Introduction to Fuse:
Fuse builds innovative communications, networking, and computing solutions that improve the sharing of information, video, text, and voice among operators distributed throughout the airborne, maritime, and ground environments. We are a Technology firm creating in-house software, network and hardware solutions that support our noble cause of advancing warfighter capabilities with elegant, user-focused communications, networks, and software systems.
About this role:
Fuse is looking for Field Service Engineers and Field Service Technicians to provide forward-deployed support for an airborne networking pod and associated ground systems. This role focuses on hands-on installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and sustainment of Fuse pods and expeditionary ground gateway kits in operational environments.
You will work with aircrews, JICOs, network operations teams, and Fuse engineers to keep Fuse products mission-effective: bringing the pod to Full Ops, stabilizing Link-16 and JREAP-C, enabling voice (VoSIP/radio-over-IP), and burning down integration issues under real-world conditions.
"Technician" or "Engineer" title and compensation will be determined based on skills and experience. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to work with and learn from various engineering departments and production technicians. There is opportunity to both remain in a Field Service role, as well as learn from teams and pursue career growth in a different role.
What you'll do:
Pod & Aircraft Integration
- Support upload, download, and ground checks of the pod on aircraft in coordination with maintenance and GCS crews.
- Perform pod power on, BIT, and LRU checks across the integrated communications stack, including:
- Tactical router/switch / mission computer (e.g., ruggedized compute node).
- Type 1 IP encryptor (e.g., KG 250X or equivalent HAIPE).
- Airborne IP SATCOM terminal (e.g., Starlink/StarShield or other pLEO/LEO SATCOM).
- Link 16 tactical data link terminal (e.g., KOR 24A STT, MIDS LVT, MIDS JTRS, or similar).
- Radio over IP / voice gateway (e.g., Vocality or similar RoIP/VoSIP device).
- MANET / wideband line of sight radio (e.g., Silvus, Trellisware, or similar).
- Verify aircraft/pylon power behavior (including power cycle impacts) and execute pod recovery sequences to return to Full Ops.
- Assist with umbilical routing, connector inspections, and basic mechanical/electrical checks, escalating structural or avionics issues to the appropriate maintainers.
Mission Setup & Operations
- Bring pod from cold start to mission ready by:
- Configuring the mission management / monitoring tool (e.g., browser based network/TDL status interface similar to ADSI, LMMT, and T3).
- Verifying tactical data link gateway configuration (e.g., TRAX like JREAP/Link 16 gateway software).
- Confirming crypto loads and time synchronization for Link 16 and IP encryptors in coordination with COMSEC.
- Establishing JREAP-C connectivity between the pod and ground sites.
- Monitor pod status during missions (including long duration sorties), track Link 16 and JREAP-C health, and execute recovery TTPs after power events.
- Support voice integration on the pod: assist with RoIP/VoSIP gateway and Link 16 radio voice channel configuration (e.g., 2nd channel V/UHF), perform clear voice and encrypted VoSIP checks, and support handset/radio integration as directed by engineering.
- Capture flightline observations, power cycle timelines, and system behavior in daily notes to feed back into engineering and operations.
Network, Crypto, and Data Link Support
- Work with SIPR providers, DISA, and base comms teams to validate system connectivity, bandwidth, and reachability mission services.
- Assist with configuration and basic troubleshooting of:
- JREAP-C between pod and ground sites.
- Link-16 net entry for the airborne terminal (e.g., KOR-24A STT, MIDS-LVT/JTRS): load file/application of OPTASK LINK parameters, crypto period, time reference, and antenna/RF path checks in accordance with MIL-STD-6016 and platform guidance.
- Status/data replication between the pod and shore/ground instances of the monitoring tool (e.g., WinTAK-like browser-based COP).
- Support local COMSEC personnel with loading and verifying keys for:
- Link-16 terminal (e.g., MIDS/STT TEK/TIK).
- IP encryptors (HAIPE).
- Ancillary radios or SATCOM modems.
- All actions will follow approved key-handling procedures with COMSEC personnel retaining custodial responsibility.
Testing, Troubleshooting & Documentation
- Execute repeatable ground test sequences to reproduce and isolate issues with:
- Power sequencing and aircraft power behavior.
- Network routing, bandwidth, and latency.
- Tactical data links (Link 16 PPLI/tracks, J series forwarding, JREAP-C).
- Voice services (RoIP/VoSIP) and radio audio paths.
- Red/Black (CT/PT) routing paths through encryptors and mission computers.
- Pull logs from pods, radios, routers, encryptors, and laptops and securely transfer them to Fuse engineering teams for analysis.
- Follow structured troubleshooting practices: clearly document the problem, diagnostic steps, interim workarounds, and operational impact; feed this back to engineering and leadership for defect tracking and TTP updates.
- Contribute to updates of user guides, checklists, and TTPs based on forward lessons learned and recurring field issues.
Customer & Team Interaction
- Work directly with operators, JICOs, liaison officers, and maintainers to explain Fuse capabilities, current status, and basic operating procedures in clear, user-focused language.
- Provide informal, on-the-spot training and mission-prep walkthroughs on Fuse, the ground gateway kit, and associated monitoring/GW tools to aircrew and watch floor personnel as needed.
- Represent Fuse professionally in high-visibility operational environments; identify pain points for the warfighter and relay them back to the product and engineering teams.