Senior Datalinks Engineer

Thompson Gray Inc.•Huntsville, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Thompson Gray is seeking a Senior Datalinks Engineer to support the PM UAS Technical Management Division (TMD) as its primary Division-level technical expert for UAS datalinks. The engineer will support the Chief Engineer, PM UAS Product Offices, the Component Technology Branch, and special projects aligned with the PM UAS mission. The position is full-time and primarily on-site, with limited telework eligibility, and may require travel up to 25%. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership and oversight across datalink development, integration, qualification, production, fielding, modernization, sustainment, and issue resolution. The role covers a broad range of technologies, including modems and RF equipment, antennas and radomes, RF interfaces and architectures, communications protocols and datalink standards, software and firmware, waveforms, frequency management, EMI/EMV design and qualification, EW hardening and resiliency, RF modeling and analysis, AES-256 and Type 1 encryption concepts, COMSEC, and TRANSEC. Work is divided approximately among enterprise datalink strategy, frequency management and external coordination (40%); technical support to Product Offices (50%); and Chief Engineer and special-project support (10%). The engineer will develop and communicate an enterprise UAS datalink strategy and technical roadmap; support frequency management and technical working groups; advise PM UAS leadership and Product Offices; and coordinate with government laboratories, military organizations, development organizations, contractors, and other stakeholders. Product Office support may include architecture and design reviews, requirements, RF and communications engineering, integration and qualification, upgrades, field investigations, trade studies, technical risk assessments, acquisition planning, contractor oversight, sustainment, and interoperability. The role also includes acquisition documentation, technical recommendations, external representation, and cross-functional systems engineering support. Thompson Gray describes itself as a multi-year winner of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Best Places to Work and highlights a culture valuing employees and customers. Benefits and additional offerings listed include competitive pay, insurance coverage, a 401(k) with employer match, company merchandise, a dependent scholarship program, tuition assistance, professional development, paid time off, federal holidays, flexible scheduling, charitable donations, and team-building events.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or another relevant technical discipline.
Demonstrated experience supporting complex technical systems, engineering programs, or acquisition programs.
Strong understanding of RF, communications, datalink, or related mission-system technologies.
Ability to independently investigate complex technical issues and develop technically sound recommendations.
Ability to develop and present technical reports, briefings, assessments, and recommendations to management and senior leadership.
Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Ability to work primarily on-site with limited telework eligibility.
Ability to travel up to 25%.
U.S. citizenship.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

More than five years of directly relevant professional experience; significantly greater experience is preferred for this senior-level role.
Previous Product Management Office, Program Management Office, or equivalent acquisition organization experience.
Army Aviation, UAS, aviation systems, or related DoD acquisition experience.
Industry experience supporting RF, communications, networking, datalinks, EW, or UAS systems.
Current TS/SCI clearance or demonstrated ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
Significant experience with UAS datalink systems, RF systems, tactical communications systems, or related mission systems.
Experience with RF system architecture, link budgets, RF modeling, antennas, modems, waveforms, or spectrum management.
Understanding of AES-256 and Type 1 encryption concepts and their application to tactical communications.
Working knowledge of COMSEC and TRANSEC principles and implementation considerations.
Experience interpreting, applying, developing, or maintaining communications and datalink standards.
Experience with frequency management and spectrum-related coordination.
Experience supporting EMI/EMV qualification, EW resiliency, electronic protection, or communications-system hardening.
Experience coordinating with government laboratories, C5ISR organizations, other government agencies, military services, coalition partners, NATO organizations, and industry.
Experience developing or reviewing Performance Work Statements, Statements of Work, technical requirements, source-selection documentation, or other technical acquisition documentation.
Experience supporting system development, integration, qualification, production, sustainment, modernization, upgrades, and field issue resolution.
Experience leading technical working groups, interface control working groups, or similar cross-organizational engineering forums.
Technical curiosity and the ability to investigate unfamiliar technical areas, identify unknowns, ask questions, and build understanding.
Systems thinking across platforms, networks, acquisition programs, operations, logistics, sustainment, interoperability, and mission outcomes.
Strategic thinking to develop enterprise-level strategy and roadmaps beyond individual technical issues.
Sound technical judgment in prioritizing issues and investigations.
Autonomy in engaging stakeholders and working through problems.

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate a comprehensive UAS datalink strategy aligned with PM UAS objectives, missions, architectures, and future capabilities.
Serve as the principal datalink technical advisor to the Chief Engineer, TMD leadership, Product Offices, and other PM UAS stakeholders.
Provide technical oversight for datalink development, integration, qualification, production, fielding, modernization, and sustainment.
Evaluate RF equipment, antennas, modems, radomes, communications protocols and interfaces, software, waveforms, and related systems and components.
Assess threat environments and their potential effects on UAS RF and communications systems.
Evaluate datalink resiliency, interoperability, spectrum, encryption, COMSEC, TRANSEC, EMI/EMV, and EW considerations.
Support technical assessments of current and emerging datalink capabilities, technologies, standards, and architectures.
Maintain awareness of relevant government, military, laboratory, industry, and coalition datalink initiatives and investments.
Support enterprise frequency management activities and lead or support the JSIL Interface Control Working Group for datalinks.
Provide technical support across PM UAS Product Offices, including architecture and design reviews, requirements development and assessment, RF and communications engineering, integration, qualification, upgrades, field issue resolution, trade studies, risk assessments, acquisition planning, contractor oversight, sustainment, and interoperability.
Coordinate with government laboratories, development organizations, contractors, Product Offices, peer organizations, and external stakeholders on technical, development, production, integration, sustainment, and government-furnished equipment or information activities.
Lead and participate in technical working groups, interface control working groups, engineering reviews, and acquisition forums.
Recommend technical directions, architectures, standards, policies, and investments to improve UAS mission effectiveness and survivability.
Represent PM UAS in external forums and communicate technical and programmatic considerations to stakeholders.
Plan and coordinate changes addressing system upgrades, modernization, obsolescence, and field problems.
Develop, author, and review Performance Work Statements, Statements of Work, technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and other acquisition documentation.
Evaluate competing technical approaches and recommend solutions based on performance, integration risk, schedule, cost, sustainment, and mission requirements.
Investigate emerging technical issues and provide technically defensible recommendations to leadership.
Communicate and work through differing technical opinions and organizational priorities to develop executable technical paths forward.
Perform additional technical and systems engineering activities assigned by the Team Lead, Branch Chief, Division Lead, or Chief Engineer.