Senior Communication Systems Engineer

Chartis Federal; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plans with company match

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Chartis Federal in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Communications Systems Engineer who can obtain a Public Trust clearance to provide SETA support to the Disaster Emergency Communications Division. The role involves evaluating, designing, and documenting fixed, mobile, and tactical communications systems for federal disaster response, with hybrid onsite work two days a week.

You will develop executive-level reports, participate in roadmaps for FEMA and FirstNet capabilities, and guide less

Qualifications

• Must have a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• More than 10 years of relevant communications engineering experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Experience with RF, satellite, LTE, NG911, FirstNet, and related systems.
• Excellent written and spoken communication, and ability to develop executive-level reports.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate projects across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide SETA support to update TES A and develop strategic initiatives for lifecycle management of comms technology.
• Evaluate how existing capabilities meet FSLTT requirements and reference emergency plans.
• Develop baseline analyses, engineering diagrams, and schematics for comms assets.
• Prepare executive-level reports and briefings on technology trends and implications for disaster response.
• Oversee efforts of less senior staff and manage multiple priorities.

Job description

Description

About Chartis Federal

Chartis Federal is a premier systems engineering and integration firm specializing in mission-critical IT and communications solutions for law enforcement, homeland security, and defense. As a trusted prime contractor with over $160 million in task order awards, we operate across 22 states and support essential government missions worldwide.

Our commitment to excellence has fueled our year-over-year growth, earning us recognition twice as a Washington Technology FAST 50 company and securing a place on the Inc. 5000 list for five consecutive years. At Chartis Federal, our mission is clear: keeping heroes safe and connected—on the battlefield, on the border, and in our backyards.

Position Overview

Chartis is seeking a Senior Communications Systems Engineer, able to obtain a Public Trust clearance, to provide Systems Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) support to our customer’s Disaster Emergency Communications Division (DECD). This role works on high-visibility, mission-critical aspects of the program, evaluating, designing, and documenting the fixed, mobile, and tactical communications systems that support federal disaster response. This position will be hybrid (onsite 2 days a week, with potential to be fully onsite).

Responsibilities

• Continuously evaluate technological advancements in Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (FSLTT) communications equipment capabilities and anticipated requirements.
• Provide Systems Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to update the Tactical End-State Architecture (TESA) and develop strategic initiatives for the continued refresh and life-cycle management of communications technology supporting response missions.
• Assess how existing capabilities can meet FSLTT communications requirements, drawing on State Emergency Communications Annexes and Regional Emergency Communications Plans (RECPs).
• Evaluate 5-year anticipated technology trends to update technology roadmaps and communications strategic plans, and recommend improvements to FEMA’s capabilities in support of its disaster response mission.
• Provide expert-level technical, engineering, and CAD/GIS support to conduct baseline analysis, documentation, and engineering diagrams and schematics for fixed, mobile, and tactical communications assets.
• Support communications systems including satellite, radio frequency (RF), LTE, broadband, Next Generation 911 (NG911), and the development of FirstNet systems, and evaluate emerging technologies such as 5G, high-throughput satellite (HTS), and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite.
• Perform RF propagation analysis and modeling, site surveys, and technical evaluation of emerging technologies.
• Evaluate program adherence to federal and agency policies and regulations.
• Develop executive-level reports and briefings on technology trends and their implications for disaster emergency communications.
• Perform all functional duties independently on high-visibility, mission-critical aspects of the program, and oversee the efforts of less senior staff as needed.
• Other specific duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (MA/MS) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a closely related field; more than 10 years of progressively relevant communications engineering experience.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance.
• Demonstrated ability to perform RF propagation analysis and modeling, site surveys, and technical evaluation of emerging technologies.
• Experience with communications systems and architectures, including satellite, RF, land mobile radio (LMR), high frequency (HF), LTE, broadband, NG911, and FirstNet.
• Experience producing engineering diagrams, schematics, and baseline documentation; CAD/GIS experience a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop executive-level reports.
• Ability to interact and network effectively with all levels of staff, including technical and non-technical senior leadership.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to foresee the direct and indirect impacts of solutions.
• Innovative thinker who brings new ideas to the team; flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to meet deadlines, adhere to project plans, bring conflicts to the attention of the management team, and work on several projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel (approximately 15% or less).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, and PowerPoint.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license and prior experience supporting FEMA, DHS, or public safety communications programs preferred.

Why Join Chartis Federal?

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Retirement plans with company contributions
• Professional development opportunities and career growth support
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment where your contributions are valued

At Chartis Federal, we believe in fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and innovation while supporting critical national security missions. Join us in shaping the future of government contracting and national security solutions.

Chartis Federal is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employs qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other classification protected under applicable law. We participate in E-Verify.