Title: Manager, Field Systems Engineering
Department: CEFD
Last Modified: 8/6/2026
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Remote - MD/DC/VA
Level: M2
Range: $135,600 - $202,800
Position Summary
The Manager, Field Systems Engineering provides technical leadership for on-site systems engineering, installation, integration, technical verification, and testing support for Comtech's advanced satellite IP hardware and software solutions. The role is responsible for managing and supporting the deployment, commissioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting of customer networks to ensure reliable and optimal system performance. The Manager, Field Systems Engineering serves as a senior technical escalation point for Support Engineers, providing expert guidance and hands-on support for complex customer network issues. The position requires strong customer-facing skills, the ability to troubleshoot and resolve technically complex issues in a timely manner, and availability for on-call support as required to address critical customer and network issues.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Systems Engineering & Customer Support: Provide expert systems engineering, integration, installation, technical verification, testing, and troubleshooting support for Comtech satellite IP hardware and software solutions. Travel to customer sites for network/hub installation, audits, debugging, training, and other technical support activities.
- Technical Escalation & Engineering Interface: Serve as the primary technical escalation point for complex hardware and software issues. Lead troubleshooting and resolution of escalated customer issues, working closely with Technical Support, Product Engineering, R&D, and other technical organizations to identify root causes, resolve defects, and address product requirements and enhancements.
- Verification, Testing & Product Readiness: Lead hardware and software verification and testing in the engineering lab, including new releases, patches, and product enhancements. Develop test plans, acceptance procedures, test documentation, and reports to ensure products meet published specifications and customer requirements.
- Customer & Sales Engineering Support: Provide technical expertise in customer meetings, network design, integration, installation, debugging, and professional services. Partner with Sales Engineering and TAC to address customer requirements and deliver effective technical solutions while maintaining strong customer relationships.
- Engineering Lab Management: Maintain the engineering lab, including equipment inventory, hardware/software configurations, network and IP documentation, rack configurations, and required lab infrastructure. Coordinate procurement and ensure the lab remains operational and ready for engineering and customer support activities.
- Technical Training & Knowledge Transfer: Provide training and technical guidance to Technical Support teams on Comtech hardware and software, new releases, upgrades, patches, troubleshooting methodologies, and best practices. Maintain comprehensive documentation of testing, troubleshooting, and customer issue resolution activities.
Qualifications
- Networking & IP: Strong knowledge of IP networking and protocols, including TCP/IP, UDP, QoS, SNMP, HTTP, and IPsec. Proficiency with network diagnostic and analysis tools such as Wireshark, SNMP monitoring tools, and database query tools.
- Satellite Communications & RF: Strong knowledge of commercial satellite earth stations and VSAT systems, including satellite modems, HPA/BUC, LNA/LNB, RF converters, and associated RF systems. Familiarity with C-, Ku-, and L-Band systems and RF block/level diagrams.
- Network & Systems Infrastructure: Experience with LAN/WAN infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, VPN concentrators, VoIP gateways, and related computer and network systems. Working knowledge of Windows and Linux operating environments.
- Test & Troubleshooting: Hands-on experience in technical engineering/test lab environments, including use of packet/protocol analyzers, LAN/WAN analyzers, spectrum analyzers, BER test sets, satellite delay simulators, and other network/RF test equipment.
- Technical Communication & Documentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop technical reports, procedures, training materials, presentations, and customer-facing documentation. Ability to effectively communicate complex technical issues to engineers, management, and customers.
- Database & Analytical Skills: Working knowledge of relational databases and structured queries, including MS SQL and MySQL. Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex technical issues.
- Collaboration & Leadership: Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across Engineering, Tech-support, Sales, and other internal organizations, as well as with customers. Ability to work independently with limited supervision and effectively manage multiple priorities.
- Prior experience supporting satellite communications, IP networking, systems engineering, or technical test environments is required. Experience in a customer-facing technical support or field engineering role is highly desirable.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering or a similar discipline
Experience:
- 7-10 years of related work experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
This position requires compliance with Comtech's Drug-Free Workplace Program. Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire. Employees may be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-incident testing. Illegal drug use - including marijuana, regardless of state law - is disqualifying under federal adjudicative guidelines and DoD DFARS requirements.
The pay range reflects the expected base salary for this position. Final compensation will be based on role, level, skills, experience, and geographic location.
