Principal Field Engineer

Job Description

Description

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled Principal Field Engineer to serve as a Technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the Joint Range Extension (JRE) Team. In this critical role, you will support customer engagements, enable tactical mission success, and provide expert guidance across the full spectrum of Tactical Data Link (TDL) operations. The ideal candidate brings deep operational understanding of tactical data links, existing tactical data link capability gaps, and demonstrates the ability to drive innovation to mitigate those gaps, all while working independently in a hybrid environment.

The ideal candidate brings deep operational understanding in Army Aviation, Link‑16, ATAK/WINTAK, and VMF, along with the ability to work independently in a hybrid environment.

This position requires a dynamic, self‑motivated professional with strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and the capacity to manage travel, schedules, and coordination across a distributed team.

This REMOTE role requires residency in the Huntsville, Alabama area. Travel up to 25% may be required, typically in short durations of one to two weeks.

JOB DUTIES:

* Partner with JRE team members to ensure timely, high‑quality support to end users while contributing to future capability planning and development.

* Act as a primary point of contact for customers and stakeholders, delivering expert support across Tactical Data Link operations.

* Collaborate with end users to define and document JRE capability requirements.

* Identify, define, and communicate new software capability needs to both technical and programming teams.

* Support test and evaluation events, providing technical insight and operational expertise.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

* Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience;
Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ;
PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience. Equivalent operational experience in TDL may be considered.

* Must be a U.S. Citizen

* Must have an Active Secret Clearance to start

* Must have background in Army Aviation, Link-16, ATAK/WINTAK, VMF operational experience.

* Demonstrated experience in:

* Tactical Data Link (TDL) Operations

* Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense (AIAMD) Operations

* Army Capability Management

* Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS)

* Link‑16 operations

* Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP)

* ATAK and WINTAK programs (TAK)

* Variable Message Format (VMF)

* MIL‑STDs and STANAGs

DESIRED

SKILLS:

* Joint Interface Control Officer (JICO) Certification

* Program Management

* Patriot Missile System

Overview

SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

SAIC is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit  For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.