Tactical Communications Systems Engineer

PMAT Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

PMAT is seeking an experienced Tactical Communications Systems Engineer to support installation, integration, operation, and sustainment of RF/satcom systems for Navy and Joint environments. You will diagnose issues, perform preventive maintenance, and ensure operational readiness across shipboard, shore, and deployed settings.

You will work with operators, engineers, logisticians, and program stakeholders to resolve technical issues, maintain documentation, and support fielding activities while

Qualifications

• Experience supporting installation, operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, or fielding military communications.
• Hands-on RF equipment experience across SHF, EHF, HF, VHF, Ku-band, or similar bands.
• Strong RF principles, signal propagation, and spectrum management knowledge.
• Experience with SATCOM, data links, and secure communications systems.
• RF diagnostics, fault isolation, testing, and preventative maintenance.
• Ability to inspect and repair antennas, transmission lines, waveguides, and RF components.
• Proficiency with RF test gear to evaluate performance and identify deficiencies.
• Ability to follow technical orders, maintenance cards, and engineering specs.
• Experience documenting maintenance, repairs, and system status.
• Strong analytical and written/verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, operate, troubleshoot, and sustain tactical communications equipment.
• Field, test, and integrate satellite communications and data links across environments.
• Perform diagnostics, fault isolation, and root-cause analysis on RF systems.
• Conduct preventive and corrective maintenance of antennas, lines, and waveguides.
• Support IBS/GBS/Link 11/16/22 and other tactical comms systems fielding.
• Operate RF test equipment to evaluate signal quality and system integrity.
• Follow technical orders and maintenance procedures to ensure safety and compliance.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, maintenance records, and repair histories.
• Coordinate with operators, engineers, logisticians, and program leadership on issues.
• Prepare readiness reports and communicate risks and corrective actions.

Skills

RF systems

SATCOM

Tactical data links

Diagnostics

Maintenance procedures

Documentation

Team coordination

Security/COMSEC awareness

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience

Tools

RF test equipment

Spectrum analyzers

Vector network analyzers

Maintenance manuals

Job description

At PMAT, we work on mission critical systems that directly support the warfighter, designing, building, and securing modern digital capabilities across cloud, data, and software environments. Our teams tackle complex, real-world challenges where delivery matters more than theory, and innovation is driven by curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.

In this role, you'll contribute to Naval Operational Architecture (NOA), working alongside engineers and operators to deliver resilient, forward-leaning solutions in support of national defense.

About the role: PMAT is seeking an experienced Tactical Communications Systems Engineer to support the installation, integration, operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and sustainment of tactical communications and radio frequency (RF) systems supporting Navy and Joint operational environments. This role will focus on the fielding and operational readiness of satellite communications, tactical data links, broadcast systems, and other mission-critical communications capabilities across shipboard, shore-based, and deployed environments. The candidate will work closely with operators, systems engineers, communications specialists, logisticians, and program stakeholders to diagnose equipment issues, perform preventive and corrective maintenance, and ensure communications systems operate reliably in support of mission requirements. The role requires strong hands-on technical expertise, independent problem-solving capabilities, and familiarity with Navy communications systems, maintenance procedures, and operational requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Install, configure, integrate, operate, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair tactical communications equipment and supporting infrastructure across SHF, EHF, HF, VHF, Ku-band, and other applicable RF communications systems.
• Support the fielding, testing, integration, and sustainment of satellite communications, tactical data links, broadcast systems, and secure communications capabilities across Navy operational environments.
• Perform RF system diagnostics, signal analysis, equipment testing, fault isolation, and root-cause analysis to identify and resolve communications system performance and connectivity issues.
• Conduct preventive and corrective maintenance on communications equipment, antennas, transmission lines, waveguides, RF components, and associated hardware to maintain system reliability and operational readiness.
• Support the installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS), Global Broadcast Service (GBS), Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, and other tactical communications and data link systems.
• Operate and maintain RF diagnostic and test equipment to evaluate signal quality, transmission performance, equipment functionality, and communications system integrity.
• Follow applicable technical orders, maintenance requirement cards, equipment specifications, installation procedures, and established maintenance practices to ensure safe and compliant system operations.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, maintenance records, equipment configurations, troubleshooting procedures, repair histories, and system status reports supporting fielding and sustainment activities.
• Coordinate with operators, engineers, logisticians, cybersecurity personnel, and program leadership to resolve technical issues, identify equipment deficiencies, manage maintenance requirements, and support operational capability delivery.
• Support communications system testing, operational assessments, equipment upgrades, technical refreshes, and fielding activities while communicating system performance, maintenance status, technical risks, and recommended corrective actions.

