C4I Systems and Communications / TDL Architect

C4I Systems and Communications / TDL Architect Number of positions: 2 Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Contract: Initial 12-month assignment, with potential extension of up to four further years Salary: USD 100,000 to USD 120,000 base salary per annum, dependent on experience Additional package: Accommodation, visa and Iqama sponsorship, mobilisation and rotation flights, medical insurance and local transport Anticipated start: October 2026 The Opportunity VETWORK is supporting a specialist defence advisory programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is seeking two experienced C4I Systems and Communications / Tactical Datalink Architects. The successful candidates will join a client-side programmes team supporting a portfolio of defence capability acquisition and modernisation projects. These roles will provide broad architectural expertise across C4I systems, tactical communications and tactical datalinks. You will support the development of coherent systems-of-systems architectures, translating operational concepts into implementable technical capabilities, requirement sets and procurement packages. The position requires a strong understanding of defence architecture, platform integration and acquisition support across land, maritime and air domains. Key Responsibilities Engage with military, programme and technical stakeholders to understand operational concepts, capability needs and constraints. Translate operational requirements into coherent systems and technical architectures. Develop and review architecture options across C4I, tactical communications and tactical datalink capabilities. Support systems-of-systems architecture development across multiple related programmes. Define system boundaries, external dependencies, interfaces and information exchanges. Develop and maintain logical and physical architecture views. Produce and review network, communications and information-exchange architectures. Apply NAF, DoDAF or equivalent defence architecture frameworks. Support integration across land, maritime and airborne platforms. Ensure system requirements remain coherent and traceable to the agreed architecture. Identify architecture gaps, interface dependencies and integration risks. Conduct options analysis, trade studies and technical assessments. Support the development of Statements of Work, technical specifications and architecture-related evaluation criteria. Contribute to RFI, RFP and RFQ documentation. Review vendor, OEM and systems-integrator architectures. Support technical proposal evaluation, structured scoring and down-selection. Participate in architecture reviews, design reviews, risk assessments and technical governance. Maintain coherence across several concurrent projects and capability workstreams. Required Experience Approximately 7 to 10 years of relevant experience in defence C4I, tactical communications or tactical datalink systems architecture. Demonstrable experience developing systems or systems-of-systems architectures within defence environments. Strong understanding of C4I, C2, tactical communications and deployed network capabilities. Experience translating operational concepts and user needs into technical architectures and requirement sets. Broad understanding of system and platform architectures across land, maritime or airborne domains. Experience defining system boundaries, interfaces, external dependencies and information exchanges. Strong understanding of tactical and deployed network architectures, including: IP networking transmission systems tactical radio bearers SATCOM or beyond-line-of-sight communications bearer diversity network resilience Experience applying NAF, DoDAF, MODAF or comparable architecture frameworks. Experience developing logical, physical, operational and system architecture views. Familiarity with architecture modelling tools and model-based approaches. Experience supporting defence acquisition, options analysis and technical evaluation. Strong technical writing skills, particularly in relation to architectures, requirements, Statements of Work and evaluation reports. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary programmes team. Fluent written and spoken English. Desirable Experience Experience with tactical datalinks such as Link 16, Link 22, VMF or comparable standards. Knowledge of Software Defined Radio systems, waveforms, interoperability and tactical radio networks. Experience with C4I software systems, battle-management systems and military data standards. Exposure to MBSE and model-based architecture development. Experience developing capability roadmaps or enterprise-level defence architectures. Previous experience working within the GCC or wider Middle East. Experience advising ministries of defence, armed forces or government acquisition organisations. Arabic language capability. Current or previous defence security clearance. Candidate Profile This role is best suited to a genuine defence systems architect with broad technical understanding across C4I, communications, networks and platform integration. It is not intended for candidates whose experience is limited to operating, maintaining or training users on military communications equipment. Strong candidates will be able to demonstrate formal architecture development, systems-of-systems thinking, interface definition and acquisition support. You should be comfortable working with operational users, systems engineers, programme teams, OEMs, systems integrators and senior client stakeholders. Mandatory Qualifications and Experience Minimum 7 years’ relevant experience in defence systems architecture within C4I, C2, tactical communications or tactical datalink environments. Demonstrable experience developing system or systems-of-systems architectures. Proven experience using NAF, DoDAF, MODAF or a comparable defence architecture framework. Experience developing logical, physical, operational and interface architecture views. Strong understanding of tactical networks, deployed communications and platform integration. Experience translating operational concepts into technical architectures and requirements. Experience supporting defence acquisition, technical evaluation or options analysis. Experience producing technical architecture documentation, specifications or Statements of Work. Excellent written and spoken English. Eligible for KSA employment sponsorship and able to meet all client vetting requirements. Desirable Qualifications Degree or equivalent professional qualification in systems engineering, communications engineering, electronic engineering, computer science or a related technical discipline. INCOSE, Chartered Engineer, IET, BCS or equivalent professional accreditation. Formal training or certification in NAF, DoDAF, MODAF, TOGAF or MBSE. Current or previous defence security clearance. Eligibility and Mobility Candidates must: be willing and able to relocate to Riyadh be eligible for KSA employment sponsorship and an Iqama be able to satisfy all client security, background and vetting requirements be available to mobilise within approximately four weeks of a confirmed offer Application Process Please apply with an up-to-date CV clearly demonstrating experience in: C4I or tactical communications architecture systems-of-systems design NAF, DoDAF, MODAF or equivalent frameworks tactical and deployed network architecture interface and information-exchange definition land, maritime or airborne platform integration requirements engineering and traceability defence acquisition support technical specifications and Statements of Work vendor or systems-integrator technical evaluation Applications that do not demonstrate formal defence systems-architecture experience are unlikely to progress.