Tactical Data Link (TDL) Subject Matter Expert

Job summary

Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise for the design, integration, testing, and modernization of tactical data link and defence communication systems. Guide architecture and requirements decisions, support interoperability and verification activities, advise customers and project leadership, and mentor technical team members.

Job details

Introduction A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You'll work with leading companies across industries, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys. With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you'll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You'll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results. Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long-term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences. Your Role And Responsibilities We are seeking an experienced Tactical Data Link (TDL) Subject Matter Expert to support the design, development, integration, testing, and evolution of mission-critical defence communication systems. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership across the full system lifecycle, with particular focus on Link-16, Link-22, JREAP, interoperability standards, and tactical command and control systems. You will work closely with systems engineers, software engineers, and technical leadership to ensure applications remain understandable, evolvable, and verifiable, while acting as a mentor and collaborator with developers and team members at various levels. Preferred Education Bachelor's Degree Required Technical And Professional Expertise Pre Requests Pre Requirements Government of Canada Security Clearance is a requirement for this role. You must be eligible to obtain Secret, NATO and Controlled Goods Clearances Must be either a Canadian Citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident Must have resided in Canada for a minimum of 10 consecutive years, without leaving Canada (for any reason) for more than 30 days at a time OR traveling abroad to any non-NATO countries for any period Must have a clean criminal and credit history This role involves examination, possession or transfer of controlled goods and technology as defined under the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and ITAR data/technology. To be eligible for employment in this role, you must be a Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident. Canadian citizens and permanent residents must be security assessed under the Canadian controlled goods program. If you hold dual or third nationality, in addition to being either a Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident the nationality must be from one of the following countries in order to be eligible for employment in this role: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, United States of America. All applicants will also be required to undergo an additional security assessment conducted by an IBM designated Controlled Goods Program official as a condition of employment. This role is onsite in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada only. Key Responsibilities Act as the primary Tactical Data Link (TDL) Subject Matter Expert for development, support, and modernization programs. Act as a trusted advisor to project leadership and customers. Provide technical guidance on Link-16, Link-22, JREAP, and related tactical communications. Interpret and apply NATO STANAGs, interoperability requirements, and military communications standards. Support operational analysis, capability assessments, and customer technical discussions. Develop and review system architectures, interface designs, data flows, and integration strategies. Translate operational requirements into technical solutions and software requirements. Evaluate impacts of new capabilities, standards updates, and platform integrations. Support architecture governance and technical decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Lead requirements analysis, decomposition, traceability, and verification activities. Provide leadership to mentor and guide developers and team members across varying experience levels to foster technical growth and architectural understanding. Ensure designs meet security standards and comply with regulatory and standards requirements relevant to high-assurance environments (e.g., NIST guidelines) Assess technical investigations, cost-benefit trade-offs, and impact analysis for architectural changes to ensure informed decision-making. Assist in business development, solution costing, and technical bid responses. Required Qualifications Military or defence sector experience. Experience with Tactical Data Link environments. Experience with technical leadership. Preferred Technical And Professional Experience Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience. Experience supporting system integration, verification, validation, and acceptance testing. Experience guiding teams through refactoring and architectural recovery. Interest in architectural modelling, system behaviour, and correctness. Experience in model-based system engineering

What you’ll do

Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise for the design, integration, testing, and modernization of tactical data link and defence communication systems. Guide architecture and requirements decisions, support interoperability and verification activities, advise customers and project leadership, and mentor technical team members.

Requirements

Requires military or defence sector experience, experience in tactical data link environments, and technical leadership experience. A bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or computer science field or equivalent experience is preferred; candidates must also meet Canadian residency, security clearance, and controlled goods eligibility requirements.

Listed skills

• Technical · Preferred
• Leadership · Preferred
• Integration · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Development · Preferred
• analysis · Preferred
• Software · Preferred
• Client · Preferred
• Resident · Preferred
• assessment · Preferred
• Assurance · Preferred
• Business development · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Tactical Data Links
• Link-16
• Link-22
• JREAP
• NATO STANAGs
• Interoperability Standards
• Tactical Communications
• Systems Architecture
• Requirements Analysis
• Requirements Traceability
• System Integration
• Verification and Validation
• Technical Leadership
• Model-Based Systems Engineering
• Security Standards
• Military Command and Control Systems

Job areas

• Engineering
• Technology
• Government & Public Sector
• Security & Safety
• Consulting

More jobs from IBM