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Principal Data Links and Communications Engineer

Astrion
Bedford, MA Full Time
POSTED ON 10/25/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/6/2027
Overview

Principal Data Links and Communications Engineer

LOCATION: Hanscom AFB, MA

Salary Range: $140-$155,000 annually

  • depending on experience, certifications, and qualifications

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: Top Secret/SCI

TRAVEL: Limited, as needed

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Data Links and Communications Engineer for the EPASS Cyber and Networks Directorate (EPASS HN II) contract, supporting the Aerial Networks Division (AFLCMC/HNA) located at Hanscom AFB, MA.

Required Qualifications / Skills

  • Must be a US Citizen
  • Education: Master’s or Doctorate Degree in a related field and at least 20 years of experience in the respective technical / professional discipline being performed, 12 years of which must be in the DoD
  • OR, a Bachelor's Degree in a related field and 25 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 15 years of which must be in the DoD.
  • Must have and be ablet to maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance
  • Knowledge and experience in the development, integration, testing, and deployment of Air Force systems and their associated data links
  • Knowledge and experience in DoD Test & Evaluation at sub-system and system level
  • Experience in the following areas required:
    • DecSecOps
    • Cloud
    • Model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
    • JIRA
    • Confluence
    • GIT
    • Cameo tool
Desired Qualifications / Skills

  • Knowledge and experience in Tactical Platform Open Mission Systems (OMS) architectures, hardware/software processing environments, and limits of current OMS architectures
  • Knowledge and experience in DoD Enterprise communications activities (e.g., Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency DyNAMO/Comat Cloud)
  • Knowledge and experience in J-Series and UCI message sets/schema and protocols, interoperability needs
  • Knowledge and experience in communications planning for Tactical Platforms
  • Knowledge of BLOS Waveforms (AEHF/WGS, Protected Tactical Waveform, and Civil waveforms

Responsibilities

  • Support defining and documenting specifications for network-enabled weapon systems to ensure Link 16 J11.X message interoperability
  • Interface with DoD and non-DoD federal agencies to ensure the data link communications capability complies with the applicable regulations
  • Interface with Air Force, other services and agencies in support of developing communications equipment and managing encryption infrastructure for controlling a networked system
  • Provide technical advice on Command, Control and Communications (C3) issues, including pre-launch conditioning and planning, networked weapons, and real-time targeting
  • Advise and assist the staff Engineers, IPT members, PMs, and test team customers on performance, schedule, and cost issues with respect to planning, communications, and control
  • Support defining and documenting a set of Combat Net Radio (CNR) networking parameter configurations to provide the best balance between flexible implementation of capability and implementation impact on both existing and emerging weapon systems
  • Provide engineering support for interoperability testing weapon configurations over UHF CNR and Link 16
  • Support developing, documenting, and presenting a Joint Concept of Employment (CONEMP) which is flexible, scalable, and compatible with communications via Military tactical data exchange network
  • Support developing and documenting Joint Service approaches for integrating weapons into existing TDL environments
  • Support development and documentation of Link 16 J11.X messages within the construct of a Joint Service CM strategy that will maintain interoperability between weapon systems and controllers while supporting a flexible CONEMP

Salary : $140,000 - $155,000

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