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Airborne Radar Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WGS SYSTEMS LLC

Flight Test Engineer

Hagerstown, MD

$90K - $140K/yr

... airborne sensor testing. Operating out of a converted business jet, you will be the in the seat ... Familiarity with the theory and operation of Radar (SAR/GMTI), EO/IR sensors, and/or SIGINT systems.

WGS SYSTEMS LLC

Flight Test Engineer

Hagerstown, MD

$90K - $140K/yr

... airborne sensor testing. Operating out of a converted business jet, you will be the in the seat ... Familiarity with the theory and operation of Radar (SAR/GMTI), EO/IR sensors, and/or SIGINT systems.

WGS SYSTEMS LLC

Flight Test Engineer

Hagerstown, MD

$90K - $140K/yr

... airborne sensor testing. Operating out of a converted business jet, you will be the in the seat ... Familiarity with the theory and operation of Radar (SAR/GMTI), EO/IR sensors, and/or SIGINT systems.

U.S. Army

Army Infantryman (11X)

Staunton, VA · On-site

$50K/yr

Special Forces, Airborne School, Ranger School, Sniper School, and Pathfinder School. Job Duties: * Defend the country against any threat by land * Capture, destroy and repel enemy ground forces ...

C Speed LLC

Laborer

Marfa, TX

$17.25 - $21/hr

... Radar System (TARS) program. The TARS program leverages aerostat systems to provide persistent ... Ability to obtain flight operator certification * Must be able to understand, speak, read, and ...

C Speed LLC

Laborer

Marfa, TX · On-site

$17.25 - $21/hr

... Radar System (TARS) program. The TARS program leverages aerostat systems to provide persistent ... PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Prior Aerostat Operator experience of any size Aerostat. COMPENSATION ...

C Speed LLC

Laborer

Marfa, TX · On-site

$17.25 - $21/hr

... Radar System (TARS) program. The TARS program leverages aerostat systems to provide persistent ... PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Prior Aerostat Operator experience of any size Aerostat. COMPENSATION ...

U.S. Navy

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

Pensacola, FL

Interpreting data shown on radar screens to plot aircraft positions * Operating tactical weapons ... You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments--from airborne aircraft to ...

U.S. Navy

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

Harrisonburg, VA

Interpreting data shown on radar screens to plot aircraft positions * Operating tactical weapons ... You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments--from airborne aircraft to ...

U.S. Navy

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

Bozeman, MT

Interpreting data shown on radar screens to plot aircraft positions * Operating tactical weapons ... You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments--from airborne aircraft to ...

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How much do airborne radar operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for airborne radar operator in the United States is $24.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $30.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Airborne Radar Operator job?

An Airborne Radar Operator is responsible for monitoring and interpreting radar systems on aircraft to detect, track, and analyze objects, weather patterns, or potential threats. They work in military, law enforcement, or civilian aviation settings to support missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue operations. Their duties include operating radar equipment, analyzing radar data, and communicating findings to the flight crew or command centers. This role requires specialized training, strong situational awareness, and the ability to work in high-pressure environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Airborne Radar Operator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Airborne Radar Operator, you need a solid understanding of radar systems, spatial awareness, and typically a background in aviation or military training. Proficiency with advanced radar consoles, navigation software, and often security clearances or military certifications are required. Attention to detail, quick decision-making, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this role. These abilities are vital for ensuring accurate detection, communication, and mission success in high-pressure, dynamic airborne environments.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

Airborne Radar Operators typically do not earn $300,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive, medical, legal, or specialized technical roles. High-paying jobs in the military or defense industry, including certain senior positions or contractors with advanced skills and security clearances, can reach or exceed this level. Achieving this salary often requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership responsibilities.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

An Airborne Radar Operator can earn around $10,000 per month through military service or specialized defense contractor roles, often requiring technical training, security clearances, and experience with radar systems. These positions typically do not require a college degree but do demand specialized skills and certifications. High-paying roles in this field are usually found in government or defense sectors with strict qualification standards.

What does a typical workday look like for an Airborne Radar Operator?

