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Airborne Sensor Operator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

... sensor assets and controls the execution HB signal Planning & Direction, Collection, Processing ... airborne High Band System SW sensors • Provide system administration for High Band System SW ...

... sensor systems to add national security capabilities, particularly in the areas of airborne/surface ... Familiarity with multi-threaded or multi-core real-time operating concepts * Knowledge of high ...

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Airborne Sensor Operator information

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$23.3K

$63.9K

$151.7K

How much do airborne sensor operator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for airborne sensor operator in Virginia is $63,885.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,011.00 and $97,739.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the airborne sensor operator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Airborne Sensor Operator, you need strong technical aptitude, attention to detail, and typically a background in aviation, military operations, or geospatial sciences. Proficiency with sensor systems such as LiDAR, radar, electro-optical/infrared cameras, and relevant software platforms is commonly required, along with certifications such as an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for UAV operations. Excellent teamwork, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills help individuals excel in fast-paced, mission-driven environments. These competencies ensure precise data collection and analysis while maintaining safety and effective collaboration during airborne missions.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an airborne sensor operator?

As an Airborne Sensor Operator, your daily responsibilities often include planning and preparing sensor equipment before flights, operating and monitoring airborne sensors to collect data, and ensuring the accuracy and quality of the gathered information. You may work closely with pilots, mission coordinators, and data analysts to achieve mission objectives, regularly reviewing and calibrating sensor performance as needed. Post-flight, you are usually involved in initial data processing and reporting, identifying and troubleshooting any equipment or data issues. This role typically involves varying schedules and adaptability to changing mission parameters, making strong organizational skills essential for success.

What is an airborne sensor operator?

An Airborne Sensor Operator is responsible for operating and maintaining specialized sensors and imaging equipment on aircraft to collect data for various purposes, such as mapping, surveillance, or scientific research. They work closely with pilots and mission planners to ensure accurate data capture. This role requires technical expertise in sensor systems, navigation, and data processing. Operators may work for government agencies, military units, research organizations, or private companies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Airborne Sensor Operator jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Airborne Sensor Operator jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Airborne Sensor Operator jobs in Virginia? For Airborne Sensor Operator jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Airborne Sensor Operator jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Airborne Sensor Operator jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Airborne Sensor Operator jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Airborne Sensor Operator job openings:
Infographic showing various Airborne Sensor Operator job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,885 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Trident Systems LLC

Fairfax, VA • On-site

$120K - $222K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Principal Software Engineer

Requisition ID: 1801

Position Location: Fairfax, VA

Position Reports To: Program Manager

Supervises Others: No


Trident has built a reputation as a trusted provider of aerospace and defense electronics & processing systems including digital RF & Optical command and control solutions and atmospheric & airborne sensors. Our three operating units: Space Electronic Systems (SES), Integrated C4ISR Systems (ICS) and Optical Precision Systems (OPS), develop within the agile framework which enables us to produce proven, purpose-built systems that solve our customers’ mission critical challenges across space, air, land, and sea.

Trident’s Integrated C4ISR Systems (ICS) specializes in products and services which improve the safety and survivability of our armed forces. We develop solutions for a wide range of demanding missions and environments, including tactical communications systems for multi-national interoperability, autonomous predictive maintenance and logistics solutions, and scalable, responsive, all-domain surveillance systems. Trident's integrated systems support the protection of the National Capital Region and various military installations both domestic and abroad. We can deliver innovative, high-performance solutions that meet our customers' evolving requirements by integrating our specialized knowledge in electronic systems with appropriately scaled development methodologies.

Position Summary

This position will be part of a team responsible for software design and development for Predictive Maintenance & Logistics (PM&L) projects and other internal software development efforts within the ICS Business Unit. The Principal Software Engineer will design, implement, and test software that supports data manipulation and storage, translation, sensor data capture and transmission, export of data to multiple platforms, conversion to standardized messaging formats, and graphical user interface design. The role requires development predominantly in python on Linux systems, including interaction between processors, external devices, external software interfaces, and networked systems. The employee will work as part of a fast-paced engineering team, support technical demonstrations and test events, and document development efforts through design documentation, interface control documents, user manuals, and test plans.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Design, implement, and test custom software for condition-based maintenance and other internal projects.
  • Develop software for data manipulation, storage, translation, sensor data capture, sensor data transmission, and export to different platforms.
  • Convert and integrate data into standardized messaging formats and external software interfaces.
  • Build and maintain software interfaces to databases, APIs, file-based data sources, message brokers, and external applications.
  • Implement algorithms in software for data manipulation, analysis, and presentation.
  • Develop software that operates in conjunction with external and embedded hardware/software across Linux, Windows, and Android environments.
  • Document development efforts through design documentation, interface control documents, user manuals, and test plans.
  • Support software packaging, deployment, configuration management, and troubleshooting in lab, field, and customer environments.
  • Support technical test events, demonstrations, and customer-facing engineering activities as part of a fast-paced team.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or equivalent and a minimum of 9 years of related experience working in an agile environment OR 7 years with a graduate degree (or 13 total years in lieu of a degree).
  • Experience with Python software development.
  • Experience developing maintainable production-quality software, including modular design, error handling, logging, configuration management, and unit/integration testing.
  • Experience with Python libraries and frameworks for data processing, automation, APIs, and/or application development.
  • Experience working in Linux and Windows development environments.
  • Experience with data formats and interfaces such as JSON, CSV, XML, REST APIs, sockets, message queues, or similar mechanisms.
  • Experience with databases and data storage technologies such as PostgreSQL, SQLite, InfluxDB, object storage, or similar systems.
  • Experience with software revision control systems such as Git, SVN, or similar tools.
  • Ability to troubleshoot software issues across applications, operating systems, networks, and external system interfaces.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with condition-based maintenance, predictive maintenance, vehicle health management, telemetry, sensor data, or diagnostic systems.
  • Experience with data analytics, signal processing, machine learning, or algorithm implementation in Python.
  • Experience with Python web or API frameworks such as Flask, FastAPI, Django, Dash, or similar tools.
  • Experience with embedded Linux, edge-compute devices, or software interaction with embedded/external hardware.
  • Experience with containerization, deployment, and DevOps tools such as Docker, CI/CD pipelines, or automated build systems.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical work clearly.
  • Strong team orientation and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced engineering environment.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $120,000 - $222,000
Please Note: Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

  • Health benefits
    • Medical
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Basic life with AD&D
    • Short term disability
    • Long term disability
    • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
    • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
  • Paid time off
  • Holidays
  • 401(k) (including automatic company contribution)
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Leaves (Parental, pregnancy, and military)
  • Potential annual bonus

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Trident Systems is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruiting@tridsys.com.

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)