Tactical Communications and Field Systems Engineer

The role

The Tactical Communications and Field Systems Engineer designs, integrates, and maintains networks connecting unmanned platforms, ground control stations, and customer systems. This role supports field testing, demonstrations, exercises, and operational deployments.

What you will do

• Develop mission communications plans covering radio, satellite, mesh networks, IP addressing, encryption, and antenna placement.
• Configure, test, and maintain communications between unmanned platforms and ground control stations.
• Diagnose faults in radios, antennas, cabling, power systems, and IP networks.
• Coordinate frequency and satellite access requests with authorities.
• Manage communications security (COMSEC) key loading and accountability.
• Fabricate and repair cables, harnesses, and connectors.
• Maintain equipment inventories, configuration records, and field power systems.
• Survey and establish field sites and integrate data into customer systems.
• Evaluate radios, waveforms, and antennas.
• Train and qualify teammates and customers on communications equipment and procedures.

Required qualifications

• At least five years of experience planning, installing, operating, and maintaining tactical communications as a military communicator or field service representative, including deployments with combat
• Hands-on experience with HF, VHF, UHF, SATCOM, and mobile ad hoc or mesh networks.
• Experience with L3Harris AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-152, and AN/PRC-163; Motorola; TACSAT/MUOS; MPU5; Silvus; Doodle Labs; and Microhard.
• Working knowledge of RF propagation, antenna theory, and electromagnetic interference.
• Practical skills in RF cabling, connectors, grounding, field power, and soldering.
• Experience using spectrum analyzers, power and standing wave ratio meters, and multimeters.
• Proficiency in IP networking, including subnetting, DHCP, VLANs, routing, firewalls, VPNs, and Ethernet connections.
• Experience with COMSEC key handling and accountability, TRANSEC, emission control, spectrum coordination, and PACE planning.
• U.S. citizen with an active DoD Secret clearance or eligibility for reinstatement.
• Valid U.S. passport, or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to meet deployment medical and processing requirements.
• Ability to travel up to 50%, including internationally and to combat zones; work nights and weekends; and lift up to 60 pounds.

Nice to have

• CompTIA Security+, Network+, Linux+, Cisco CCNA, or a certification applicable to DoD 8140 workforce requirements.
• Military tactical communications experience, such as Army 18E/25C/25S/25U, Marine Corps 0621/0629, Air Force combat communications or TACP, Navy IT/ET, or Coast Guard IT, or equivalent contractor expe
• Integration or testing of unmanned aircraft and ground, surface, or underwater vehicles, including ground control station datalinks and counter-UAS systems.
• RF spectrum monitoring and signals analysis, with experience in 4G/LTE or satellite backhaul systems such as Starlink, Iridium, or VSAT.
• Experience using Python for automation, equipment configuration, or log and telemetry analysis.
• Experience with Linux command-line tools, single-board computers such as Raspberry Pi, and network diagnostics using Wireshark.
• Experience with Jira and Confluence.

Benefits

• Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero paycheck premiums for you and your family
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company match
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• 11 Paid holidays
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November & December
• Generous Parental Leave
• Military Leave for annual training or service requirements
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Professional Development Opportunities

Before you apply

• U.S. citizen with an active DoD Secret clearance or eligibility for reinstatement
• Must be able to meet deployment medical and processing requirements
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Commerc

About the company

NODA is a Veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. They develop solutions for the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space.