Tactical Data Links Expert – Link 16
We are supporting a client requirement for Tactical Data Links specialists with practical experience of Link 16 systems and tactical gateway operations. The successful candidates will provide operational and integration support in customer environments, configuring, integrating, testing, troubleshooting and demonstrating Link 16 and associated gateway products while working closely with customer and internal technical stakeholders. This is a hands-on operational and systems-integration role. It does not require software development or extensive networking expertise, although candidates must be comfortable working with complex technical systems and diagnosing integration issues.
Responsibilities include configuring and integrating Tactical Data Link and Link 16 gateway systems; supporting system testing, demonstrations and customer acceptance activities; troubleshooting technical and operational issues in customer environments; providing practical advice and technical guidance to customers and delivery teams; supporting the deployment and operation of Link 16 products; collaborating with technical, operational and customer stakeholders; communicating technical information clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences; travelling regularly across the UK and to European locations, potentially approximately every other week; and maintaining the required security clearance while complying with all client security requirements.
Essential requirements include demonstrable hands-on experience with Tactical Data Links, particularly Link 16; experience configuring, integrating and troubleshooting tactical gateways; experience working directly with customers or operational users; the ability to support technical demonstrations and explain system functionality clearly; strong stakeholder-management and communication skills; eligibility to obtain and maintain SC clearance as a minimum; willingness and ability to undergo DV clearance in the future if required by the client; being UK-based and able to travel regularly across the UK and Europe; and the ability to work in a security-sensitive customer environment.
Desirable experience includes supporting defence, aerospace, government or national-security customers; working with military communications, command-and-control or mission systems; customer acceptance testing or operational deployment; classified or restricted systems; multi-disciplinary technical or delivery teams; and supporting Link 16 products through integration, demonstration or live operational use.
Benefits include a competitive salary package, share plans, value-based recognition awards and a referral bonus; career coaching, global career opportunities, internal development programmes for management and technical leadership; complex projects, rotations, technical communities, training, certifications, coaching, online learning subscriptions, workshops and conferences; a global wellbeing programme and access to wellbeing apps; and internal technical communities, hobby clubs, interest groups, inclusion and diversity programmes, events and celebrations.