Data Links Test Engineer - Mid-Level

Data Links Test Engineer – Mid-Level

LOCATION: Eglin AFB, FL

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: Secret

CERTIFICATION: N/A

TRAVEL: 25%

Our Tactical Data Links (TDL) Test Flight (TGBC) is searching for an experienced data link professional and/or test engineer to join the United States Air Force’s premier TDL Developmental Test (DT) Team.  If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and being on the cutting edge of innovative communications technology, this is the place for you. We provide several opportunities to learn and grow, ranging from on-the-job training with other team members to formal courses for unique technology areas.

We realize that no one will possess all the qualifications listed below. We are looking for people that have a strong engineering background and/or TDL foundation and have the drive and motivation to learn all other required/preferred areas.  Position responsibilities can span from serving as a test lead responsible for planning, developing, and executing all aspects of a test event to assisting another test lead as a team member.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Bachelor's Degree in a technical discipline with 3-10 years of relevant experience. Additional experience may be substituted for education.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and possess or be eligible to obtain a Secret clearance. Interim Secret clearance required prior to starting employment.
• Relevant engineering (electrical, mechanical, aerospace or systems) and/or technical experience in areas related to TDL, data link radios, radio frequency waves and propagation, and computer networking
• Ability to participate on a test team to meet exercise, demonstration, or test requirements.
• Ability to execute test scripts, run test procedures, develop block diagrams, and collect data for post-test analysis and reporting.
• Strong work ethic; Comfortable working in a team environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate and present technical details both written and verbally.
• Experience developing and authoring documents such as briefings, plans, reports, executive summaries, white papers, and staff actions.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Suite of Office applications.
• Able to travel to contractors' facilities, test sites, and other locations, CONUS and OCONUS, up to 25% of the time.
• Able to lift 50 lbs. unassisted.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Relevant operational experience planning, operating, and troubleshooting TDL networks including but not limited to: Link 16, Joint Range Extension Application Protocols (JREAP) A, B and C, Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), Variable Message Format (VMF), Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT), Link 11, Link 11B, Link 22, Satellite TDL J, Socket J, and Standard Interface for Multiple Platform Link Evaluation (SIMPLE) J.
• Relevant operational experience performing Command and Control (C2) battle management roles/functions in USAF military ground or airborne C2 platforms such as Air Operation Centers (AOC), Control and Reporting Center (CRC), Air Support Operations Center (ASOC), Air Defense Sector (ADS), Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), and Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) or sister service equivalent.
• Understanding of tactical data link systems and their employment across theater-level operations to include, but not limited to: Joint Range Extension (JRE), Joint Air Defense Systems Integrator (JADSI), Tactical Radio Application eXtension (TRAX), Gateway Manager, Link Monitoring and Management Tool (LMMT), Scalable Portable Integrated Data Router (SPIDR), Tactical Air Control Party Close Air Support System (TACP-CASS), Move Out/Jump Off (MOJO) Kit, Battlefield Operations Support System (BOSS), and Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK).
• Familiar with TDL military standards (MIL-STD) such as MIL-STD 6016, MIL-STD 3011, MIL-STD 6020, MIL-STD 6017, MIL-STD 188-220, MIL-STD 2045-47001, MIL-STD 6090 and MIL-STD 6011.
• Proficient/familiar with common TDL radios to include: Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), MIDS Low Volume Terminal (LVT), SADL Radio, KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal (STT), PRC-161, PRC-117F/G, PRC-152, PRC-163, and PRC-160.
• Familiar with DoD and Air Force test instructions DODI5000.89_DAFI99-103 Capabilities Based Test and Evaluation and Technical Order 00-35D-54 USAF Deficiency Reporting, Investigation, and Resolution.
• Possess a current and active Top Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor of Science in a technical field.
• Graduate of JT-301, Joint Interface Control Officer Course (JICO) or JT-310, Advanced JICC Operators Course (AJOC).

 RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the primary face to the customer and TGBC focal point for all test planning, execution, and reporting activities for which TGBC is chartered to support.

• Design, coordinate, document, and brief test equipment architectures required to meet information exchange requirements (voice and data communications) specific to assigned program operations.
• Advise the government in decision making relevant to lead command responsibilities and to assigned capabilities and/or programs.
• Assist program offices in developing technical requirements associated with supported capabilities and/or programs and translating user operational requirements statements into the appropriate requirements format(s).
• Author, review and edit program documentation, including test plans, concept of operations, test cards, data-analysis plans, and formal reports.
• Coordinate test resources with Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) program managers for use of and support to program testing activities.
• Maintain a comprehensive schedule of program activities, including TGBC support requirements and personnel utilization.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive library and/or continuity database used to capture all lessons learned, planning, execution, and reporting documentation relative to TGBC program involvement.
• Develop and present briefings to test community, program office and senior-level personnel on program activities.
• Utilize software tools to conduct in-depth data reduction and analysis which will be used to inform leadership of program activities pursuant to established objectives and technical performance criteria.
• Travel to various sites to participate in planning, execution, data analysis, report generation, etc., of program-related activities.
• Attends meetings as necessary to provide briefings, information, and recommendations.
• Support any additional test activities as assigned by TGBC leadership