Microwave Communications Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description The Communications and Interoperability Unit Manager serves as the Division of State Emergency Medical Services' lead engineer and technical program manager for public safety voice and data communications systems. Assigned to the Communications and Interoperability Unit within the Communications and Data Integration Branch of the Bureau of EMS Administration, the position engineers, evaluates, implements, configures, operates, and maintains land mobile radio, microwave, satellite, cellular push-to-talk, telephony, call-routing and recording systems, mobile networking, dispatch, interoperability gateway, and deployable communications systems supporting the State Medical Operations Coordination Center, State EMS Task Force, Division field operations, planned events, exercises, and emergency incidents. The position performs highly complex technical and analytical work involving radio frequency engineering, telecommunications infrastructure, IP networking, mobile communications, system integration, spectrum use, public safety interoperability, and emergency communications continuity.

Assignments frequently involve multiple technologies, system owners, manufacturers, frequency bands, system types, network environments, security controls, and jurisdictional requirements. The incumbent independently evaluates technical information, identifies system dependencies and failure points, develops original engineering solutions, establishes configurations and standards, and determines the appropriate balance among coverage, capacity, reliability, interoperability, cybersecurity, operational usability, cost, and maintainability. Work may occur during system outages, planned events, exercises, or rapidly evolving emergencies when information is incomplete, conditions are changing, and communications capabilities must be restored or adapted under significant time constraints.

Errors in system design, configuration, maintenance, frequency coordination, access control, or technical recommendations may cause loss of communications, interference with partner systems, delayed emergency response, impaired situational awareness, exposure of protected communications, avoidable equipment costs, or risks to responder and public safety. The incumbent works under general direction and exercises substantial judgment in determining technical methods, priorities, corrective actions, escalation requirements, and recommendations to Division leadership. The incumbent establishes technical, configuration, maintenance, security, and operational-readiness standards; analyzes complex system failures and interoperability gaps; develops solutions that integrate Division assets with state, regional, and local public safety systems; manages communications equipment throughout its lifecycle; coordinates vendors, service providers, contractors, and partner agencies; and advises Division leadership on communications capabilities, risks, investments, and modernization priorities.

The incumbent may supervise technical or administrative staff assigned to the unit as staffing resources evolve, while the position's primary focus remains independent radio engineering, communications systems management, technical planning, and operational support. Major Functions & Associated Duties: Communications Systems Engineering and Technical Assurance - 35% Engineers, evaluates, configures, and supports fixed, mobile, and deployable land mobile radio, microwave, satellite, cellular push-to-talk, voice-over-IP and other telephony systems, call-routing and recording platforms, dispatch, mobile networking, interoperability gateway, and IP-based communications systems used by the Division; Develops system architectures, technical requirements, equipment configurations, performance standards, acceptance criteria, and engineering recommendations to ensure communications systems meet operational, interoperability, reliability, cybersecurity, and continuity requirements; Conducts radio coverage, propagation, interference, capacity, connectivity, and system-performance analyses to identify deficiencies and determine appropriate corrective actions; Programs portable and mobile radios and develops code plugs, frequency and channel plans, talk group configurations, radio identifiers, templates, encryption and access configurations, and device profiles based on approved communications plans and operational requirements; Analyzes hardware, software, radio frequency, network, power, and configuration failures to identify root causes and implement or direct corrective actions; Reviews frequency use, system licensing, channel assignments, talk group access, device settings, and system configurations for compliance with applicable technical requirements, operational plans, and spectrum-management practices; Tests system components, interfaces, redundancy measures, software or firmware updates, and communications pathways before implementation or operational use; Analyzes call routing, trucking, session initiation protocol configurations, automatic call distribution, failover, recording, number management, and voice-quality issues to maintain reliable telephony services supporting operational and emergency communications; Evaluates emerging technologies, proposed upgrades, and system-integration options and recommends solutions based on operational need, technical feasibility, interoperability, resilience, security, lifecycle cost, scalability, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. Operational Readiness, Deployment, and Incident Communications Support - 25% Maintains the operational readiness of communications systems and deployable assets supporting the State Medical Operations Coordination Center, State EMS Task Force, planned events, exercises, continuity operations, and emergency incidents; Establishes and conducts inspection, diagnostic testing, preventive maintenance, firmware and software update, battery-maintenance, spare-equipment, and replacement procedures to ensure communications assets remain available for immediate use; Configures and integrates radios, dispatch interfaces, telephone handsets, softphones, voice-over-IP gateways, call-routing and recording systems, cellular push-to-talk devices, mobile routers, satellite equipment, interoperability gateways, antennas, power systems, network equipment, and associated peripherals for use at fixed facilities, command posts, mobilization bases, staging areas, alternate operating locations, and field sites; Assesses communications requirements for incidents and planned events and develops technical solutions addressing coverage limitations, infrastructure failure, network congestion, system incompatibility, damaged equipment, loss of commercial service, or other operational barriers; Develops deployable communications packages and system configurations appropriate to the mission, operating environment, participating agencies, anticipated system demand, and available infrastructure; Deploys to operational locations to install, operate, monitor, troubleshoot, repair, replace, or reconfigure communications systems under changing and time-sensitive conditions; Coordinates service restoration, equipment repair, replacement equipment, technical support, and escalation activities with vendors, service providers, system owners, state agencies, and other partners; Documents system failures, communications limitations, corrective actions, and lessons learned and incorporates findings into equipment configurations, maintenance procedures, readiness standards, and future operational plans.

