Mid-Level Tactical Support Engineer

Firebird AST is seeking an onsite Top Secret/SCI cleared Mid-Level Tactical Support Engineer in Cannon AFB, New Mexico to support special forces. The ideal candidate will bring prior military special operations expertise in tactical communications, fires integration, digital mission systems (TAK, radios, SATCOM), and help desk support.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot secure voice, data, and radio communication systems.
• Configure and manage Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) systems for situational awareness and mission planning.
• Integrate and support fires coordination systems for joint/coalition operations.
• Conduct preventative maintenance and corrective actions on a variety of radio systems (HF, VHF, UHF, SATCOM).
• Train and mentor personnel on communication equipment, protocols, and mission software.
• Develop and implement contingency communications plans to ensure operational continuity.
• Document configurations, SOPs, and technical manuals in compliance with DoD standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support operational and intelligence objectives.

REQUIRED

• 3 years of SOCOM experience.
• Active DoD Top Secret/SCI
• Minimum 3 years prior military experience in SOF communications (Army 18E or equivalent).
• Experience with encryption, key management, and COMSEC procedures.
• Ability to work in high-tempo environments and adapt to dynamic mission needs.
• Familiarity with Tactical Data Links (TDL) such as Link-16
• Hands-on experience with AN/PRC-163 or AN/PRC-167
• Tactical Communications: Managed, secured, and operated voice, data, and satellite communication systems to maintain continuous connectivity in austere and contested environments.
• TAK Integration: Deployed and maintained TAK systems to provide situational awareness, data sharing, and real-time coordination during missions.
• Fires Coordination: Supported precision targeting and fires missions through accurate communication, system synchronization, and secure data transfer.
• Technical Proficiency: Installed, configured, and maintained HF/VHF/UHF radios, satellite terminals, and IP-based communication systems.
• Leadership & Training: Trained and mentored joint personnel on communications systems, ensuring mission readiness and technical proficiency.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or other related discipline; OR the equivalent technical training with experience that aligns directly to the duties to be performed in lieu of degree for specific user units.

PREFERRED

• Minimum of 5 years operational experience with or supporting an organization’s: navigation and mission planning techniques including preparation and check out of flight plans for aircraft weapons systems OR mission planning computer systems, communications, mission equipment, and planning techniques including preparation of unit mission plans for conduct of peacetime and wartime special operations missions.
• DoD 8570 IAT Level 2, or higher certification (EX: CompTIA Security , Network , or equivalent).
• Prior Army 18E experience.
• Experience in:

  • System & Network Troubleshooting (LAN/WAN, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, routing/switching)

  • Help Desk / Tier I–II Support (ticketing systems like Remedy, Jira, ServiceNow)

  • Hardware & Software Diagnostics (laptops, routers, SATCOM, sensors, etc.)

  • Operating Systems: Windows (Server & Desktop), Linux/Unix

  • Network Monitoring Tools: Wireshark, SolarWinds, Nagios, Splunk (if applicable)

  • System Imaging & Deployment: SCCM, Ghost, PXE boot environments

  • Vulnerability Management

• Proficiencey or high potential to gain some level of proficiency to enable and train software capabilities across three domains: (1) operations, (2) intelligence warfighting functions and (3) tactical echelon Mission Planning and Execution domain.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, reports, policy, legal documents, etc.
• Ability to prepare reports and presentations to company management and customers.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, strategic and innovative thinker, and passion for the mission.
• Ability to identify and solve problems.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or other related discipline; OR the equivalent technical training with experience that aligns directly to the duties to be performed in lieu of degree for specific user units.

CLEARANCE

• Active DoD TS/SCI

About Firebird AST:

Firebird AST is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) based in Northern Virginia and a market-recognized leader within the IC, Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and Law Enforcement. We maintain a corporate culture deeply rooted in the US Military core values that gave us our start - honor, integrity, commitment, and selfless service. For this reason, our customers' needs and missions always comes first. We seek hard working, highly experienced, extremely motivated, professionally proven subject matter experts, trainers, leaders, innovators, and technical experts to serve on our team. Firebird AST has a firm understanding that our employees are our greatest asset and that, accordingly, they are to be provided the greatest level of respect and care possible.

Firebird AST is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.