperability, integration approaches, and technical risks. It contributes to airworthiness, safety, OSS&E, and acquisition engineering efforts, and supports source selections, technical evaluations, and lifecycle program decisions. The role also involves managing and supporting navigation databases and mission planning systems, coordinating with government agencies, suppliers, and other stakeholders, and preparing technical documentation, briefings, and recommendations. This is an onsite position at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, with 10% travel. The position requires U.S. citizenship and a Secret clearance. Education and experience requirements are either a master’s or doctorate in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program plus at least 20 years of relevant experience, including 12 years in the DoD; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program plus 25 years of relevant experience, including 15 years in the DoD.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must hold a Secret clearance.
Either a master’s or doctorate degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program and at least 20 years of experience in the relevant technical or professional discipline, including 12 years in the DoD; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program and 25 years of relevant experience, including 15 years in the DoD.
Experience or skills in engineering support for aircraft communications, navigation, CNS/ATM systems, mission planning systems, and avionics modernization.
Experience or skills in requirements development, trade studies, system specifications, architecture analysis, integration, verification, and DOORS-based requirements management.
Experience or skills in airworthiness determinations, Military Flight Releases, OSS&E assessments, FAA/NAS compliance, and certification support in accordance with MIL-HDBK-516 and MIL-STD-882.
Experience or skills in acquisition engineering, technical evaluations, source-selection support, risk assessments, mitigation planning, PWS/RFP/CDRL development, and lifecycle program support.
Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams, leadership, stakeholders, and external partners.
Clear and effective communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Ability to build productive relationships across government, industry, and academic organizations.
Proactive problem-solving skills and the ability to facilitate discussions, resolve issues, and drive consensus.

Responsibilities

Provide engineering support for aircraft communication, navigation, and avionics systems throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
Support CNS/ATM system requirements development, integration, testing, certification, deployment, and sustainment.
Serve as a CNI subject matter expert for navigation system development and modernization efforts.
Support FAA and National Airspace System compliance, certification, and performance assessment activities.
Manage and support navigation databases, mission planning systems, and associated avionics technologies.
Coordinate with government agencies, suppliers, and stakeholders to support system integration and certification.
Develop technical documentation for systems engineering, airworthiness, OSS&E, and safety certification activities.
Support compliance with MIL-HDBK-516, MIL-STD-882, and DAFI 63-1201 requirements.
Plan, analyze, and evaluate efforts to define weapon-system and subsystem requirements, translate requirements into design criteria, evaluate alternative designs, develop system specifications, and perform trade studies.
Review system design baselines, architectures, interoperability requirements, specifications, ICDs, and integration approaches; identify risks and make recommendations.
Conduct technical assessments, evaluate proposals, perform trade studies, develop recommendations, and support engineering decisions throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
Evaluate technical risk and OSS&E, establish mitigation plans, and support risk-reduction efforts.
Support airworthiness determinations, Military Flight Releases (MFRs), MACC development, tailored airworthiness criteria, and compliance with MIL-HDBK-516.
Apply DoD acquisition engineering principles and support source selections; develop acquisition strategies, technical evaluation criteria, PWSs, RFPs, and CDRLs.
Support requirements management using DOORS and architecture tools; participate in TIMs, design reviews, and configuration boards; prepare technical briefings and recommendations.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, leadership, stakeholders, and external partners; communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences; build relationships across government, industry, and academic organizations; facilitate discussions, resolve issues, and drive consensus.