Tactical Data Link (TDL) & Ground Radio Engineer

Company: International Association of Plumbing and Mechanic
Location: Palo Alto
Posted on: April 1, 2025

Job Description:

DescriptionThe National Security Sector at Leidos currently has an opening for a Tactical Datalink and Ground Radio Engineer to work at the customer site in Osan AB, Republic of Korea (South Korea). This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience helping the PACAF C5ISRO II mission. In this mission, we provide IT support to our PACAF customers throughout the Pacific Theater.Primary Responsibilities:Datalink Engineering Support

• Set up, maintain, and configure TDL equipment, interfaces, and connections to AEHF, HF, UHF, SATCOM communications systems, and associated cryptographic equipment. Plan and schedule TDL and related communications equipment installation and maintenance. Resolve installation and maintenance discrepancies using applicable directives, diagrams, and installation systems records.
• Initiate and conduct system verification tests to assess the capability and effectiveness of the datalink architecture and related communications systems and make recommendations to improve the overall datalink architecture.
• Install, remove, and configure TDL hardware and software as required, perform system startups, reboots, configure TDL man-machine and machine-machine interfaces, and system shutdowns. Monitor system performance and generate periodic summaries of system performance and usage.
• Develop preventive maintenance schedules and conduct periodic preventive maintenance, perform user account administration tasks, monitor and archive logs and audit files, apply patches as directed by the government, and identify and correct system failures. Report suspicious activities identified through monitoring logs and audit files.
• Provide technical support to the ASOG and subordinate units and shall coordinate with the JICC/RICC/SICC for additional support that may be required. This support will consist primarily of telephonic, chat, email, and on-site support to assist site personnel to troubleshoot and resolve local TDL issues.
• Support configuration management activities by maintaining and providing TDL architectural diagrams, equipment listings, and software versioning and configuration information to each operator or subordinate unit upon request.
• Inspect and test assigned systems and components; coordinate with commercial vendors and depots as required to test system components and assemblies to isolate faulty hardware and software; remove, repair, replace, and restore datalink systems or subsystems.
• Advise on complex issues related to data link (Link l1, Link 16, SADL, etc.) operation and system configuration. Assist operators in the effective operation of data link equipment for a variety of operational conditions. Provide technical advice on multi-TDL network design and implementation. Design special tests, develop special procedures, and develop and conduct technical training for unit operators. Understand and can operate a variety of encryption and communication systems related to data link operations. Comply with USAF COMSEC standards. Provide expert advice on data link protocols including, but not limited to MIL-STD 6011, MIL-STD 6016, MIL-STD 6020, MIL-STD 3011 (JREAP A, B, C), TCP/IP, serial and satellite standards. Recommend changes to data link practices/processes. Provide technical advice to collect design deficiencies. Represent ASOG at JICO conferences, and working groups and as required, conduct site visits in support of real-world operations and exercises. Attend exercise planning conferences to make requests in initial exchange requirements. Establish, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with other services and national/international officials. Meet with operators and subordinate units to assess satisfaction, explain organizational policy and procedures, and resolve problems that arise. Provide operator guidance and training. Develop well-reasoned, analyzed reports for ASOG leadership recommend solutions for unresolved or questionable problems, and perform follow-up. Assist in research and determine or recommend appropriate actions or interpretations of issues that impact organization, installation, or command.
• Maintain access to the COMSEC account to load, delete, and manage encryption keys as needed in support of secure TDL operations.Ground Radio Support
  • Set up, maintain, and configure ground radio equipment, interfaces, and connections to communications systems and associated cryptographic equipment. Plan and schedule radio and related communications equipment installation and maintenance. Resolve installation and maintenance discrepancies using applicable directives, diagrams, and installation systems records.
  • Initiate and conduct system verification tests to assess the capability and effectiveness of the ground radios and related communications systems and make recommendations to improve the overall ground radio program.
  • Install, remove, and configure ground radio hardware and software as required, perform system startups, reboots, configure radio man-machine and machine-machine interfaces, and system shutdowns. Monitor system performance and generate periodic summaries of system performance and usage.
