Data Link Navigation Engineer

Key Responsibilities

Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HITL) & LVC‑Integrated Operations

• 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.

Tactical Data Link (TDL) Engineering

• 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.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)

• Evaluate GNSS/INS integration, Kalman filtering approaches, and navigation algorithm performance.
• Research, develop and modernize GNSS and alternative navigation (Alt‑Nav) HITL simulation capabilities to maintain relevance with emerging GNSS‑modernized, anti‑jam, and resilient PNT solutions across next‑generation weapon and UAS systems
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Data Link / RF Systems

• 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.

GNSS

• Hands‑on experience with GNSS/INS integration, Kalman filtering, and navigation algorithms.
• Knowledge of anti‑jam techniques, NAVWAR considerations, and jamming threat environments.
• Proficiency with Monte Carlo/covariance analysis and navigation system M&S.
• Experience with M‑Code receivers, IMU selection/characterization, and GNSS modernization programs.
• Understanding of GNSS systems (GPS. GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou).
• Familiarity with C++ coding for algorithm development, simulation integration, or hardware‑interface support.

Education / Experience / Clearance Requirements

• Master's degree in relevant field
• 10+ years' experience.
• Top Secret clearance