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Metrea

Airborne SIGINT SME

Washington, DC · On-site

Company Overview Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure ...

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How much do airborne security jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for airborne security in the United States is $16.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are airborne security personnel?

Airborne security personnel, often referred to as air marshals or in-flight security officers, are specially trained individuals responsible for ensuring the safety and security of passengers and crew on commercial flights. Their main duties include preventing and responding to potential threats such as hijackings, terrorism, or other criminal activities during flights. They work undercover, blending in with passengers while remaining vigilant for suspicious behavior. Airborne security personnel are trained in crisis management, self-defense, and firearm use, and collaborate closely with airline staff to maintain a secure environment in the skies.

What is the difference between Airborne Security vs Security Guard?

AspectAirborne SecuritySecurity Guard
CertificationsSecurity license, specialized training in aerial securitySecurity license, basic security training
Work EnvironmentAirports, airfields, or aerial security settingsBuildings, events, or premises security
Employer & IndustrySecurity firms, transportation, aviation industryVarious industries including retail, corporate, events

Airborne Security professionals focus on security in aerial environments, requiring specialized training and certifications, while Security Guards typically work on ground-level premises with standard security training. Both roles are essential in the security industry but differ mainly in work environment and specific skill requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Airborne Security Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Airborne Security Officer, you need a background in law enforcement or military service, strong situational awareness, and relevant security certifications. Familiarity with aviation security protocols, surveillance equipment, and communication systems is typically required. Excellent judgment, calmness under pressure, and strong interpersonal skills help you handle emergencies and interact with passengers and crew. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining safety, preventing threats, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations during flights.

What are the main challenges faced by Airborne Security professionals during in-flight operations?

Airborne Security professionals often face the challenge of maintaining vigilance in a confined and dynamic environment while balancing customer service with security protocols. They must be prepared to quickly assess and respond to potential threats, including disruptive passengers or suspicious behavior, all while working discreetly to avoid alarming travelers. Collaboration with flight crew and other security personnel is critical, requiring excellent communication skills and the ability to make rapid decisions under pressure. Additionally, adapting to irregular schedules and varied flight routes is a common aspect of the role.
More about Airborne Security jobs
What job categories do people searching Airborne Security jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Airborne Security jobs are:
Infographic showing various Airborne Security job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,147 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Airborne SIGINT SME

Metrea

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Company Overview
Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refuelling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.
Our operating model is built around three interlocking pillars. The Support Groups provide a global shared-service - spanning people, finance, platform, operations, legal, and engagement. This frees up our Core Groups, who develop and own mission capabilities end-to-end, to focus entirely on delivery. The Market Groups apply a regional lens, ensuring that our agile and adaptable capabilities remain aligned to the wicked problems that matter most to our partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
At the heart of our model is a simple but powerful idea: be a true partner with skin in the game. Our partners need effects, not just equipment. By owning the full stack - from the lab to the field - we are able to drive a continuous cycle of innovation that keeps our partners ahead. It's a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment where talented people are given real responsibility, work on problems that matter, and contribute to an enterprise that is growing quickly and deliberately.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Group Overview
Electromagnetic and Cyber Group (EM&C) is responsible for developing flexible and survivable advanced electronic warfare and secure communications equipment while providing the industry's leading signals intelligence, electronic warfare, and cyber experts. Metrea specializes in signal classification, direction finding, advanced geolocation techniques, and waveform development including waveforms for MANET and LPI/LPD applications. Metrea also develops special purpose radios for government customers and licenses DF and geolocation solutions to multiple OEMs.
Position Summary
This role is primarily responsible for providing Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) expertise and operation-al support to U.S. government missions overseas. The Airborne SIGINT Operator (SME) serves as a key liaison for airborne ISR operations, integrating across airborne platforms, ground elements, and national-level resources to support mission planning, execution, and optimization. Additional responsibilities may include serving as a SIGINT systems maintainer, airborne operator, liaison officer, collection manager, and instructor on SIGINT and Electronic Warfare (EW) technologies, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). When not deployed, this role may also support MSO training and exercise events, including classroom instruction, on a voluntary basis.
What You'll Do
  • Conduct 90-day rotational deployments ensuring consistent delivery and operational excellence across various regional sites
  • Serve as a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) SME and liaison supporting airborne ISR operations for U.S. government missions, advising on SCONOPS, mission planning, and SI/EW tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
  • Provide mission integration support between airborne ISR platforms, ground elements, and national/theater-level resources
  • Install, configure, and maintain airborne SIGINT mission systems, including RF receivers, transmitters, processors, antennas, and associated cabling
  • Perform pre-mission system checks, field-level troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance to ensure mission readiness
  • 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
  • Ensure compliance with safety, airworthiness, and operational security protocols during all maintenance and system support activities
  • Deliver technical and operational expertise to enhance SIGINT collection, analysis, and mission effectiveness in dynamic environments
  • Advise, mentor, and train personnel on SIGINT/EW systems, capabilities, and operational employment
  • Maintain proficiency in current and emerging SIGINT/EW technologies, systems, and TTPs
  • Support CONUS-based classroom and exercise-based instruction on RF theory, communications technologies, airborne ISR/SIGINT operations, and advanced TTPs on a volunteer basis
What You Bring
  • SME-level expertise in Signals Intelligence operations, systems, and TTPs
  • Experience coordinating airborne ISR/SIGINT missions and interfacing with national-level resources
  • Experience conducting airborne SIGINT operations on ISR platforms is advantageous
  • Comfortable operating across both airborne and ground-based roles as mission requirements evolve
  • Strong technical foundation in RF theory, Linux, networking, antenna employment, and relevant protocols (HF/VHF/UHF, DMR, GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE, 802.11)
  • Familiarity with U.S. GOTS airborne SIGINT systems and their operational employment
  • Ability to integrate emerging technologies into operational use
  • Strong initiative and ability to operate independently in deployed or austere environments
  • Effective communication skills, including the ability to advise senior stakeholders and serve as a liaison across organizations
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
  • Minimum 10 years of Signals Intelligence experience, including 180+ days of deployed operational SIGINT support
  • Prior active-duty U.S. military service with Honorable Discharge (DD214 required)
  • Demonstrated experience coordinating airborne ISR/SIGINT missions and working with national-level assets
  • Deep operational proficiency with advanced RF collection systems (e.g., SCEPTRE, DRT, LANShark, Spectrum Guard), including configuration, tuning, and failure diagnosis
  • LINUX fundamentals training
  • Security+ or equivalent certification
  • Mode 1/2/3/5/6 airborne operator certifications (preferred)
  • Mode Instructor or I/E certifications (preferred)
  • FCC Amateur Radio Technician License

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
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Clearance required at time of hire: Active TS clearance with eligibility to obtain a TS/SCI clearance is required at time of hire, and the ability to maintain it throughout employment. Candidates will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with federal requirements
  • Position may require passing a government-administered background check
  • Employment is contingent on meeting all clearance and adjudication requirements
AAP/EEO Statement
Metrea Spectrum Operations LLC 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
The daily working hours for this position vary Monday through Sunday. Hours and work shifts may vary in accordance with business needs. This role will be scheduled to forward deploy/work approximately 90 days OCONUS followed by rotation off-site for approximately 90 days. Rotation schedule may be adjusted to meet program requirements.
Work Environment
  • Various locations OCOUNS
  • This role operates in an environment that varies from a clerical, office setting using standard office equipment to austere settings with various weather and temperature conditions to include extreme heat, humidity and cold
Travel
Travel requirements are 50% - OCONUS deployment.
Our Firmware
At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are 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.

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