About Us:

PMAT is an innovative small business founded with a passion for developing forward-leaning solutions from exceptional people that increase the mission's capability. We focus on designing and building impactful digital solutions that utilize modern cloud, data, and software concepts. Our passion is working on complex and progressive challenges such as edge platform computing, containerizing legacy platforms, distributed data platforms, or heterogeneous data analysis.

We recruit, retain, and foster a team motivated to pursue passions, investigate new ways of doing things, and embody an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. We believe in being curious about every element of a problem and experiment relentlessly. We foster continuous learning in an environment that encourages positive collaboration and expands our capabilities. We tap into collective intelligence, acknowledging that the most brilliant people may not be in the room. Above all else, we believe that delivering and demonstrating is more potent than a sheet of paper. We are passionate about mission-centric design and delivering effective capabilities to and for the warfighter.

Whether you're an experienced engineer or just beginning your career, you'll work alongside experts who are committed to solving mission-critical problems.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Strong experience supporting the installation, operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, or fielding of military communications, RF systems, tactical data links, or related communications infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience working with RF communications equipment across SHF, EHF, HF, VHF, Ku-band, or comparable frequency bands and communications technologies.
• Strong understanding of RF principles, signal propagation, transmission characteristics, antenna systems, frequency management, and spectrum-awareness practices.
• Experience supporting satellite communications, tactical broadcast systems, data links, or other mission-critical communications capabilities.
• Experience performing RF diagnostics, fault isolation, root-cause analysis, equipment testing, and preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Experience inspecting, maintaining, troubleshooting, or repairing antennas, transmission lines, waveguides, RF components, and associated communications hardware.
• Proficiency using RF test equipment and diagnostic tools to evaluate communications system functionality, signal performance, and equipment deficiencies.
• Ability to interpret and follow technical orders, maintenance requirement cards, equipment manuals, engineering specifications, and established maintenance procedures.
• Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, maintenance records, equipment status reports, troubleshooting procedures, and repair documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently diagnose technical issues, perform maintenance activities, and implement corrective actions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively with operators, engineers, maintenance personnel, logisticians, and program leadership.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience supporting Navy, Department of War, Joint, or other government tactical communications and operational environments.
• Hands-on experience with Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS), Global Broadcast Service (GBS), Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, or other Navy and Joint tactical communications and data link systems.
• Experience supporting military satellite communications (SATCOM), line-of-sight (LOS), beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS), and secure communications systems.
• Experience installing, maintaining, or troubleshooting shipboard, shore-based, expeditionary, or deployable communications systems in operational or austere environments.
• Experience using spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, RF power meters, multimeters, and other specialized communications diagnostic equipment.
• Experience with antenna alignment, RF cable and connector maintenance, transmission-line testing, waveguide inspection, and communications equipment calibration.
• Familiarity with communications security (COMSEC), encryption equipment, secure communications procedures, and applicable cybersecurity requirements.
• Experience supporting Navy maintenance and installation processes, including planned maintenance systems, maintenance requirement cards, technical orders, and equipment configuration management.
• Experience supporting communications system integration, interoperability testing, operational readiness assessments, installation verification, and technical refresh activities.
• Familiarity with Navy Command and Control (C2), tactical networking, information warfare, or Joint communications architectures and their operational applications.
• Experience supporting Fleet personnel, operational units, engineering teams, and program offices during communications system fielding, troubleshooting, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

Education and Certification Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience

Citizenship and Clearance Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• No dual citizenship

• SECRET security clearance required

Location/Address:

• 100% On-site
• San Diego, CA

Travel & Passport:

25%, CONUS and OCONUS

Work Environment:

PMAT offices as needed. In some cases, work in a government facility may be required. Travel may be required for customer engagement, team coordination, and potentially for business development.

PMAT is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.