Principal Communication/Navigation Engineer

Odyssey; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Odyssey is seeking a Principal Communication/Navigation Engineer to support the Fixed Wing Modification Branch AFLCMC/WIU at Wright Patterson AFB. The role focuses on modification and sustainment of CNS/ATM, avionics, and navigation systems across SOF/PR and ISR platforms.

You will lead system requirements, verification, and certification efforts, coordinate with government and industry partners, and drive safety and airworthiness activities in a complex DoD program environment.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: Must be a US citizen.
• Clearance: Secret.
• Master’s or Doctorate Degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program with 20 years of experience (12 in DoD).
• OR bachelor’s degree with 25 years of experience, 15 in DoD.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for aircraft communication, navigation, and avionics systems throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
• Support CNS/ATM system requirements development, integration, testing, certification, deployment, and sustainment.
• Serve as a CNI SME for navigation system development and modernization efforts.
• Support FAA and NAS compliance, certification, and OSS&E activities.
• Manage and support navigation databases, mission planning systems, and avionics technologies.
• Coordinate with government agencies, suppliers, and stakeholders for system integration and certification.
• Develop technical documentation for systems engineering, airworthiness, OSS&E, and safety certification.
• Apply MIL-HDBK-516, MIL-STD-882, and DAFI 63-1201 requirements.

Skills

Aircraft communications

Navigation systems

CNS/ATM systems

Requirements development

Airworthiness determinations

OSS&E assessments

System integration

Lifecycle program support

Technical evaluation

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree (MS/PhD)

ABET-accredited engineering degree (BS)

Tools

DOORS

Architecture tools

Job description

Position Summary

Odyssey has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Communication/Navigation Engineer, supporting the Fixed Wing Modification Branch AFLCMC/WIU at Wright Patterson Airforce Base. This program focuses on modification and sustainment support for SOF/PR and ISR fixed wing and rotary‑wing aircraft.

Responsibilities

Duties includ e, but not limited to:

• Provide engineering support for aircraft communication, navigation, and avionics systems throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
• Support CNS/ATM system requirements development, integration, testing, certification, deployment, and sustainment.
• Serve as a CNI subject matter expert for navigation system development and modernization efforts.
• Support FAA and National Airspace System (NAS) compliance, certification, and performance assessment activities.
• Manage and support navigation databases, mission planning systems, and associated avionics technologies.
• Coordinate with government agencies, suppliers, and stakeholders to support system integration and certification.
• Develop technical documentation supporting systems engineering, airworthiness, OSS&E, and safety certification activities.
• Support compliance with MIL-HDBK-516, MIL-STD-882, and DAFI 63-1201 requirements.
• Assist with planning, analyzing, and evaluating efforts used to define total weapon system/subsystem requirements, translate requirements into design criteria, evaluate alternative designs, develop system specifications, and perform trade studies.
• Review overall system design baselines, architectures, interoperability requirements, specifications, ICDs, and integration approaches while identifying risks and recommendations.
• Conduct technical assessments, evaluate proposals, perform trade studies, develop recommendations, and support engineering decision-making throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
• Evaluate technical risk and Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E), establish mitigation plans, and support risk reduction efforts.
• Support airworthiness determinations, Military Flight Releases (MFRs), MACC development, tailored airworthiness criteria, and compliance with MIL-HDBK-516.
• Apply DoD acquisition engineering principles, support source selections, develop acquisition strategies, technical evaluation criteria, PWSs, RFPs, and CDRLs.
• Support requirements management using DOORS and architecture tools, participate in TIMs, design reviews, configuration boards, and prepare technical briefings and recommendations.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications

Citizenship: Must be a US citizen

Clearance: Secret

Education

• Master’s or Doctorate Degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program and at least 20 years of experience in the respective technical / professional discipline being performed, 12 years of which must be in the DoD.
• OR bachelor’s degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program and 25 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 15 years of which must be in the DoD.

Technical Skills

• Engineering support for aircraft communications, navigation, CNS/ATM systems, mission planning systems, and avionics modernization efforts.
• Requirements development, trade studies, system specifications, architecture analysis, integration, verification, and DOORS-based requirements management.
• Airworthiness determinations, Military Flight Releases (MFRs), OSS&E assessments, FAA/NAS compliance, and certification support in accordance with MIL-HDBK-516 and MIL-STD-882.
• Acquisition engineering, technical evaluations, source selection support, risk assessments, mitigation planning, PWS/RFP/CDRL development, and lifecycle program support.

Interpersonal Skills

• Strong collaboration skills with cross‑functional teams, leadership, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Clear and effective communicator, able to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Skilled in building productive relationships across government, industry, and academic organizations.
• Proactive problem‑solver with the ability to facilitate discussions, resolve issues, and drive consensus.

Additional Information

Location: Wright Patterson AFB, OH

Travel: 10%

Remote, Onsite, or Hybrid: Onsite

Company Overview

Odyssey is a world-class technical, engineering, and integration company serving the warfighting ecosystem with airborne integration, ISR, C2, and warfighter readiness capabilities. Odyssey meets the military’s operational needs by integrating layered defense systems from equipment, technology, and services to data, information, and business operations. We streamline defense acquisition and sustainment, engineering the technical battlefield with domain-specific proficiency to ensure lethality. Odyssey is dedicated to excellent contract execution, peak organizational performance, and fostering a workplace built on employee care.

Odyssey is proud to live out our core values of commitment, ambition, and respect in our work and communities through OdysseyCares , a philanthropic group focused on giving back through direct donations, an employer match program, and volunteering events.

Additional Note

Please note: Final compensation for this position will be determined by various factors such as the Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.