The
Manager, Link Layer Integration, Verification & Validation is responsible for leading the end-to-end integration, verification, validation, and operational readiness of advanced communication link systems supporting next-generation satellite and broadband communication networks.
This position owns the planning, execution, and reporting of system-level testing activities to ensure communication link functionality meets system requirements, performance objectives, reliability targets, and operational readiness criteria. The successful candidate will lead a team of Verification & Validation (V&V) engineers while collaborating closely with Systems Engineering, RF Engineering, Payload Engineering, Network Engineering, Operations, Software Development, and external suppliers to deliver high-quality system releases.
This role requires strong technical leadership, excellent communication skills, and extensive experience integrating complex communications systems across hardware, software, and network environments.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
- Own the integration, verification, and validation strategy for communication link systems across multiple product releases.
- Lead end-to-end system integration and testing spanning ground infrastructure, communication payloads, network control systems, and operational environments.
- Develop and maintain verification plans, test procedures, acceptance criteria, and verification matrices.
- Ensure complete traceability between system requirements, verification activities, test execution, and certification evidence.
- Identify technical risks and implement mitigation strategies throughout the product development lifecycle.
Test Planning & System Validation
- Plan and execute laboratory, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and integrated system testing activities.
- Lead system readiness efforts supporting Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), System Readiness Reviews (SRR), Operational Readiness Reviews (ORR), and production milestones.
- Review and approve supplier verification plans, validation reports, and release documentation.
- Drive issue investigation, defect triage, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and verification closure in collaboration with engineering teams and external partners.
- Ensure system performance meets functional, reliability, availability, and operational objectives.
Leadership & Team Development
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing Verification & Validation engineering team.
- Assign priorities, manage project workloads, and ensure delivery against program schedules.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to engineers.
- Support recruiting, onboarding, career development, and succession planning for the engineering organization.
- Foster a collaborative, quality-focused engineering culture.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as the primary Verification & Validation representative for communication link systems.
- Collaborate closely with:
- Systems Engineering
- RF Engineering
- Payload Engineering
- Network Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Operations
- Program Management
- Manufacturing
- Quality Assurance
- Participate in architecture reviews, design reviews, technical assessments, and system integration planning.
- Communicate project status, risks, technical issues, and verification results to engineering leadership and executive stakeholders.
Certification & Quality Assurance
- Produce complete, traceable, and auditable verification evidence supporting internal acceptance, customer delivery, and regulatory certification.
- Ensure all verification activities comply with organizational engineering processes, quality standards, and governance requirements.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives for verification methodologies, automation, and testing best practices.
Education & Experience
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 8–12 years of engineering experience supporting complex communications, networking, aerospace, or telecommunications systems.
- Minimum 3 years of technical leadership or engineering management experience.
- Experience managing teams of engineering professionals.
- Proven success delivering large-scale system integration, verification, and validation programs.
- Strong understanding of communication networks, distributed systems, and end-to-end system integration.
Preferred
- Experience with satellite communications, aerospace systems, broadband networking, or mission-critical communication platforms.
- Background in RF engineering, payload integration, modem development, networking, or communication system testing.
- Experience supporting operational readiness, deployment, commissioning, or production releases.
Technical Skills
The Ideal Candidate Will Have Experience With
- System Integration & Verification
- End-to-End Communication Systems Testing
- Verification & Validation (V&V)
- Requirements Traceability
- Test Automation
- Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing
- Laboratory & Simulation Environments
- Network Performance Testing
- Communication Protocol Validation
- RF Communications
- Distributed Systems
- Performance Analysis
- Reliability Engineering
- Defect Management & Root Cause Analysis
- Systems Engineering Processes
- Supplier Qualification & Technical Management
Leadership Competencies
- Strong technical leadership and engineering decision-making.
- Excellent analytical and systems-thinking capabilities.
- Outstanding planning, execution, and program delivery skills.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in complex technical environments.
- Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
- Proven mentoring, coaching, and people development abilities.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business and operational outcomes.
Preferred Industry Experience
Candidates with experience in one or more of the following industries are encouraged to apply:
- Satellite Communications
- Aerospace & Space Systems
- Telecommunications
- Broadband Networking
- Wireless Communications
- Defense & Secure Communications
- Networking Equipment
- Systems Integration
- High-Reliability Mission-Critical Systems
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