  • Develop preventive maintenance schedules and conduct periodic preventive maintenance, perform user account administration tasks, monitor and archive logs and audit files, apply patches as directed by the government, and identify and correct system failures. Report suspicious activities identified through monitoring logs and audit files.
  • Provide technical support to the ASOG and subordinate units and shall coordinate with the TACP PMO, CRANE, or vendors for additional support that may be required. This support will consist primarily of telephonic, chat, email, and on-site support to assist site personnel to troubleshoot and resolve local ground radio issues.
  • Support configuration management activities by maintaining and providing ground radio architectural diagrams, equipment listings, and software versioning and configuration information to each operator or subordinate unit upon request.
  • Inspect and test assigned systems and components; coordinate with commercial vendors and depots as required to test system components and assemblies to isolate faulty hardware and software; remove, repair, replace, and restore ground radio systems or subsystems.
  • Advise on complex issues related to ground radio (PRC-117G, PRC-160, PRC-167, PRC-163, PRC-152A, etc.) operation and configuration of associated antennas and supporting equipment. Assist operators in the effective operation of ground radio equipment for a variety of operational conditions. Provide technical advice on ground radio network design and implementation. Design special tests, develop special procedures, and develop and conduct technical training for unit operators. Understand and operate a variety of encryption and communication systems related to ground radio operations. Comply with USAF COMSEC standards. Provide expert advice on ground radio waveforms including, but not limited to VULOS, ANW2, TSM, MUOS, HF, UHF, VHF, IW, Skylight and TCP/IP, serial and satellite standards. Recommend changes to ground radio practices/processes. Provide technical advice to collect design deficiencies. Represent ASOG at JICO conferences, and working groups and as required, conduct site visits in support of real-world operations and exercises. Attend exercise planning conferences to make requests for frequency requirements. Establish, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with other services and national/international officials. Meet with operators and subordinate units to assess satisfaction, explain organizational policy and procedures, and resolve problems that arise. Provide operator guidance and training. Develop well-reasoned, analyzed reports for ASOG leadership, recommend solutions for unresolved or questionable problems, and perform follow-up. Assist in research and determine or recommend appropriate actions or interpretations of issues that impact organization, installation, or command.
  • Maintain access to the COMSEC account to load, delete, and manage encryption keys as needed in support of secure ground radio operations.Basic Qualifications:
    • Active Secret clearance
    • DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification
    • Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer information systems, or related discipline. May substitute 3 years of relevant military datalink and ground radio experience for required educational qualifications.
    • Must have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience working with datalink and ground radio systems (10 years of experience required without a bachelor's degree).
    • Completion of JT- 102 Multi-Tactical Data Link Advanced Joint Interoperability Course is required.
    • Experience operating and maintaining Situation Awareness Data Link (SADL), Link-16, and Joint Range Extension Application Protocols (JREAP A, B, and C) beyond line-of-sight data link networks.
    • Experience operating and maintaining various versions of the Maneuver Gateway, Move Out/Jump Off (MOJO), and Battlefield Awareness & Targeting System - Dismounted (BATS-D) PRC-161.
    • Experience operating and maintaining various ground radios such as the PRC-117G, PRC-160, PRC-152A, PRC-167, and PRC-163 and leverages various waveforms on these radios to distribute data, voice, and TDL capabilities.Preferred Qualifications:
      • Completion of Link 16 Unit Manager Course (JT-220) or Multi-TDL Operations Planning Course, JF-201.
      • Extensive knowledge of SNC TRAX, WinTAK, ATAK, Engility JRE Client Software, Harris CPA, and Basic Windows and Linux Red Hat Enterprise.
      • Experience with Network Integration and protocols (IP, TCP, and UDP).
      • Experience with debugging issues with hardware-in-the-loop.External Referral EligibleOriginal Posting Date: 2025-01-07While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.Pay Range: Pay Range $89,700.00 - $162,150.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.
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Keywords: International Association of Plumbing and Mechanic, Palo Alto , Tactical Data Link (TDL) & Ground Radio Engineer, Engineering , Palo Alto, California