Tactical Communications Systems Engineer

PMAT•San Diego, CA

3d•$90,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

PMAT is seeking an experienced Tactical Communications Systems Engineer to support the installation, integration, operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and sustainment of tactical communications and RF systems for Navy and Joint operational environments. The role focuses on fielding and operational readiness of satellite communications, tactical data links, broadcast systems, and other mission-critical communications capabilities across shipboard, shore-based, and deployed environments. The engineer will work with operators, systems engineers, communications specialists, logisticians, and program stakeholders to diagnose equipment issues, perform preventive and corrective maintenance, and support reliable communications for mission requirements. The position requires hands-on technical expertise, independent problem-solving, and familiarity with Navy communications systems, maintenance procedures, and operational requirements. It is 100% on-site in San Diego, California, with work at PMAT offices as needed and possible work in government facilities. Travel is 25% CONUS and OCONUS for customer engagement, team coordination, and potentially business development. U.S. citizenship, no dual citizenship, and a SECRET security clearance are required.

Requirements

Strong experience supporting installation, operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, or fielding of military communications, RF systems, tactical data links, or related infrastructure.
Hands-on experience with RF communications equipment across SHF, EHF, HF, VHF, Ku-band, or comparable frequency bands and technologies.
Strong understanding of RF principles, signal propagation, transmission characteristics, antenna systems, frequency management, and spectrum awareness.
Experience supporting satellite communications, tactical broadcast systems, data links, or other mission-critical communications capabilities.
Experience with RF diagnostics, fault isolation, root-cause analysis, equipment testing, and preventive and corrective maintenance.
Experience inspecting, maintaining, troubleshooting, or repairing antennas, transmission lines, waveguides, RF components, and communications hardware.
Proficiency using RF test equipment and diagnostic tools to evaluate system functionality, signal performance, and equipment deficiencies.
Ability to interpret and follow technical orders, maintenance requirement cards, equipment manuals, engineering specifications, and established maintenance procedures.
Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, maintenance records, equipment status reports, troubleshooting procedures, and repair documentation.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to independently diagnose technical issues, perform maintenance, and implement corrective actions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate with operators, engineers, maintenance personnel, logisticians, and program leadership.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
U.S. citizenship required; dual citizenship is not permitted.
SECRET security clearance required.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Navy, Department of War, Joint, or other government tactical communications and operational environments.
Hands-on experience with IBS, GBS, Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, or other Navy and Joint tactical communications and data link systems.
Experience supporting military SATCOM, LOS, BLOS, and secure communications systems.
Experience installing, maintaining, or troubleshooting shipboard, shore-based, expeditionary, or deployable communications systems in operational or austere environments.
Experience using spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, RF power meters, multimeters, and other specialized communications diagnostic equipment.
Experience with antenna alignment, RF cable and connector maintenance, transmission-line testing, waveguide inspection, and communications equipment calibration.
Familiarity with COMSEC, encryption equipment, secure communications procedures, and applicable cybersecurity requirements.
Experience with Navy maintenance and installation processes, including planned maintenance systems, maintenance requirement cards, technical orders, and equipment configuration management.
Experience supporting communications system integration, interoperability testing, operational readiness assessments, installation verification, and technical refresh activities.
Familiarity with Navy C2, tactical networking, information warfare, or Joint communications architectures and their operational applications.
Experience supporting Fleet personnel, operational units, engineering teams, and program offices during communications system fielding, troubleshooting, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

Responsibilities

Install, configure, integrate, operate, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair tactical communications equipment and supporting infrastructure across SHF, EHF, HF, VHF, Ku-band, and other applicable RF systems.
Support fielding, testing, integration, and sustainment of satellite communications, tactical data links, broadcast systems, and secure communications capabilities in Navy operational environments.
Perform RF diagnostics, signal analysis, equipment testing, fault isolation, and root-cause analysis to resolve communications performance and connectivity issues.
Conduct preventive and corrective maintenance on communications equipment, antennas, transmission lines, waveguides, RF components, and associated hardware.
Support installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of IBS, GBS, Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, and other tactical communications and data link systems.
Operate and maintain RF diagnostic and test equipment to assess signal quality, transmission performance, equipment functionality, and system integrity.
Follow technical orders, maintenance requirement cards, equipment specifications, installation procedures, and established maintenance practices.
Develop and maintain technical documentation, maintenance records, equipment configurations, troubleshooting procedures, repair histories, and system status reports.
Coordinate with operators, engineers, logisticians, cybersecurity personnel, and program leadership to resolve technical issues, identify equipment deficiencies, manage maintenance requirements, and support capability delivery.
Support system testing, operational assessments, equipment upgrades, technical refreshes, and fielding activities; communicate performance, maintenance status, technical risks, and corrective-action recommendations.