Senior Tactical Data Link Test Engineer

Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.; Florida; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Odyssey is seeking a Tactical Data Link (TDL) Test Engineer SE-3 to support the 46 Test Squadron/TGBC at Eglin AFB. You will lead or co-lead test events, design test architectures, and brief senior personnel on program performance. Travel up to 35% CONUS/OCONUS.

The role requires a strong engineering foundation with TDL background and active clearance, with opportunities to impact data exchange capabilities across multiple platforms.

Qualifications

• Experience in engineering areas related to TDLs, radios, RF propagation, and networking.
• Ability to participate on a test team and execute test procedures.
• Ability to communicate and present technical details clearly.
• Experience developing technical documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary customer-facing representative and TGBC focal point for test planning, execution, and reporting.
• Design, coordinate, document, and brief test equipment architectures to meet data exchange requirements.
• Advise government personnel in decision-making related to lead-command responsibilities.
• Translate user operational requirements into correct technical requirements formats.
• Author, review, and edit test plans, CONOPS, data-analysis plans, and reports.
• Coordinate test resources with MRTFB program managers.
• Maintain a schedule of program activities and TGBC support.
• Develop and maintain continuity databases and libraries of lessons learned.
• Deliver briefings to test community and leadership.
• Conduct data reduction and analysis to inform program performance.
• Travel to multiple sites to support planning and reporting.
• Attend meetings to provide technical briefings and recommendations.
• Support additional test activities as assigned.

Skills

Engineering basics

TDL knowledge

Test procedures

Documentation

MS Office

Data analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Test leadership

Physical readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technical field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

MIDS JTRS

JREAP/JT

TRAX/Gateway Manager

MS Office tools

DOE guidance docs

RF test equipment

Job description

Position Summary

Odyssey has an exciting opportunity for a Tactical Data Link (TDL) Test Engineer SE-3 supporting the 46 Test Squadron / TGBC under the TMAS III contract at Eglin AFB, FL.

The TDL Test Flight (TGBC) is the United States Air Force's premier Tactical Data Link Developmental Test team. As a member of the Tactical Integration Element (TIE), the Senior TDL Test Engineer will support planning, designing, and executing test events for tactical integration programs. This role requires a strong engineering foundation and/or TDL background with the drive to learn additional technical areas. Responsibilities may include serving as a test lead for full test-event execution or supporting another test lead as part of a team.

This is a full-time position located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, with CONUS/OCONUS travel up to 35%.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary customer-facing representative and TGBC focal point for assigned test planning, execution, and reporting activities.
• Design, coordinate, document, and brief test equipment architectures required to meet voice and data information exchange requirements for assigned programs.
• Advise government personnel in decision-making related to lead-command responsibilities and supported capabilities/programs.
• Assist program offices with translating user operational requirements into correct technical requirements formats.
• Author, review, and edit program documentation including test plans, CONOPS, test cards, data-analysis plans, and formal reports.
• Coordinate test resources with Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) program managers.
• Maintain a comprehensive schedule of program activities, including TGBC support requirements and personnel utilization.
• Develop and maintain continuity databases and libraries capturing lessons learned, planning documents, execution artifacts, and reporting documentation.
• Deliver briefings to the test community, program offices, and senior personnel on program activities.
• Conduct in-depth data reduction and analysis using software tools to inform leadership of program performance against objectives and technical criteria.
• Travel to multiple sites to support planning, execution, data analysis, and report development.
• Attend meetings to provide technical briefings, updates, and recommendations.
• Support additional test activities as assigned by TGBC leadership.

Qualifications

Citizenship: Must be a US citizen

Clearance: Active Secret clearance; Interim Secret required prior to start; SAP eligible

Education: Bachelor's degree in a technical field and a minimum of 10 years of technical experience (experience may substitute for education).

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Experience in engineering areas related to TDLs, radios, RF propagation, and networking
• Ability to participate on a test team and execute test procedures
• Ability to communicate and present technical details clearly
• Experience developing technical documentation
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master's Degree in a technical field

• Operational experience planning, operating, and troubleshooting TDL networks
• Operational C2 experience in USAF ground or airborne platforms (AOC, CRC, ASOC, ADS, AWACS, JSTARS, or equivalents)
• Familiarity with TDL military standards (MILSTD 6016, 3011, 6020, 6017, 188220, 204547001, 6090, 6011)
• Familiarity with DoD/USAF test guidance (DODI 5000.89, DAFI 99103, TO 0035D54)
• Experience with common tactical radios
• Possess a current active Top Secret clearance
• Graduate of JT301 JICO or JT310 AJOC

Technical Skills

• Relevant engineering experience in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or systems engineering
• Technical experience related to TDLs, data link radios, RF waves/propagation, and computer networking
• Ability to execute test scripts, run test procedures, develop block diagrams, and collect test data for post-event analysis
• Ability to develop, write, and review technical documentation (briefings, plans, reports, executive summaries, white papers, staff actions)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. unassisted
• Preferred operational experience with TDL networks including: Link 16, JREAP A/B/C, SADL, VMF, MADL, TTNT, Link 11/11B/22, SIMPLE J, Satellite TDL J
• Preferred familiarity with DoD/USAF test instructions including DODI 5000.89 / DAFI 99-103 and USAF TO 0035D54
• Preferred experience with common TDL radios (MIDS JTRS, MIDS LVT, SADL Radio, STT KOR24A, PRC161/117F/G/152/163/160)
• Preferred experience with theater-level TDL tools such as JRE, JADSI, TRAX, Gateway Manager, LMMT, SPIDR, TACPCASS, MOJO, BOSS, ATAK

Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to participate effectively on a test team to meet exercise, demonstration, and test requirements
• Strong communication and presentation skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work in a team environment with minimal supervision
• Strong work ethic and motivation to learn new systems under test
• Ability to clearly present technical details to customers and leadership

Additional Information

• Location: Eglin AFB, FL
• Work Environment: Onsite
• Job Status: Full-time
• Travel: Up to 35% CONUS/OCONUS
• #LI-SB1
• #TMAS3
• #CTG

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities