Senior Datalinks Engineer

Offset Strategic Services LLC•Huntsville, AL

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Offset Strategic Services (OSS) 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. This individual will directly support the Chief Engineer, PM UAS Product Offices, the Component Technology Branch, and special projects aligned with the PM UAS mission. This senior technical leadership position requires someone who can work with significant autonomy across engineering and acquisition disciplines, solve complex and sometimes ambiguous technical problems, and represent PM UAS technical strategy to internal and external stakeholders. The position is full-time and primarily on-site, with limited telework eligibility. The selected candidate is expected to begin as soon as practical and transition responsibilities from the current subject matter expert over several months.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or another relevant technical discipline.
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 personnel and nontechnical 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; substantially greater experience is preferred for this senior-level role.
Experience with a Product Management Office, Program Management Office, or equivalent acquisition organization.
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 one.
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 coordination.
Experience supporting EMI/EMC 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 documents.
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 engineering forums involving multiple organizations.

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate a comprehensive UAS datalink strategy consistent 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 system development, integration, qualification, production, fielding, modernization, and sustainment.
Evaluate systems, subsystems, and components involving RF equipment, antennas, modems, radomes, communications protocols, interfaces, software, waveforms, and related technologies.
Assess relevant threat environments and their potential effects on UAS RF and communications systems.
Evaluate datalink resiliency, interoperability, spectrum, encryption, COMSEC, TRANSEC, EMI/EMC, and EW considerations.
Assess current and emerging datalink capabilities, technologies, standards, and architectures.
Maintain awareness of relevant government, military service, laboratory, industry, and coalition datalink initiatives.
Lead and participate in technical working groups, interface control working groups, engineering reviews, and acquisition forums.
Coordinate with government laboratories, development organizations, contractors, other Product Offices, and external stakeholders.
Recommend technical direction, architectures, standards, policies, and investments to improve UAS mission effectiveness and survivability.
Represent PM UAS in external forums and communicate technical and programmatic considerations effectively.
Coordinate with peer organizations on government-furnished equipment and information, development, production, integration, and sustainment activities.
Plan, coordinate, and execute changes that address critical system upgrades, modernization efforts, obsolescence issues, and field problems.
Develop and review Performance Work Statements, Statements of Work, technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and other acquisition documentation associated with datalink development and modification.
Evaluate competing technical approaches and recommend solutions based on performance, integration risk, schedule, cost, sustainment, and mission requirements.
Communicate effectively with government personnel, contractors, engineers, logisticians, program managers, acquisition professionals, business personnel, and senior leadership.
Work through differing technical opinions and organizational priorities to develop executable technical approaches.
Perform additional technical and systems engineering activities as assigned by the Team Lead, Branch Chief, Division Lead, or Chief Engineer.