Tactical Communications and Field Systems Engineer

Employer description

Tactical Communications and Field Systems Engineer

Location: Austin, Texas; on-site when not deployed

Travel: Up to 50%, including international travel and deployments to combat zones

Clearance: U.S. citizen with an active DoD Secret clearance or eligibility for reinstatement

Reports to: Field Operations Lead

About NODA AI

NODA is a Veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration.

Position Summary

The Tactical Communications and Field Systems Engineer designs, integrates, and maintains the networks that connect NODA’s unmanned platforms, ground control stations, and customer systems. The role supports field testing, demonstrations, exercises, and operational deployments, with responsibility for communications readiness, troubleshooting, and technical documentation.

Key Responsibilities

Develop mission communications plans covering radio and satellite links, mesh networks, IP addressing, encryption, antenna placement and separation, and backhaul. Establish primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency (PACE) options for critical links.

Configure, test, and maintain communications between unmanned air, ground, surface, and underwater platforms and their ground control stations, including relay and retransmission sites for beyond-line-of-sight connectivity.

Diagnose faults in radios, antennas, cabling, power systems, and IP networks, both on-site and remotely. Identify and mitigate external and self-generated interference, including jamming.

Coordinate frequency and satellite access requests with range, military, and host-nation authorities. Manage communications security (COMSEC) key loading and accountability, and apply transmission security (TRANSEC) procedures.

Fabricate and repair cables, harnesses, and connectors. Maintain equipment inventories, configuration records, spares, antennas, and field power systems.

Survey and establish field sites, verify communications before deployment, and integrate command and control, telemetry, video, and link-health data into customer systems.

Evaluate radios, waveforms, and antennas. Maintain network diagrams, configuration files, frequency records, communications plans, and after-action reports.

Train and qualify teammates and customers on communications equipment and procedures. Work with Engineering, Product, and customer teams, and support site setup, teardown, and other field activities.

Required Qualifications

At least five years of experience planning, installing, operating, and maintaining tactical communications as a military communicator or field service representative, including deployments with combat or combat support units.

Hands-on experience with HF, VHF, UHF, SATCOM, and mobile ad hoc or mesh networks, including configuration, encryption, link testing, and retransmission. Relevant systems include L3Harris AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-152, and AN/PRC-163; Motorola; TACSAT/MUOS; MPU5; Silvus; Doodle Labs; and Microhard.

Working knowledge of RF propagation, antenna theory, and electromagnetic interference. Practical skills in RF cabling, connectors, grounding, field power, and soldering, with experience using spectrum analyzers, power and standing wave ratio meters, and multimeters.

Proficiency in IP networking, including subnetting, DHCP, VLANs, routing, firewalls, VPNs, and Ethernet connections between radios, ground control stations, and payloads.

Experience with COMSEC key handling and accountability, TRANSEC, emission control, spectrum coordination, and PACE planning in environments affected by electronic warfare or jamming.

U.S. citizen with an active DoD Secret clearance or eligibility for reinstatement. A valid U.S. passport, or the ability to obtain one, and the ability to meet deployment medical and processing requirements.

Ability to travel up to 50%, including internationally and to combat zones; work nights and weekends as required; and lift up to 60 pounds in demanding field conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

CompTIA Security+, Network+, Linux+, Cisco CCNA, or a certification applicable to DoD 8140 workforce requirements.

Military tactical communications experience, such as Army 18E/25C/25S/25U, Marine Corps 0621/0629, Air Force combat communications or TACP, Navy IT/ET, or Coast Guard IT, or equivalent contractor experience.

Integration or testing of unmanned aircraft and ground, surface, or underwater vehicles, including ground control station datalinks and counter-UAS systems.

RF spectrum monitoring and signals analysis, with experience in 4G/LTE or satellite backhaul systems such as Starlink, Iridium, or VSAT.

Experience using Python for automation, equipment configuration, or log and telemetry analysis.

Experience with Linux command-line tools, single-board computers such as Raspberry Pi, and network diagnostics using Wireshark.

Experience with Jira and Confluence.

Field Operations Expectations

The engineer is expected to identify communications risks before events, troubleshoot methodically under time pressure, and maintain accurate readiness and configuration records. The role requires sound judgment in austere conditions, collaboration across teams, and willingness to cross-train in piloting, hardware integration, and demonstration support.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

We offer premium medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero paycheck premiums for you and your family

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals + Company match

Equity grants for new hires

Unlimited PTO

11 Paid holidays

Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November & December.

Generous Parental Leave

Military Leave for annual training or service requirements

FSA

DCFSA

HSA

Professional Development Opportunities

Access to One Medical

Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Professional Development

As NODA AI grows, opportunities may include advanced systems integration, communications section leadership, and operations management. Progression will depend on performance, demonstrated capabilities, and organizational needs.

Export Control

To comply with U.S. export control regulations (ITAR and EAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Commerce.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NODA AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. As a federal contractor, NODA AI complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, and considers qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable fair chance laws. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds, including women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities, to apply.

Need an accommodation during the application process? Contact [email protected] or your recruiter.