Lead Communications Systems Engineer - Tactical Data Links

Chaos Industries; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k match

FSA

HSA

Life insurance

Free daily lunch

No meeting Fridays

Unlimited PTO

Casual dress code

Relocation assistance

Annual bonuses

Job summary

CHAOS Industries in Los Angeles, CA, is seeking a Lead Communications Systems Engineer to design and develop directional data links for a Coherent Distributed Network (CDN). You will mentor engineers, lead field tests, and work onsite at El Segundo or San Diego.

You will apply RF systems knowledge, DSP, and algorithms in C++, Python, and MATLAB to deliver real-time, low-latency communications for tactical environments across mobile nodes. A STEM degree and 10+ years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM required.
• +10 years of directional communications systems experience.
• Strong familiarity with Python or MATLAB.
• Systems Engineering experience with RF systems.
• Expertise in digital signal processing.
• Expertise in algorithm development.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Experience leading a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced directive data links to connect CDN nodes.
• Lead efforts to reduce RF signature of data links.
• Incorporate precise time-transfer algorithms into the network.
• Develop new communications capabilities with minimal guidance.
• Prototype hardware or procure low-cost hardware for data links.
• Modeling and simulation of radar systems and signal chain.
• Plan field tests and data collection activities.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C++

RF Systems

Digital Signal Processing

Algorithm Development

Team Leadership

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Independent Worker

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Graduate degree in STEM

Tools

FPGAs

DSPs

Job description

Lead Communications Systems Engineer - Tactical Data Links

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with omniscient systems purpose-built for today’s realities. Designed and built by top U.S. military veterans and Silicon Valley innovators, CHAOS Industries’ products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats. In a world where technological threats move at unprecedented speed, CHAOS Industries delivers advanced sensing and detection solutions that give the ultimate advantage: time.

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised $1B in total funding from leading investors including 8VC, Accel, and NEA. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com .

Role Overview

• Lead a team responsible for the design and development of cutting-edge communications and data link systems to interconnect and support Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN)
• Support key capabilities to support existing CHAOS sensor products
• Develop new communications product families with leading-edge capabilities

Responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced directive data links to connect nodes in a CDN
• Implement approaches to reduce the RF signature created by the data links
• Working with a group of timing experts, lead an effort to incorporate highly accurate time-transfer algorithms into the network
• Lead the development of new communications capabilities with minimal guidance
• Procure or develop low-cost, robust hardware to achieve data links in tactical environments between mobile nodes
• Explore and implement approaches to position nodes accurately without reliance on GPS
• Implement algorithms to achieve advanced directional beamforming
• Optimize algorithms for real-time performance and resource constraints
• Implement algorithms in software (e.g., C++, Python, MATLAB) and/or hardware (e.g., FPGAs, DSPs)
• Analyze radar data to evaluate system performance and identify areas for improvement
• Develop and maintain system simulations and models to support algorithm development and performance evaluation
• Working with radar exports, implement algorithms to relieve network data transfer requirements as means of reducing demands on the network
• Contribute to the development of system requirements and specifications
• Modeling and Simulation of radar systems and sub-systems as well as the signal processing chain
• Plan and lead field tests and data collection activities
• Document and present technical findings and progress to leadership
• Mentor and guide junior engineers
• Work full-time onsite at our office in El Segundo, CA or San Diego, CA
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) or another related field or equivalent work experience
• +10 years of experience of directional communications systems
• Strong familiarity with programming languages like Python or MATLAB
• Systems Engineering experience with RF (Radio Frequency) systems
• Expertise in digital signal processing (e.g., modulation, filtering, and detection)
• Expertise in algorithm development
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Experience leading a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team

Preferred Requirements

• Graduate degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) or another related field or equivalent work experience
• Strong foundation in both sides of the Systems Engineering V
• Experience with C++ and/or other computer languages
• Deep understanding of radar systems and modes
• Strong understanding of radar principles, signal processing techniques, and algorithms
• Expertise with radar waveform design, matched filtering, doppler processing, and clutter rejection techniques

Why CHAOS?

• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
• Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
• Our Perks: Free daily lunch, ‘No meeting Fridays’, unlimited PTO, casual dress code
• Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
• Team Growth: 200 employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $110,000 - $240,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.

#LI-onsite

Please note this position does not necessarily require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Are you any of the following “protected individual(s)” as defined in the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)?

As set forth in CHAOS Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

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For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.