Datalinks Engineer

Overview

i3 is seeking a Datalinks Engineer to support the PM UAS Technical Management Division (TMD) in support of the Chief Engineer, UAS Product Offices, and potential special projects aligned with the PM UAS mission. This is a full-time, on-site position with limited telework eligibility.

The Datalinks Engineer will provide technical oversight and subject matter expertise for UAS datalink system development, integration, qualification, and sustainment. The position supports systems involving modems, radio frequency equipment, antennas, radomes, interfaces, communication protocols, software, waveforms, and EMI/EMV/EW-hardening design techniques. Additional expertise in encryption, RF modeling, communication and datalink standards, COMSEC, and TRANSEC is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate a UAS datalink strategy consistent with office objectives, missions, and capabilities.
• Provide datalink subject matter expertise to the Chief Engineer, UAS Product Offices, PM UAS leadership, and special projects as required.
• Provide technical oversight and expertise for datalink system development, integration, qualification, and sustainment.
• Support systems, subsystems, and components involving modems, radio frequency equipment, antennas, radomes, interfaces, communication protocols, software, waveforms, and EMI/EMV/EW-hardening design techniques.
• Assess the threat environment and impacts to relevant RF systems.
• Maintain awareness and technical knowledge of UAS datalink capabilities and options, including partner service and office activities and investments.
• Coordinate with laboratories and relevant development organizations, including OSW, C2N, C5ISR, NSA, and NATO.
• Make recommendations on policy changes and technical direction to better protect Army UAS and UAS mission effectiveness.
• Represent UAS in multiple forums with the ability to discuss both technical and programmatic elements.
• Coordinate with peer offices for government-furnished equipment and information development, production, and sustainment.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute changes to address critical upgrades and/or field issues.
• Author and review Performance Work Statements for competitive datalink systems development task orders.
• Evaluate development and modification approaches for datalink systems and make recommendations regarding the best technical approach to support UAS objectives.
• Communicate directly with contractors, engineers, logisticians, program managers, and business team members to provide coordinated direction and tasking.
• Perform other related technical tasks as assigned by the Team Lead, Branch Chief, Division Lead, or Chief Engineer.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Ability to develop and provide reports to management.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to work on-site full time with limited telework eligibility.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.
• U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Product Management Office experience.
• Industry experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience with UAS datalink systems, RF systems, communications systems, or related mission systems.
• Experience with encryption, RF modeling, communication and datalink standards, standards maintenance, COMSEC, or TRANSEC.
• Experience supporting Department of War, Army Aviation, acquisition, product office, or program management office environments.
• Experience coordinating with government laboratories, development organizations, contractors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience developing or reviewing Performance Work Statements or technical acquisition documentation.
• Experience supporting system development, integration, qualification, sustainment, upgrades, or field issue resolution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong technical expertise and technical curiosity.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical and programmatic information clearly in discussions, documents, and briefings.
• Ability to interact professionally with military, government, contractor, engineering, logistics, program management, and business stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and results-oriented execution.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to assess technical risks, evaluate impacts, and recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to support policy, technical, and programmatic recommendations related to UAS datalink systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic government program office environment.
• Initiative and willingness to support a rapidly evolving UAS mission environment.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Regular i3 hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, however, additional hours may be required on occasion. Regular and punctual attendance is required.

About i3

Founded in 2007, Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3) is headquartered in Huntsville, AL, with additional offices in Orlando, FL, and the National Capital Region. We are a 100% team member-owned mid-tier integrator with over 800 employee-owners, and our culture speaks for itself: we've earned ten Best Places to Work® awards, driven by strong employee engagement, transparent leadership, and a genuine commitment to communication.

i3 team members operate at the leading edge of national defense across a broad range of technical disciplines, from systems and software engineering to modeling, simulation, and training solutions to cybersecurity, digital engineering, and enterprise IT. We also take products from prototype through production, bringing that same engineering rigor to manufacturing and delivering hardware at scale. For candidates, that means a rare opportunity: the innovation and mission focus of an engineering services company paired with the hands-on impact of building and delivering real solutions that benefit the Warfighter, all inside an employee-owned company where your contributions directly shape both the mission and your ownership stake in the business.