Tactical Data Link Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Introduction to Fuse:

Fuse builds innovative communications, networking, and computing solutions that improve the sharing of information, video, text, and voice among operators distributed throughout the airborne, maritime, and ground environments. We are a Technology firm creating in-house software, network and hardware solutions that support our noble cause of advancing warfighter capabilities with elegant, user-focused communications, networks, and software systems.

About this role:

Fuse is looking for Field Service Engineers and Field Service Technicians to provide forward-deployed support for an airborne networking pod and associated ground systems. This role focuses on hands-on installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and sustainment of Fuse pods and expeditionary ground gateway kits in operational environments.

You will work with aircrews, JICOs, network operations teams, and Fuse engineers to keep Fuse products mission-effective: bringing the pod to Full Ops, stabilizing Link-16 and JREAP-C, enabling voice (VoSIP/radio-over-IP), and burning down integration issues under real-world conditions.

"Technician" or "Engineer" title and compensation will be determined based on skills and experience. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to work with and learn from various engineering departments and production technicians. There is opportunity to both remain in a Field Service role, as well as learn from teams and pursue career growth in a different role.

What you'll do:

Pod & Aircraft Integration

• Support upload, download, and ground checks of the pod on aircraft in coordination with maintenance and GCS crews.
• Perform pod power on, BIT, and LRU checks across the integrated communications stack, including:
• Tactical router/switch / mission computer (e.g., ruggedized compute node).
• Type 1 IP encryptor (e.g., KG 250X or equivalent HAIPE).
• Airborne IP SATCOM terminal (e.g., Starlink/StarShield or other pLEO/LEO SATCOM).
• Link 16 tactical data link terminal (e.g., KOR 24A STT, MIDS LVT, MIDS JTRS, or similar).
• Radio over IP / voice gateway (e.g., Vocality or similar RoIP/VoSIP device).
• MANET / wideband line of sight radio (e.g., Silvus, Trellisware, or similar).
• Verify aircraft/pylon power behavior (including power cycle impacts) and execute pod recovery sequences to return to Full Ops.
• Assist with umbilical routing, connector inspections, and basic mechanical/electrical checks, escalating structural or avionics issues to the appropriate maintainers.

Mission Setup & Operations

• Bring pod from cold start to mission ready by:
• Configuring the mission management / monitoring tool (e.g., browser based network/TDL status interface similar to ADSI, LMMT, and T3).
• Verifying tactical data link gateway configuration (e.g., TRAX like JREAP/Link 16 gateway software).
• Confirming crypto loads and time synchronization for Link 16 and IP encryptors in coordination with COMSEC.
• Establishing JREAP-C connectivity between the pod and ground sites.
• Monitor pod status during missions (including long duration sorties), track Link 16 and JREAP-C health, and execute recovery TTPs after power events.
• Support voice integration on the pod: assist with RoIP/VoSIP gateway and Link 16 radio voice channel configuration (e.g., 2nd channel V/UHF), perform clear voice and encrypted VoSIP checks, and support handset/radio integration as directed by engineering.
• Capture flightline observations, power cycle timelines, and system behavior in daily notes to feed back into engineering and operations.

Network, Crypto, and Data Link Support

• Work with SIPR providers, DISA, and base comms teams to validate system connectivity, bandwidth, and reachability mission services.
• Assist with configuration and basic troubleshooting of:
• JREAP-C between pod and ground sites.
• Link-16 net entry for the airborne terminal (e.g., KOR-24A STT, MIDS-LVT/JTRS): load file/application of OPTASK LINK parameters, crypto period, time reference, and antenna/RF path checks in accordance with MIL-STD-6016 and platform guidance.
• Status/data replication between the pod and shore/ground instances of the monitoring tool (e.g., WinTAK-like browser-based COP).
• Support local COMSEC personnel with loading and verifying keys for:
• Link-16 terminal (e.g., MIDS/STT TEK/TIK).
• IP encryptors (HAIPE).
• Ancillary radios or SATCOM modems.
• All actions will follow approved key-handling procedures with COMSEC personnel retaining custodial responsibility.

