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NODA AI, a veteran-owned, venture-backed defense technology company, is seeking a Tactical Communications and Field Systems Engineer to design, integrate, and maintain communications networks connecting unmanned systems, ground control stations, and customer systems. Based in Austin with up to 50% travel including international deployments to combat zones, this role is central to field testing, demonstrations, exercises, and operational deployments.
Key responsibilities include developing mission communications plans covering radio and satellite links, mesh networks, IP addressing, encryption, antenna placement, and PACE (primary, alternate, contingency, emergency) options. You will 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. The role requires diagnosing faults in radios, antennas, cabling, power systems, and IP networks both on-site and remotely, identifying and mitigating external and self-generated interference including jamming.
Additional responsibilities include coordinating frequency and satellite access requests with range, military, and host-nation authorities; managing communications security (COMSEC) key loading and accountability; fabricating and repairing cables, harnesses, and connectors; maintaining equipment inventories and configuration records; surveying and establishing field sites; evaluating radios, waveforms, and antennas; and training teammates and customers on communications equipment and procedures. You will work collaboratively with Engineering, Product, and customer teams, and support site setup, teardown, and other field activities.
The role requires sound judgment in austere conditions, methodical troubleshooting under time pressure, accurate readiness and configuration record-keeping, and willingness to cross-train in piloting, hardware integration, and demonstration support.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum 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; familiarity with systems such as L3Harris AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-152, 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; 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; valid U.S. passport or ability to obtain one; 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; lift up to 60 pounds in demanding field conditions
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- CompTIA Security+, Network+, Linux+, Cisco CCNA, or DoD 8140 workforce-applicable certifications
- Military tactical communications experience (Army 18E/25C/25S/25U, Marine Corps 0621/0629, Air Force combat communications or TACP, Navy IT/ET, 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; experience with 4G/LTE or satellite backhaul systems (Starlink, Iridium, VSAT)
- Python for automation, equipment configuration, or log and telemetry analysis
- Linux command-line tools, single-board computers (Raspberry Pi), and network diagnostics (Wireshark)
- Jira and Confluence experience
