Senior Datalinks Engineer

JHNA; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Aether Aerospace in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Senior Datalinks Engineer to support the PM UAS Technical Management Division and serve as the primary division-level technical expert for UAS datalinks. The role requires active clearance and close collaboration with government and industry partners to ensure mission success.

The candidate will lead datalink strategy, provide technical oversight across development, integration, and sustainment, and communicate technical and programmatic

Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• CompTIA Security+ CE certification required or within 6 months.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or related field.
• 8+ years of directly relevant professional experience.
• Experience with RF, datalink, or related mission-system technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate a UAS datalink strategy aligned with PM UAS objectives.
• Advise Chief Engineer and PM UAS leadership on datalink technical paths.
• Provide oversight for datalink development, integration, and fielding.
• Evaluate RF equipment, antennas, modems, waveforms, and related tech.
• Assess threat environments and datalink resilience and spectrum considerations.
• Lead technical working groups and coordinate with labs, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Prepare technical reports, briefings, and acquisition documentation.

Skills

RF systems

Datalinks

Systems engineering

Technical communication

Office suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Start Date: Immediate JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domain expertise across Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

Start Date: Immediate JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domain expertise across Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

Overview

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location: Huntsville, AL- On-Site- (Redstone Arsenal)

Aether Aerospace is seeking a highly capable Senior Datalinks Engineer to support the PM UAS Technical Management Division (TMD) and serve as the primary Division-level technical expert for UAS datalinks. This individual will work in direct support of the Chief Engineer, the PM UAS Product Offices, the Component Technology Branch, and special projects aligned with the PM UAS mission.

Salary: $120,000-$150,000.00

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.

Roles/Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate a comprehensive UAS datalink strategy consistent with PM UAS objectives, missions, architectures, and future capabilities.
• Serve as the principal datalink technical advisor to the Chief Engineer, TMD leadership, Product Offices, and other PM UAS stakeholders.
• Provide technical oversight for datalink system development, integration, qualification, production, fielding, modernization, and sustainment.
• Evaluate systems, subsystems, and components involving RF equipment, antennas, modems, radomes, communications protocols, interfaces, software, waveforms, and associated technologies.
• Assess relevant threat environments and evaluate potential impacts to UAS RF and communications systems.
• Evaluate datalink resiliency, interoperability, spectrum, encryption, COMSEC, TRANSEC, EMI/EMV, and EW considerations.
• Support technical assessments of current and emerging datalink capabilities, technologies, standards, and architectures.
• Maintain awareness of relevant government, military service, laboratory, industry, and coalition datalink initiatives.
• Lead and participate in technical working groups, interface control working groups, engineering reviews, and acquisition forums.
• Coordinate with government laboratories, development organizations, contractors, other Product Offices, and external stakeholders.
• Make recommendations concerning technical direction, architectures, standards, policies, and investments to improve UAS mission effectiveness and survivability.
• Represent PM UAS in external forums and effectively communicate both technical and programmatic considerations.
• Coordinate with peer organizations for government-furnished equipment, government-furnished information, development, production, integration, and sustainment activities.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute changes required to address critical system upgrades, modernization efforts, obsolescence issues, and field problems.
• Develop, author, and review Performance Work Statements, Statements of Work, technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and other acquisition documentation associated with datalink development and modification efforts.
• Evaluate competing technical approaches and provide recommendations regarding the most appropriate solution based on performance, integration risk, schedule, cost, sustainment, and mission requirements.
• Communicate directly and effectively with government personnel, contractors, engineers, logisticians, program managers, acquisition professionals, business personnel, and senior leadership.
• Work through conflicting technical opinions and organizational priorities to develop executable technical paths forward.
• Perform additional technical and systems engineering activities as assigned by the Team Lead, Branch Chief, Division Lead, or Chief Engineer.

Key Qualifications

Clearance: Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain a TS/SCI Clearance

Certifications: Candidate must possess a CompTIA Security+ CE, or be willing to obtain one within the first 6 months of employment

Education & Years of Experience: Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or another relevant technical discipline. Minimum 8+ years of directly relevant professional experience

• Demonstrated experience supporting complex technical systems, engineering programs, or acquisition programs.
• Strong understanding of RF, communications, datalink, or related mission-system technologies.
• Ability to independently investigate complex technical issues and develop technically sound recommendations.
• Ability to develop and present technical reports, briefings, assessments, and recommendations to management and senior leadership.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both deeply technical personnel and non-technical/programmatic stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to work primarily on-site with limited telework eligibility.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Desired Qualifications

• Previous Product Management Office, Program Management Office, or equivalent acquisition organization experience.
• Army Aviation, UAS, aviation systems, or related DoD acquisition experience.
• Industry experience supporting RF, communications, networking, datalinks, EW, or UAS systems.
• Significant experience with UAS datalink systems, RF systems, tactical communications systems, or related mission systems.
• Experience with RF system architecture, link budgets, RF modeling, antennas, modems, waveforms, or spectrum management.
• Understanding of AES-256 and Type 1 encryption concepts and their application to tactical communications.
• Working knowledge of COMSEC and TRANSEC principles and implementation considerations.
• Experience interpreting, applying, developing, or maintaining communications and datalink standards.
• Experience with frequency management and spectrum-related coordination.
• Experience supporting EMI/EMV qualification, EW resiliency, electronic protection, or communications-system hardening.
• Experience coordinating with government laboratories, C5ISR organizations, other government agencies, military services, coalition partners, NATO organizations, and industry.

Aether Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.

Salary: $120000.00 - $150000.00 per year