Testing, Troubleshooting & Documentation

• Execute repeatable ground test sequences to reproduce and isolate issues with:
• Power sequencing and aircraft power behavior.
• Network routing, bandwidth, and latency.
• Tactical data links (Link 16 PPLI/tracks, J series forwarding, JREAP-C).
• Voice services (RoIP/VoSIP) and radio audio paths.
• Red/Black (CT/PT) routing paths through encryptors and mission computers.
• Pull logs from pods, radios, routers, encryptors, and laptops and securely transfer them to Fuse engineering teams for analysis.
• Follow structured troubleshooting practices: clearly document the problem, diagnostic steps, interim workarounds, and operational impact; feed this back to engineering and leadership for defect tracking and TTP updates.
• Contribute to updates of user guides, checklists, and TTPs based on forward lessons learned and recurring field issues.

Customer & Team Interaction

• Work directly with operators, JICOs, liaison officers, and maintainers to explain Fuse capabilities, current status, and basic operating procedures in clear, user-focused language.
• Provide informal, on-the-spot training and mission-prep walkthroughs on Fuse, the ground gateway kit, and associated monitoring/GW tools to aircrew and watch floor personnel as needed.
• Represent Fuse professionally in high-visibility operational environments; identify pain points for the warfighter and relay them back to the product and engineering teams.

Requirements

Required

• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to ~75% CONUS and OCONUS for extended periods, including deployment to austere locations and support to extended mission days.
• 2+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
• Field service, avionics, or systems maintenance on military platforms.
• Tactical data links (e.g., Link-16) or multi-link gateway systems (e.g., TRAX, WinTAK, or similar).
• Tactical IP networking / SATCOM systems (e.g., pLEO/LEO SATCOM, WBHF, or Ku/Ka-band terminals) in DoD environments.
• Comfortable working on and around aircraft in coordination with maintenance and ground crews.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex systems by following procedures, using logs, and collaborating with remote engineering teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to brief status and issues concisely to both operators and engineers.

Highly Desired

• Hands-on experience with any of the following (or similar) systems:
• Link-16 terminals (e.g., KOR-24A STT, MIDS-LVT, MIDS-JTRS), JREAP-C client/servers, or other tactical data link gateways (e.g., TRAX, WinTAK).
• Type-1 HAIPE devices (e.g., KG-250X family or equivalent).
• SATCOM terminals (Starlink/StarShield, WGS, commercial Ku/Ka) and tactical IP routers/firewalls (e.g., ruggedized CORE-class systems) in deployed environments.
• Radio-over-IP / VoSIP gateways (e.g., Vocality, TACLANE-VoIP, or equivalent).
• Prior experience supporting airborne gateways, networking pods, or similar mission systems.
• Prior military service or direct support to operational units.
• Familiarity with Linux, basic command-line tools, and web-based management interfaces (e.g., cloud-hosted tactical monitoring systems similar to ADSI, LMMT, and T3).
• Experience working with COMSEC/crypto teams and interpreting OPTASK LINK, theater data link guidance, and JICO-provided network plans.

More about Fuse:

Founded in 2010, Fuse is a veteran-owned, rapidly growing small business. Our San Diego-based company has earned recognition as an emerging leader in airborne, maritime, and ground networking.  Placing the warfighter at the center of every design process, Fuse delivers intuitive, agile, and resilient products that go beyond national security requirements—providing lasting utility and game-changing results.  We take pride in our brilliant and talented team as well as our dynamic environment and collaborative, creative, environment.  We build cutting-edge hardware and software products that solve complex national security challenges for our warfighters at the tactical edge. 

Salary Range: $70,000 - $150,000 (depending on skills & experience)

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision

• Employee coverage is fully funded; a portion of dependents' coverage is funded as well
• 11 paid Federal Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Date of hire through second year: 10 days/year (accrued)
• After two years: unlimited
• 40 hours of paid sick leave per year
• 401k with employer matching
• Annual bonuses
• Cell phone reimbursement: $100/month