UAS Data Links Communications Test Engineer

Leidos Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Uncrewed Systems Integration and Test is seeking a UAS Data Links Communications Test Engineer to join the S3IJSIL Technology and Certification Center. You will help integrate, test, and evaluate advanced tactical data links and communications systems for UAS and other platforms supporting DoD missions.

The role requires hands-on RF data-link experience, systems integration, and test & evaluation skills, with opportunities to collaborate across multiple teams and contribute to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Electrical/Computer/Systems Engineering or related STEM with 4–8 years (or Masters with 2–6 years); waivers for 9+ years.
• Working knowledge of tactical data links (DDL/ADDL/CDL) and SATCOM.
• Strong RF communications, data-link architectures, and network protocol knowledge.
• Experience in integration, testing, troubleshooting or performance analysis.
• Familiarity with systems engineering (requirements, interface, verification).
• Ability to support technical meetings and document actionable outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. citizenship and active Secret or Final Secret clearance.
• Must reside in or relocate to Huntsville, AL.

Responsibilities

• Support testing and evaluation of UAS data links and communications technologies focusing on performance and interoperability.
• Assist in communications system integration, data collection, analysis, and documenting test results.
• Collaborate with teams to define and verify system performance and interoperability metrics.
• Support systems engineering activities including requirements analysis, interface definition, verification, and documentation.
• Evaluate emerging UAS data links and provide technical assessments for future capabilities.
• Participate in technical meetings and document decisions and outcomes.

Skills

RF communications

Data links

System Integration

Test and evaluation

Communication skills

Security clearance

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Systems Engineering or related STEM

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Wireshark

Spirent TestCenter

iPerf

Spectrum analyzers

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos' Defense Uncrewed Systems Integration and Test is seeking a motivated and ambitious UAS Data Links Communications Test Engineer to join the Software, Simulation, Systems Engineering and Integration Directorate (S3I) Joint Technology Center, Systems Integration Lab (JSIL) Technology and Certification Center. In this role, you'll support the integration, testing, and evaluation of advanced tactical data links and communications systems for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and other airborne and ground platforms supporting U.S. Army and DoD missions.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with experience in RF communications, data links, system integration, and test and evaluation. You'll work with subject matter experts, systems engineers, and test teams to evaluate communications system functionality and interoperability, troubleshoot integration issues, analyze system performance, and provide technical assessments and recommendations. Systems engineering experience is also desired to support requirements analysis, interface definition, verification, and technical documentation.

Leidos Defense Sensor provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with "can't fail" missions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support testing and evaluation of UAS data links and communications technologies with a focus on system performance, interoperability, and operation in contested communications environments.

• Support communications system integration, troubleshooting, data collection, analysis, and documentation of test results.

• Collaborate with test and evaluation teams to define and verify system performance and interoperability metrics.

• Support systems engineering activities, including requirements analysis, interface definition, verification, and technical documentation.

• Evaluate emerging UAS data links and communications technologies and provide technical assessments and recommendations for future capabilities and compliance.

• Participate in technical meetings and working groups and document technical decisions, recommendations, and actionable outcomes.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related STEM field from an accredited institution and 4 - 8 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 2 - 6 years of prior relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, personnel with an additional 9 plus years of relevant experience will be considered.

• Working knowledge of tactical data links or military communications technologies, including Digital Data Link (DDL), Advanced DDL (ADDL), DDL-Lite, Common Data Link (CDL), SATCOM, or other applicable military communications systems.

• Strong understanding of RF communications, data link architectures, and network protocols.

• Experience supporting communications system integration, testing, troubleshooting, or performance analysis.

• Familiarity with systems engineering principles, including requirements analysis, interface definition, integration, and verification.

• Ability to support technical meetings and working groups and document actionable outcomes.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• U.S. citizenship, possess an active Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a Final Secret Clearance.

• Must reside in the Huntsville, AL area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville, AL area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAS platforms, tactical communications systems, or DoD interoperability testing and assessments.

• Hands-on experience integrating or testing CDL, tactical data links, SATCOM, or other military communications systems.

• Familiarity with Command and Control (C2) interfaces or protocols such as STANAG 4586, RAS-A/MAVLink, or similar UAS interoperability standards.

• Hands-on experience performing systems engineering activities, including requirements analysis, interface definition, integration, or verification.

• Knowledge of Ethernet, TCP/UDP/IP, VLANs, QoS, and other networking concepts applicable to communications systems.

• Experience with RF or network test and analysis tools such as spectrum analyzers, Wireshark, Spirent TestCenter, iPerf, or similar tools.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range: $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

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. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.