Lead Communications Systems Engineer - Tactical Data Links

CHAOS Industries; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k company match

Free daily lunch

No meeting Fridays

Unlimited PTO

Relocation assistance

Job summary

CHAOS Industries, founded in 2022 and based in Los Angeles with offices across the U.S., seeks a senior member to lead the design and development of cutting-edge communications and data link systems used within its Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN). You will drive RF‑friendly architectures, mentor engineers, and contribute to system simulations and field tests.

The role requires 10+ years in directional communications, strong DSP and RF expertise, and hands-on programming in Python/MATLAB/C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM or related field or equivalent experience.
• +10 years of directional communications systems experience.
• Strong familiarity with Python or MATLAB.
• RF systems engineering experience.
• DSP, modulation, filtering, detection expertise.
• Algorithm development expertise.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Experience leading a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work independently and with teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced directive data links to connect CDN nodes.
• Implement approaches to reduce RF signature of data links.
• Lead time-transfer algorithms integration with the network.
• Lead development of new communications capabilities with minimal guidance.
• Procure or develop cost-effective hardware for data links in tactical environments.
• Explore position estimation without GPS.
• Develop and optimize beamforming algorithms for real-time use.
• Implement software (C++, Python, MATLAB) and/or hardware (FPGAs, DSPs).
• Analyze radar data to evaluate system performance and identify improvements.
• Model and simulate radar systems and signal chains for development.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C++

RF systems

DSP

Algorithms

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Graduate degree in STEM

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

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

Minimum Requirements:

• 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
• Expertise in data analysisExcellent 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.

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