A typical workday for an Airborne Radar Operator involves operating radar and surveillance equipment onboard aircraft, monitoring airspace or ground activity, and communicating critical findings to pilots and mission teams. Operators analyze real-time radar data, coordinate with aircrew, and may participate in pre-flight briefings and post-mission debriefs. The role demands close collaboration with both flight and mission personnel, often during long or irregular hours, depending on operations. This environment is dynamic and requires adaptability as missions and assignments may frequently change on short notice.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

Airborne Radar Operators typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are usually associated with executive roles, specialized surgeons, or successful entrepreneurs. Highly experienced professionals in certain fields like investment banking or tech may reach this level, but it is uncommon for military or technical roles like radar operators. Achieving this income often requires advanced skills, certifications, and leadership positions.

How to become a radar operator?

To become an airborne radar operator, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training in radar systems and aviation operations. Military roles often require basic security clearance and completion of technical training programs, while civilian positions may require certifications in radar technology and relevant experience with electronic systems.
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Airborne Radar Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Airborne Radar Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Full Time, 84% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,869 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

Software Engineer (Radar R&D and Production Focused)

CHAOS Industries

Hawthorne, CA

$120K - $170K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with omniscient systems purpose-built for today's realities. Designed and built by top U.S. military veterans and Silicon Valley innovators, CHAOS Industries' products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats. In a world where technological threats move at unprecedented speed, CHAOS Industries delivers advanced sensing and detection solutions that give the ultimate advantage: time.
CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised $1B in total funding from leading investors including 8VC, Accel, and NEA. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.
Role Overview:
CHAOS is seeking a highly-skilled and motivated Mid-career Radar Software Engineer to join our team supporting our R&D and product engineering initially focusing on our next-generation radar products. This is a highly collaborative role which will allow you to work on multiple capabilities within our product offerings. As a member of our engineering team, you also have the opportunity to expand your skillset across our product families.
Responsibilities:

  • Research & Development (R&D) and Production software development for our next-generation radar products
  • Support system integration of software on hardware (mostly commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware)
  • Support deployed software capabilities in the hands of our U.S. and international customers
  • Work full-time on-site in our office in Los Angeles (Hawthorne), California
Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor's or higher Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related degree
  • 5+ years of experience in professional, object-oriented software development
  • Extensive/advanced Python experience
  • Experience with Agile lifecycle processes including Scrum, Continuous Integration, and Test-Driven Development Methodologies
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and collaborate on small teams
  • Solid understanding and extensive experience in software development using Linux
  • U.S. Person status is required as this position will require the ability to access U.S.-only data systems
Preferred Requirements:
  • Development experience in Ground or Airborne Sensors (Radars, EO/IR, EW, etc.)
  • Experience designing & implementing radar modes & algorithms, signal processing, target detection, and tracking
  • Current or previous DoD security clearance
  • Experience with Networks (software and hardware)
  • Experience with CUDA
  • Experience with Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) (e.g. Ettus)
  • Experience with advanced Time Synchronization technologies beyond NTP
  • Experience developing near-real-time, embedded SW
  • Experience with git
  • Experience with Containers (e.g. Docker, Podman, etc.)
  • Familiarity with cloud computing and virtualization technologies (e.g. WSL, KVM, Hyper-V, VMware)
  • Experience with BIOS, Secure Boot, TPM, Network Boot, PXE
  • Experience with HW & SW drive encryption (e.g. LUKS, OPAL, etc)
  • Experience with 2D and 3D Visualization ideally in defense use cases (e.g. SIMDIS)
  • Experience with DoD & related System/SW Architectures and messaging standards (e.g. OMS, SOSA, Link-16, etc)
  • Experience with Modeling & Simulation, including hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop testbeds (e.g. DIS, VR-Forces, AFSIM)
  • Experience with production-level SW development & deployment, including DevOps, DevSecOps, and/or Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) using modern FOSS/COTS toolsets.
  • Experience with full lifecycle SW development of high-TRL systems
  • Experience with HW/SW I&T and V&V of high-TRL systems
  • Experience with additional languages such as C++, Rust, NodeJS, Java, Go, etc.
Why CHAOS?
  • Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
  • Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
  • Our Perks: Free daily lunch, 'No meeting Fridays', unlimited PTO, casual dress code
  • Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
  • Team Growth: 200 employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $120,000 - $170,000
The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.
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