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Personnel Recovery Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

Systems Engineer Sr Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site

SAIC is seeking a highly experienced candidate with extensive knowledge of Personnel Recovery (PR) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, national SIGINT and GEOINT systems, tactical ...

SAIC

Systems Engineer Sr Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site

SAIC is seeking a highly experienced candidate with extensive knowledge of Personnel Recovery (PR) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, national SIGINT and GEOINT systems, tactical ...

SAIC

Systems Engineer Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site

SAIC is seeking a highly experienced candidate with extensive knowledge of Personnel Recovery (PR) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, national SIGINT and GEOINT systems, tactical ...

SAIC

Systems Engineer Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site

SAIC is seeking a highly experienced candidate with extensive knowledge of Personnel Recovery (PR) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, national SIGINT and GEOINT systems, tactical ...

SAIC

Systems Engineer Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site

SAIC is seeking a highly experienced candidate with extensive knowledge of Personnel Recovery (PR) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, national SIGINT and GEOINT systems, tactical ...

Oak Grove Technologies LLC

This will be accomplished through Personnel Recovery (PR) and SERE training and education at Camp Lejeune, NC. Position requires an active SECERT clearance. Oak Grove Technologies is a Service ...

Lukos

Senior Personnel Analyst

Tampa, FL

$83K - $110K/yr

The ideal candidate will be available for travel on less than 24 hours-notice to support personnel recovery and training for forward deployed forces. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to ...

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Personnel Recovery information

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How much do personnel recovery jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for personnel recovery in the United States is $17.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Personnel Recovery vs Combat Search and Rescue?

AspectPersonnel RecoveryCombat Search and Rescue
Primary FocusRecovering isolated personnel in various scenariosRescuing personnel in combat or hostile environments
Work EnvironmentMilitary, government, or specialized agencies in diverse settingsMilitary combat zones, hostile territories
Required CertificationsMilitary training, survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE)Military rescue, combat tactics, survival training
Employer/Industry UsageDefense, military, government agenciesMilitary special operations, combat units

Personnel Recovery and Combat Search and Rescue both involve rescuing personnel, but Personnel Recovery has a broader scope, including recovery in non-combat scenarios, while Combat Search and Rescue specifically targets rescue operations in combat zones. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and training requirements in military and defense sectors.

What are some common challenges faced by Personnel Recovery specialists in coordinating rescue operations?

Personnel Recovery specialists often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing environments, limited intelligence on the location and condition of isolated personnel, and the need to coordinate among multiple agencies and international partners. Effective communication and adaptability are crucial, as situations can evolve quickly and require immediate response. Working closely with military units, intelligence teams, and diplomatic channels is essential to ensure successful recovery missions while minimizing risks to both the isolated personnel and rescue teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Personnel Recovery, and why are they important?

To thrive in Personnel Recovery, you need expertise in survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) techniques, risk assessment, and often a background in military or law enforcement, typically supported by specialized training and certifications. Familiarity with secure communications, GPS navigation systems, and intelligence-gathering tools is essential. Outstanding problem-solving, leadership, and stress management abilities set top performers apart in this field. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safe and effective recovery of personnel in hostile or high-risk environments.

What is personnel recovery?

Personnel recovery refers to the processes and actions taken to locate, recover, and return personnel who are isolated, missing, detained, or captured during military operations or emergencies. It involves coordinated efforts among military, government agencies, and sometimes civilian organizations to ensure the safety and return of affected individuals. Personnel recovery specialists plan, coordinate, and execute recovery missions, often under challenging and high-risk conditions. Their work is vital to maintaining morale and operational effectiveness within military forces.
More about Personnel Recovery jobs
What states have the most Personnel Recovery jobs? States with the most job openings for Personnel Recovery jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Personnel Recovery jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Personnel Recovery jobs are:
Personnel Recovery jobs near you
Infographic showing various Personnel Recovery job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,235 per year, or $17.9 per hour.
Systems Engineer Sr Principal

Systems Engineer Sr Principal

SAIC

Chantilly, VA • On-site

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

SAIC rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 78 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 203 rated it services

Job description

Job ID: 2612803
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-05-20
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Systems Engineer
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
Join a winning team! SAIC is seeking a highly experienced candidate with extensive knowledge of Personnel Recovery (PR) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, national SIGINT and GEOINT systems, tactical communications, and mission integration support. The ideal candidate will provide technical and operational expertise supporting the integration of national systems into PR-CSAR architectures and operational workflows.
This position requires a subject matter expert capable of supporting Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) development, interoperability efforts, operational testing, training, and systems integration activities supporting the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Security Agency (NSA), and external mission partners.
The selected candidate will make a direct impact supporting national-level PR-CSAR capabilities through operational expertise, technical analysis, customer engagement, and mission-focused systems integration efforts.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Develop and support Personnel Recovery / Combat Search and Rescue (PR-CSAR) CONOPS and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) utilizing national SIGINT and GEOINT systems.
Provide SIGINT and GEOINT Subject Matter Expertise (SME) supporting optimization and integration of national PR architectures with tactical communications and operational systems.
Support operational testing, analysis, exercises, and evaluations for PR-CSAR capabilities, including development of lessons learned and mission recommendations.
Provide technical support and documented input for PR-CSAR classification guides, message handling formats, TCPED processes, and associated operational documentation.
Conduct customer outreach, training, technical interchange meetings, and integration support activities with Government, military, and external mission partners.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and fourteen (14) years or more experience; master's degree and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience.
Must possess an active TS/SCI clearance with active/current Polygraph.
15+ years of experience supporting Personnel Recovery (PR), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), SIGINT, GEOINT, tactical communications, or related mission operations.
Demonstrated experience developing CONOPS/TTPs and integrating national systems with tactical communications and operational architectures.
Working knowledge of PR/CSAR systems and procedures including TCPED processes, FFT, BFT, survival radios, beacon devices, military messaging formats, and telecommunications/network architectures.
SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .

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