Data Links & Communication Engineer SME

Applied Research Solutions is seeking candidates for the role of Data Links & Communications Engineer SME located at Hanscom AFB, in Bedford, MA.

• The candidate shall provide knowledge and experience in the development, integration, testing, and deployment of Air Force systems and their associated data links, to include definition of data link interoperability, interfaces, and verification and test assessment requirements. This includes interfacing with the Federal, Department of Defense (DoD), United States Air Force (USAF), United States Army, and Joint communities to ensure the data link communications capability complies with the applicable Federal Aviation Administration, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), National Security Agency (NSA), Service Acquisition Executive, Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), Damage Assessment and Casualty Report business and technical rules.
• The candidate shall provide resources with knowledge and experience in Developmental and Operational test and Evaluation at the sub-system and system level. This includes interface with Air Combat Command, Air Force Command and Control Integration Center, Joint Interoperability Test Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, and all levels of the organizations that develop and manage the C3 and encryption key distribution infrastructure for controlling a networked system, providing technical advice on C4 issues, including pre-launch conditioning and planning, aircraft-weapon pre- and post-release communications, and real-time targeting.
• The Contractor shall advise and assist the program Chief Engineer, Integrated Product Team (IPT) Leads, Program Managers (PMs), and joint combined test team customers on performance, schedule, and cost issues with respect to planning, communications, and control.
• The contractor will perform other duties as assigned.

The candidate may be called upon for knowledge and experience in the following specific areas:

• Combat Net Radio (CNR): includes defining and documenting a set of CNR networking parameter configurations to be used by Air Force (AF) weapon systems and controllers that will provide the best balance between flexible implementation of capability and implementation impact on both existing controllers and emerging weapon systems.
• Test and Demonstration: includes engineering support for interoperability testing weapon configurations with Threshold and Objective launch platforms/controllers and ground Joint Terminal Attack Controllers over Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) CNR and Link 16 communications.
• Joint Concept of Employment (CONEMP): includes developing, documenting, and presenting a Joint CONEMP that is vetted by Combatant Commands and responsible for Department of Defense (DoD)/Joint Chiefs of Staff/Service agencies, is flexible and scalable across conflict intensity and Joint/single-service command architectures, supports third-party targeting and handoff of control, is compatible with communications via Military tactical data exchange networks, such as LINK-16 and UHF/CNR, is aligned with weapon and controller system capabilities, and is transferrable to warfighter training environments.
• Cryptologic Systems: includes the development of a Joint approach whereby Communication Security (COMSEC) cryptologic data can be passed from its source to weapons and its controllers.
• Link 16 Networking: includes developing and documenting Joint Service approaches for integrating weapons into existing tactical data link (TDL) environments that support effective weapon capability across a broad range of warfare intensity and force architectures, while minimizing negative impact on existing users and usage of those environments.
• Interface Control: includes completing the development and documentation of Link-16 J11.X messages, within the construct of a Joint Service Configuration management (CM) strategy that will maintain interoperability between weapon systems and controllers, while supporting a flexible CONEMPS, and allowing for rapid, responsive evolution of the weapon system capability.
• Implementation: includes defining and documenting specifications for network enabled weapon systems, Threshold and Objective launch/control aircraft and ground control systems (e.g. the F-15E, F-35 B&C, the USAF Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Close Air Support System, and the United States Marine Corps Target Location Designation Handoff System) to ensure Link-16 J11.X message interoperability with applicable weapon systems.
• Digitally Aided Close Air Support (DACAS): includes completing and documenting the Joint "Doctrine, Organization, Training, Leadership Awareness, Personnel, Facilities" Change Recommendation (DCR) to establish the manpower, training, equipment, and infrastructure requirements and procedures to enable war fighters to plan, disseminate, and manage networking parameters via applicable datalinks. Also includes coordination and approval of the DCR package through required staffing procedures and continuing the development and documentation of weapon system specifications.
• United States Message Text Format (USMTF): includes completing and documenting USMTF formats to support weapon operations to plan and promulgate network parameters and facilitate machine-to-machine mission planning via Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS). Also includes providing technical knowledge on Network Enabled Weapon (NEW) interfaces and engineering support to USMTF representatives to integrate weapon information exchange requirements into national and international standards and publications.
• Joint Interoperability of Tactical Command and Control Systems (JINTACCS): The Contractor shall advise and assist in providing weapon systems engineering support to DoD TDL agencies to ensure weapon interoperability among the tactical aircraft and command-and-control systems used in joint and combined military operations. JINTACCS forums relevant to weapon system employment include, but are not limited to:

• DISA CNR Working Group
• DISA USMTF Community of Interest
• Air Force Tactical Data Network Requirements Group
• Air Force Joint Tactical Information Distribution System Network Managers Working Group
• Joint Staff DACAS Configuration Control Board
• Variable Message Format (VMF) Interoperability Summit
• TACP - Modernization Interface Control Working Group
• NEW Interoperability Working Group
• Joint Interface Control Officer Symposium

Qualifications/Technical Experience Requirements:

• Must be a US citizen
• The minimum education and experience requirements are a Master's degree in engineering and 15 years of experience which must be Data Links and Communication engineering experience, 5 years of which must be in Department of Defense (DoD).
• DoD 8570.01 MMGT512 compliant certification.
• Experience with the Risk Management Framework (RMF).
• Baseline Certifications: CISSP (or Associate), CISM, GSLC or CCISO required.
• Active Top Secret Security Clearance

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on disability and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)