Interoperability Planning and Interagency Coordination - 15% Develops and updates interoperable communications plans supporting Division operations involving Department programs, state agencies, local governments, public safety organizations, healthcare facilities, EMS agencies, regional partners, and other response organizations; Prepares frequency and talk group matrices, communications resource inventories, technical diagrams, interoperability procedures, communications assignments, equipment plans, and contingency communications strategies for incidents, exercises, special events, and continuity operations; Analyzes interagency communications capabilities to identify technical, coverage, capacity, compatibility, governance, security, policy, or procedural gaps that could impede operational coordination; Recommends communications pathways, equipment configurations, gateway solutions, shared resources, mutual-aid capabilities, or procedural measures that enable participating organizations to communicate while preserving system security, authorized access, and operational control; Coordinates technical planning with Department of Health offices, state communications programs, regional communications organizations, public safety agencies, system operators, healthcare partners, and other stakeholders to align Division capabilities with statewide and regional systems; Participates in statewide and regional communications governance bodies, technical committees, planning groups, exercises, and improvement initiatives; Applies applicable objectives of the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan and other recognized interoperability frameworks to Division planning, system development, equipment investments, training, and operating procedures; Represents the Division in technical discussions concerning public safety communications, spectrum use, emergency communications resilience, system integration, and interoperability. Communications Program Management, User Support, Training, and Documentation - 15% Manages the technical and administrative activities of the Communications and Interoperability Unit by establishing work priorities, organizing projects, scheduling maintenance and implementation activities, and adjusting work to address incidents, outages, operational deadlines, and emerging Division needs; Supervises technical or administrative staff assigned to the unit, as applicable, by establishing priorities, assigning and reviewing work, providing technical direction and training, evaluating performance, and completing supervisory actions in accordance with Department requirements; Coordinates the work of vendors, contractors, service providers, and partner agencies and evaluates deliverables for compliance with technical specifications, engineering standards, security requirements, documentation requirements, schedules, and operational objectives; Provides technical consultation, troubleshooting assistance, and problem resolution to Division personnel who operate, administer, or rely upon communications systems and equipment; Develops and delivers training on radio procedures, equipment operation, system configuration, communications plans, deployment practices, diagnostic procedures, cybersecurity precautions, and incident communications practices; Develops and maintains standard operating procedures, technical manuals, system diagrams, configuration records, code plug documentation, programming templates, user guides, training materials, testing protocols, inspection forms, maintenance records, service histories, and after-action documentation; Administers user, device, radio identifier, talk group, frequency, encryption, and system-access records to maintain accurate configuration control and operational accountability; Prepares technical analyses, status reports, briefing materials, risk assessments, corrective-action recommendations, and other documentation for Division leadership concerning communications readiness, system performance, operational limitations, technical risks, and program needs. Asset Lifecycle Management, Procurement, and Strategic Modernization - 10% Administers the inventory, assignment, storage, maintenance history, warranty status, software and firmware status, configuration, and operational condition of Division communications equipment, infrastructure, and related accessories; Conducts lifecycle, condition, capacity, failure-trend, and obsolescence assessments to identify equipment or systems requiring repair, upgrade, replacement, redistribution, consolidation, or retirement; Develops technical specifications, cost estimates, procurement documentation, evaluation criteria, budget recommendations, and implementation plans for communications equipment, infrastructure, system services, software, subscriptions, maintenance agreements, and professional services; Evaluates vendor proposals, equipment demonstrations, system designs, and completed deliverables for compliance with technical requirements, interoperability standards, cybersecurity controls, and Division operating needs; Monitors maintenance agreements, system licenses, subscriptions, warranties, support services, and vendor obligations to prevent interruptions in communications capability; Plans system capacity, redundancy, resilience, scalability, and continuity to support expansion of the State Medical Operations Coordination Center, State EMS Task Force, and other Division programs; Develops multiyear recommendations for communications infrastructure, technology modernization, equipment replacement, system consolidation, and integration of emerging technologies; Coordinates the secure transfer, decommissioning, disposal, or retirement of obsolete equipment in accordance with applicable Department asset-control, information-security, and records-management requirements.

Minimum Qualifications *Six years of experience as a radio systems engineer involving the development, deployment, operation, and maintenance, of wireless land mobile radio or other wireless communications systems. Substitutions: *College degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, applied engineering, physics, or a related field may substitute for general experience as follows: associate's two years, bachelor's four years, and master's five years. Preferred Qualifications: (Certifications / Licenses): Federal Communications Commission General Radiotelephone Operator License or comparable radio technician certification; Completion of Communications Unit Technician, Communications Unit Leader, or comparable public safety communications training; Completion of Incident Command System courses ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, IS-700, and IS-800, or willingness to complete assigned courses within a timeframe established by the Division; Manufacturer, industry, or professional training in Project 25 systems, radio frequency engineering, microwave or satellite communications, IP networking, cybersecurity, dispatch systems, or related communications technologies.

Preferred Qualifications (Experience): At least two years of the qualifying experience in a public safety, emergency management, healthcare, governmental, or other mission-critical communications environment; Experience engineering, configuring, testing, troubl...