Tactical Data Link Engineer

Freedom Real Estate; Florida; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP participation

401(k) match

Medical, dental, vision

Life insurance

Short-term & long-term disability

Flexible spending accounts

Health Saving Accounts

Health Reimbursement Accounts

EAP

Education assistance

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Torch Technologies seeks a Tactical Data Link Engineer to join our team at Eglin AFB, FL. You will operate real tactical hardware, configure LVC-integrated networks, and support HITL simulations to ensure interoperability of Link-16 and related data links with modern weapon systems and UAS platforms.

The role requires U.S. citizenship, a related advanced degree with extensive DoD experience, and a current Top-Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Master’s or Doctorate in a related field with 8+ years of DoD-relevant experience, or a related bachelor’s with 12+ years.
• Experience with Link-16 and other tactical data link systems.
• Proficiency with Wireshark and networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP).
• Strong RF transceiver design, propagation modeling, and link budget knowledge.
• Experience with oscilloscopes, spectrum/network analyzers, logic analyzers, and signal generators.
• Familiarity with COMSEC handling and SKL.
• MATLAB or similar modeling/simulation tools.
• Must obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor real tactical hardware within HITL simulation environments.
• Integrate hardware with LVC architectures enabling real equipment to interact with virtual platforms.
• Configure, initialize, and monitor LVC-integrated TDL networks during test events.
• Troubleshoot hardware/software interfaces, timing, synchronization.
• Operate and analyze Link-16 and related tactical data link systems.
• Research and modernize TDL HITL emulators for interoperability with modern weapon systems and UAS.
• Build, decode, and evaluate TDL messages and network architectures.
• Support gateway operations, network initialization, and real-time monitoring during events.
• Present findings and recommend improvements to system designs.
• Assess proposals and documentation for technical feasibility and navigation/TSPI requirements.
• Support NAVWAR testing, jamming threat assessments, and degraded-environment navigation evaluations.

Skills

Link-16 knowledge

Wireshark

Networking protocols

RF transceiver design

Oscilloscopes / analyzers

MATLAB

C++ coding

Top-Secret Clearance

GNSS/INS familiarity

Education

Master's or Doctorate in a related field

Bachelor's with 12+ years DoD-related experience

15 years related experience with certifications

Tools

MATLAB

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Logic analyzers

Job description

## Tactical Data Link EngineerApply: Eglin AFB, FL: Full time: Posted Today: R2069**Torch Technologies**Thank you for your interest in employment with Torch Technologies. We are a 100% employee-owned, Certified Great Place To Work and named Best Places to Work in Huntsville/Madison County, headquartered in Huntsville, AL. Our team provides superior research, development, and engineering services to the Federal Government and Department of War. As one of the nation’s top 100 defense companies, the services we provide directly support the men and women who serve our country. Our corporate mission sums up the pride our employee-owners take in the work we do: “Lighting the Pathway of Freedom”. And, as a Certified Evergreen ESOP, we have made the commitment to grow and sustain our company for the next 100 years! Come grow with us!Torch Technologies is seeking a Tactical Data Link Engineer to join their team at Eglin AFB, FL. **Responsibilities:*** Operate and monitor real tactical hardware (data link radios, GPS/INS units, RF front‐ends) within HITL simulation environments.* Integrate hardware with Live‐Virtual‐Constructive (LVC**)** architectures, enabling real equipment to interact with virtual platforms.* Configure, initialize, and monitor LVC‐integrated TDL networks during simulation test events.* Troubleshoot hardware/software interfaces, timing, synchronization.* Operate and analyze Link‐16 and similar or related tactical data link systems.* Research, develop and modernize existing TDL HITL emulators to ensure continued relevance and interoperability with emerging, modernized TDL‐enabled weapon systems and UAS platforms* Build, decode, and evaluate TDL messages and network architectures.* Support gateway operations, network initialization, and real‐time monitoring during events.* Present technical findings and recommend improvements to system designs.* Assess proposals, requirements, and system documentation for technical feasibility and proper allocation of navigation/TSPI requirements.* Support NAVWAR‐related testing, jamming threat assessments, and degraded‐environment navigation evaluations. **Required Qualifications:*** U.S. Citizenship.* Master’s or Doctorate Degree in a related field and 8 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 5 years of which must be in the DoW OR bachelor’s degree in a related field and 12 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 5 of which must be in the DoW OR 15 years of directly related experience with proper certifications as described in the PWS labor category performance requirements, 8 of which must be in the DoW.* Working knowledge of Link‐16 and other tactical data link systems.* Proficiency with Wireshark and networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP).* Strong understanding of RF transceiver design, propagation modeling, and link budgets.* Experience with oscilloscopes, spectrum/network analyzers, logic analyzers, and signal generators.* Familiarity with COMSEC handling and Simple Key Loaders (SKL).* Experience with MATLAB, or similar modeling/simulation tools.* Must obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance. **Desired Additional Experience*** Familiarity with GNSS/INS systems, Alt-Nav, Kalman filtering, and navigation algorithms.* Knowledge of anti-jam techniques, NAVWAR considerations, and jamming threat environments.* Familiarity with C++ coding for algorithm development, simulation integration, or hardware‐interface support **Schedule:** (M-F; 8-5)**Work Location:** Onsite at Eglin AFB, FL**Travel:** 0-10%**Relocation Assistance Available:** No**Position Contingent Upon Award of Contract:** No #LI-AH1 **Benefits:**Torch Technologies is proud to offer a stable and professional work environment, a competitive salary, and an excellent, comprehensive benefit package including: ESOP participation, 401(k) match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, Health Saving Accounts and Health Reimbursement Accounts, EAP, education assistance, paid time off, and holidays.**Applying to Torch Technologies:**Only those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted. Employment at Torch Technologies is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, citizenship, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Torch Technologies, Inc. participates in E-Verify.If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Careers Link as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by sending an email to [e-mail]. Thank you for your interest in Torch Technologies.