Principal Communication/Navigation Engineer ISR/SOF WIU.009

Credence; Ohio; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&

Job summary

Credence is seeking a Principal Communication/Navigation Engineer to support the AFLCMC/WIU Fixed Wing Modification Branch at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. The role focuses on modification and sustainment for SOF/PR and ISR aircraft, spanning requirements development through certification and deployment.

You will lead CNS/ATM, navigation, and avionics modernization efforts, engage with government and suppliers, and ensure compliance with MIL-HDBK-516, MIL-STD-882, and related standards while

Qualifications

• Requires active Secret clearance or higher (DISS verified).
• ABET-accredited Master’s/Doctorate in engineering with 20+ years of experience (DoW/DoD).
• Alternative: ABET-accredited Bachelor’s with 25+ years of experience (DoW/DoD).
• 30 years direct related experience with DoD DoW DoD certifications may be considered.

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 subject matter expert for navigation system development and modernization efforts.
• Assist with planning, analyzing, and evaluating requirements to define total weapon system capabilities and trade studies.
• Review system design baselines, architectures, interoperability, and certification approaches.

Skills

Active security clearance

Education

Master’s or Doctorate in ABET-accredited engineering

Bachelor’s degree in ABET-accredited engineering

Job description

Overview

Join a team where innovation meets mission. Our AI, cloud, cyber, and modernization solutions save agencies thousands of hours, safeguard national security, and strengthen health and humanitarian missions worldwide. With more than 1,700+ team members, 1,500+ AI & data experts, and 100+ prime contracts, we deliver on a scale and with purpose.

We’ve been recognized as a Top Workplace by The Washington Post for six consecutive years and named to the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in 13 of the past 14 years. Credence is a welcoming environment for those looking to grow and make a meaningful impact. We encourage employees to push boundaries and help solve critical, world-changing federal challenges.

Position Summary

Credence has an immediate need for a Principal Communication/Navigation Engineer, supporting the Fixed Wing Modification Branch AFLCMC/WIU at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. This program focuses on modification and sustainment support for SOF/PR and ISR fixed wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the duties listed below:

• 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.
• 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.

• Must have an active or current Secret security clearance (or higher), verifiable in the Defense Information System for Security (DISS).
• Master’s or Doctorate Degree in a related field from an ABET accredited engineering program and at least twenty (20) years of experience in the respective technical / professional discipline being performed, twelve (12) years of which must be in the DoW/DoD.
• OR bachelor’s degree in a related field from an ABET accredited engineering program and twenty‑five (25) years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, fifteen (15) years of which must be in the DoW/DoD.
• OR, thirty (30) years of directly related experience with proper certifications as described in the PWS labor category performance requirements, twenty (20) years of which must be in the DoW/DoD.

Why This Role Matters

Real-World Impact— Your work will support defense and health agencies where AI solutions directly contribute to national security and public well-being.

Growth-Oriented Environment— Learn from technical leaders, innovate within Agentic AI, and mentor those around you in AI best practices.

Culture of Empowerment— You’ll be part of a team that values innovation, trust, collaboration, and mission success.

Please join us, as together we build a better world one mission at a time powered by Technology and its People!

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development