Airborne Isr Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: Senior ISR Systems Technician

Reports to: Chief Mission Systems Technician  

Legal Entity: MSA-ISR    

Group: Special Air Missions (SAM) Capability Area: Airworthiness - US

Level: FLSA Status: Exempt  

Work Arrangement: On-site 

Company Overview 

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas—including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special mission aviation, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation.  

Wherever we operate, we build vertically integrated full stacks of capability—designing, building, and operating turnkey solutions that let customers scale capacity while benefiting from continuous cycles of innovation. With operators and engineers under one roof, we close the gap between lab and field—what we call connecting design with effect.  Metrea’s solutions are built for elegance: effective, efficient, and evolving. This approach enables our partners to do more with less and achieve outsized, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.  Headquartered in Washington, DC, Metrea has facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. 

This role sits within the Special Air Missions group of Metrea.

Special Air Missions Group (SAM) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Special Mobility, and Aerial Firefighting (AFF) capabilities. SAM oversees the integration of new mission systems, ensuring operational readiness across specialized aviation operations. It manages fleet maintenance, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships to enhance mission effectiveness. By consolidating expertise and infrastructure, SAM ensures Metrea’s airborne capabilities remain adaptable and mission-ready across dynamic operational environments. 

Position Summary  

The Senior ISR Systems Technician is a technical specialist responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance, and lifecycle sustainment of airborne ISR mission systems. This role ensures continuous mission system readiness by performing hands-on troubleshooting, field-level repairs, and system validation. Working independently, the technician supports all aspects of mission equipment lifecycle management - including integration, software updates, and configuration control. This position is critical to delivering a reliable, high-performance ISR capability in support of real-world ISR operations.

What You’ll Do

• Install, configure, and maintain airborne ISR mission systems, including EO/IR sensor systems, tactical radios, mission computers, radar systems, data link systems, video networks, moving map software, and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) equipment.
• Perform pre-mission system checks, field-level troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance to ensure mission readiness.
• Perform Windows and Linux system administration tasks, including scripting, log analysis, patch management, and user account management.
• Operate and interpret data from test equipment including spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analyzers, and RF power meters to isolate faults and validate system performance.
• Configure and troubleshoot TCP/IP-based mission networks, including static routing, subnetting, VLAN tagging, and secure transport links.
• Diagnose and resolve faults across RF, power, and IP-based network interfaces using technical schematics, block diagrams, and support documentation.
• Conduct system software loads, firmware updates, and configuration management in accordance with program baselines and security requirements.
• Support integration and validation of new hardware or software packages in coordination with engineering and sustainment teams.
• Maintain proper handling and accountability of Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) and mission-critical Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) components.
• Ensure compliance with safety, airworthiness, and operational security protocols during all maintenance and system support activities.
• Provide detailed technical feedback and field reports to support root cause analysis, continuous improvement, and lifecycle sustainment planning.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support mission success, while leveraging clear written and verbal communication to articulate technical capabilities, limitations, support requirements, and areas for innovation.

What You’ll bring 

• Minimum 8 years supporting airborne ISR mission systems, with direct integration or modification experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of RF signal paths, IP networking concepts, and mission system interdependencies.
• Experience executing software loads, firmware updates, and configuration changes in controlled baseline environments.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and integration drawings.
• Proficient in RF test equipment usage (spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analyzers, & RF power meters).
• Strong working knowledge of radar fundamentals (GMTI, SAR, MMTI, Weather).

Additional Eligibility Qualifications  

• Master’s degree or 12 years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree plus 8 years of relevant experience.
• DoD 8140IAT Level 2 – IAM Level 1.
• Experience mentoring or leading small technical teams.
• Must be capable of operating independently with minimal oversight.
• Experience with configuration management principles and airworthiness approval processes.
• Demonstrated systems thinking and ability to evaluate second- and third-order impacts of decisions.
• Must demonstrate professional maturity, sound judgment, and leadership potential.

Our Firmware  

At Metrea, our single core value, Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes—Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.

Benefits  

• Comprehensive medical plan options
• HSA/FSA accounts
• Dental and vision coverage
• 6% employer 401(k) match
• Fully paid parental leave for all new parents
• Generous PTO
• Life and disability insurance
  Long-term and Short-term disability coverage
• AD&D Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsided gym membership / plans through Wellhub    

Work Authorization / Security Clearance  

 Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Clearance required at time of hire: Active TS/SCI clearance required at time of hire, and the ability to maintain it throughout employment.

AAP/EEO Statement  

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work  

This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on-call and available, as business needs require.

Work Location  

Metrea Aircraft Integration Center – Tampa, FL  

Work Environment  

This job operates in an office and hangar setting.

Travel  

Up to 15% OCONUS travel

Up to 15% CONUS travel