DescriptionChief Engineer / Technical Integration LeadLocation: San Diego, CAHybrid; on-site as required at Government facility
Salary $170K-190K annually, commensurate with tactical data link depth, clearance level, and directly relevant program experienceClearance: Active Secret required; Top Secret eligibility preferredAbout the RoleActioNet is seeking a
Chief Engineer / Technical Integration Lead to serve as the technical anchor for a Navy tactical systems modernization program in San Diego. This is a hands-on architect role that combines enterprise integration architecture with genuine tactical data link (TDL) and C4I domain depth. You own the program's core technical products: the current-state assessment of a Government test and integration environment; the prioritized mission use case backlog; the C4I/JADC2 and TDL integration architecture concept; and the integration prototype plan that moves the program from planning into demonstration. You are the senior technical voice to the Government customer, the integrator of specialist inputs (cybersecurity, networking, infrastructure, mission SMEs), and the governance authority ensuring that work across all program lines of effort aligns to a common integration architecture.
Key Responsibilities- Translate the customer's FY27 priorities across SME and software support, workforce development, and lab modernization into a sequenced technical integration baseline. Identify interfaces, dependencies, risks, and test criteria for prioritized network, compute, tactical data link, and C4I upgrades; coordinate technical inputs with the respective line-of-effort leads.
- Lead the technical assessment of an existing Navy test and integration environment: combat systems (virtual and physical), tactical data links, networks, virtualization, storage, and enterprise architecture, including integration constraints and modernization priorities.
- Develop the C4I/JADC2 (including IAMD) and TDL integration architecture concept: protocols, interfaces, data flows, integration pathways, dependencies, test objectives, and interoperability criteria.
- Apply direct tactical data link expertise (e.g., Link 16 network design and participation groups, J-series message implementation, TDL test and stimulation approaches, integration of TDLs into modular and virtualized test environments).
- Build and maintain the prioritized mission use case backlog spanning C4I/JADC2, TDL, AI/ML, HCI/DevSecOps, cybersecurity, and network modernization candidates.
- Author the Prototype Integration Plan: environment assumptions, technical integration steps, demonstration scope, test objectives, dependencies, risks, and success criteria - and lead its execution in the follow-on integration prototype phase.
- Integrate specialist inputs (cybersecurity/IL5/Zero Trust, network engineering, infrastructure architecture, vendor-platform SMEs) into unified, decision-ready architecture products.
- Provide cross-program technical governance: ensure infrastructure, digital transformation, and training lines of effort align to the common integration architecture.
- Serve as the senior technical interface to Government engineers and stakeholders in technical exchanges, design reviews, and milestone demonstrations.
- Support development of follow-on scope: Phase 2 roadmap and ROM, technology recommendations, and prototype demonstration readiness.
Required Qualifications- 12+ years of systems engineering/integration experience in Navy or DoW mission system environments, including senior or lead architect responsibility.
- Direct, hands-on tactical data link experience (Link 16 or equivalent TDL family): network design, message implementation, integration, or test - not merely adjacency.
- Demonstrated experience with C4I or C2 system architectures and their integration into test, lab, or operational environments.
- Working knowledge of modern infrastructure underpinnings: virtualization, hyperconverged infrastructure, enterprise networking, and DevSecOps concepts sufficient to architect their integration with mission systems.
- Experience producing Government-ready architecture products (DoDAF-style viewpoints, interface documentation, integration and test plans).
- Active DoW Secret clearance.
- Strong technical writing and briefing skills; comfortable presenting architecture decisions and tradeoffs to Government technical leadership.
Preferred Qualifications- Prior NIWC Pacific, NAVWAR, or Navy warfare center experience; familiarity with NAVWAR Systems Engineering Process and SIPH documentation practices.
- TS/SCI clearance or eligibility.
- Experience with JADC2 and/or Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) integration concepts.
- Experience with Lab-as-a-Service, Live-Virtual-Constructive, or simulation/stimulation test environments.
- Familiarity with AI/ML integration into C2 or decision-support workflows.
- Prior military service in a TDL, C4I, or combat systems rating/designator.
Compensation and BenefitsAnnual salary of $170,000-$190,000, commensurate with tactical data link depth, clearance level, and directly relevant NIWC/NAVWAR experience. Full-time employees are eligible for ActioNet's comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off per company policy.
********Direct Applicants, only. No Agencies, No third-party recruiters, please******** 
