Tactical Communication Systems Engineer

Kids for the Future; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

Retirement savings options

Paid time off

Job summary

NexTech Solutions in Sterling, VA seeks a Tactical Communication Systems Engineer to design, deploy, and support ad hoc telecom for rapid deployment of tactical security teams, with embedded expertise on radio and data systems used by the Department of State.

The role requires 5+ years’ experience in tactical communications, active Secret clearance (TS eligibility preferred), TAK/ATAK proficiency, and ability to travel up to 50% in high threat environments.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain TS.
• Associates Degree required, Bachelor's preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience supporting tactical communications systems.
• Experience with modern commercial and tactical radio systems.
• Experience installing, maintaining, and removing communications equipment for field ops.
• Experience using tactical software for mission planning (TAK or similar).
• Experience configuring iOS/Android/iTak/ATAK via enterprise MDM, certificate management, remote troubleshooting, app deployment and compliance reporting.
• OPSEC and COMSEC procedures.
• Knowledge of military/emergency procedures and tactical reporting formats.
• Physical ability to carry body armor and gear.
• Excellent writing and verbal skills.

Responsibilities

• Supports U.S. Department of State requirements in overseas theaters.
• Deploy, operate, and maintain secure voice and data networks (SATCOM, LMR, P25, MANET).
• Ensure network security and COMSEC compliance, including loading and zeroization of equipment.
• Provide troubleshooting and real-time support for communications and tactical data systems (ATAK/WINTAK).
• Develop and install local area networks for field operations.
• Train personnel on communication equipment operation, security, handling procedures.
• Integrate communications systems with existing infrastructure and fielded platforms (C4ISR).

Skills

English fluency

Communication skills

Troubleshooting

OPSEC/COMSEC knowledge

Security procedures

Education

Associates Degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

TAK/ATAK

MDM platforms

Certificate management

Job description

• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Travel 50%

Description

The Opportunity

The Tactical Communication Systems Engineer designs, builds, deploys, installs, troubleshoots, and supports ad hoc and hasty telecommunications systems to support rapid deployment of tactical security teams. These systems include multiple types of communications equipment and supporting data systems. This role provides imbedded technical competence on a wide variety of tactical software and radio equipment utilized by the Department of State, and ensures the highest availability of mission-critical communications and networks.

Key Responsibilities (Principal Duties and Accountabilities *Essential Functions)

• Supports U.S. Department of State requirements in multiple overseas theaters in potentially high-threat environments.
• Deploy, operate, and maintain secure voice and data networks, including SATCOM, LMR systems, P25 radio networks, and MANETs
• Ensure communications network security and COMSEC compliance, includingloading, handling, and zeroization of supported equipment
• Provide troubleshooting and real-time operational support for communicationsand tactical data systems and applications, such as ATAK/WINTAK.
• Develop and install hasty or semi complex local area networks to support tactical security team computer systems.
• Train personnel on communication equipment operation, security, and handlingprocedures
• Integrate communications systems with existing infrastructure and fielded platforms, including C4ISR systems

Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Must have active Secret with the ability to obtain a TS Security clearance

Education

• Associates Degree required, Bachelors preferred.

Required Skills, Experience & Abilities

• Minimum five (5) years’ experience supporting communication systems for tactical teams that deploy (i.e. Military, Law Enforcement, Federal Government deployment teams).
• Minimum five (5) years of technical experience in technical support for modern commercial and tactical radio systems
• Experience in installing, maintaining, and removing communications equipment supporting field operations and/or operation centers
• Experience utilizing tactical software or applications for mission planning, such as TAK or similar
• Experience configuring, monitoring, and supporting iOS/Android/iTak/ATAK,WinTak devices through enterprise MDM platforms, implementing security policies, certificate management, remote troubleshooting, application deployment, and compliance reporting.
• Experience with OPSEC and COMSEC procedures
• Knowledge of military/emergency procedures, as well as tactical reporting formats
• Physical ability to carry and work using body armor and tactical communication gear
• Excellent writing and verbal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Comfort with ambiguity and learning on the job
• Experience with developing and deploying ad hoc communications systems
• Experience with designing local area networks for specific use case
• Experience with generating full communications mission plans for radio platforms
• Knowledge of communication protocols
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Professionalism and positive attitude in workplace interactions
• Initiative and ability to take ownership of tasks/projects
• Strong work ethic and reliability
• Ability to work well independently or as part of a team
• Willingness to learn new tools or procedures
• Positive attitude toward safety and following protocol

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical ability to work in austere conditions while wearing body armor and carrying up to 50lbs of tactical communication gear or tools.
• Ability to obtain a Department of State Medical Clearance to work in countries considered high threat by the Department of State.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Clear vision and hearing required for meetings, presentations, and communication.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50% of the time, which may include extended periods of standing, walking, or navigating airports and government facilities.
• Work Locations include NTS Gainesville, IMDC - Manassas, Sterling, Virginia and multiple DoS facilities within Washington Metro Area. There will be the possibility of international travel to support the mission.
• Position may require deployment up to 50% of the calendar year in high-threat or high-risk environments across multiple locations.
• During overseas deployments, the employee may be required to rotate between theaters and to multiple locations within each theater.
• Domestic assignments, including several months in the Washington, D.C. metro area for training and program support, may be required prior to overseas deployment.
• Must be willing to serve in positions worldwide, including both domestic and overseas assignments.

Summary

Travel will include extended visits to US Embassies overseas and in support of Diplomatic Missions. The locations visited may be in areas that are deemed "High Threat" by the Department of State.

Compensation:

The base salary range for this position is $120,000-$135,000.

Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including relevant experience, qualifications, skills, location, and internal equity.

Benefits:

NexTech Solutions offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families, including competitive health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings options, paid time off, and additional employee benefits.

This position is Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime premiums. When authorized, extended work week (EWW) hours may be compensated at straight- time equivalent hourly rate based on the annual salary. Any such additional compensation does not change the exempt status.

Danger and Hardship uplift will be paid for the first 60 hours of each type of uplift in each work week. The rate of uplift and qualification for the uplift follow State Department guidance for each Danger and Hardship location.

Equal Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. NTS will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws for employment.