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Sensor Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Missile Defense Radar Operator

CA · On-site

$53.48/hr

The Missile Defense Radar Operator (MDRO) position is located at Beale, CA. Essential Duties and ... to meet sensor mission support requirements on 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week (24/7) basis.

Baler Operator

Fresno, CA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Equipment Operator (Baler Operator) Job Summary Mid Valley Disposal is seeking a skilled and safety ... Troubleshoot basic system, sensor, and control issues to reduce downtime * Identify abnormalities ...

Experience in synchronizing multi-modal sensor data. Solid understanding of Linux operating systems and development environments. Familiarity with ADAS features and their implementation in software.

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Sensor Operator information

What is a Sensor Operator?

A Sensor Operator is a specialized professional who operates and monitors sensor equipment, often on military aircraft such as drones or surveillance planes. Their main responsibility is to collect, analyze, and interpret data from various sensors, including radar, infrared, and video systems. Sensor Operators play a critical role in intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and targeting missions. They work closely with pilots and mission commanders to provide real-time information and ensure the success of missions. This role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.

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

A sensor operator typically does not earn $10,000 a month without specialized training or experience. High-paying roles in fields like sales, real estate, or entrepreneurship can reach that level without a degree, but most technical jobs, including sensor operation, require relevant skills or certifications. Achieving such income often involves advanced skills, experience, or working in high-demand industries.

What jobs pay $6,000 a month?

Sensor operators and similar technical roles can earn around $6,000 per month, especially with experience, certifications, and working in specialized environments such as manufacturing, security, or industrial settings. Salaries vary based on location, industry, and level of expertise, with higher pay often associated with overtime or shift work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sensor Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sensor Operator, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and an understanding of electronic and surveillance systems, often supported by specialized military or technical training. Familiarity with sensor platforms, data analysis software, GPS systems, and sometimes security clearance are typically required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills help operators relay critical information quickly and accurately. These abilities are vital for ensuring accurate data collection and mission success in high-stakes environments.

What Does a Sensor Operator Do?

A sensor operator is a fairly new position with the advent of unmanned aircraft and involves employing airborne sensors, either manually or with the help of a computer, to track and monitor various objects. The air force is one major employer for these types of defense positions. In this role, you assist with flight operations, debriefing, and planning missions. Your main task is to continually monitor these surveillance and weapon systems in a remote setting, ensuring each mission is successful. Other duties include detecting the correct targets using various forms of radar and video.

What is the difference between Sensor Operator vs Radar Technician?

AspectSensor OperatorRadar Technician
Required CredentialsTypically certifications in sensor systems or related fields, sometimes associate degreesCertifications in radar systems, electronics, or technical degrees
Work EnvironmentControl rooms, field sites, or industrial settingsMaintenance facilities, technical labs, or field service locations
Employer & Industry UsageMilitary, aerospace, security, industrial sectorsDefense, aerospace, transportation, and military sectors
Common Search & ComparisonSensor OperatorRadar Technician

Sensor Operators and Radar Technicians both work with radar and sensor systems, often in similar industries like defense and aerospace. Sensor Operators focus on monitoring and operating sensor equipment, while Radar Technicians specialize in maintaining and repairing radar systems. Both roles require technical certifications and are vital for system performance, but their daily tasks and focus areas differ.

How does a Sensor Operator typically collaborate with other team members during a mission?

Sensor Operators work closely with pilots, mission commanders, and intelligence analysts to ensure accurate data collection and mission success. During operations, they communicate real-time findings, relay critical information, and adjust sensor settings based on team feedback. This role requires strong teamwork, adaptability, and clear communication, as decisions made by the Sensor Operator often impact mission outcomes and safety. Effective collaboration is key to interpreting data correctly and responding quickly to evolving mission scenarios.

What do sensor operators do?

Sensor operators monitor and interpret data from various sensors and surveillance equipment to detect and track objects or activities. They often work in security, military, or industrial environments, using specialized tools and maintaining certifications to ensure accurate and timely responses.

How much does a sensor operator make?

Sensor operators typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require technical skills and certifications related to sensor systems and data analysis, and may work in environments such as manufacturing, security, or military operations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Sensor Operator jobs in California? The most popular types of Sensor Operator jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Sensor Operator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Sensor Operator jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Sensor Operator jobs? Cities in California with the most Sensor Operator job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Sensor Operator jobs in CA? For Sensor Operator jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Sensor Operator job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Internship, 72% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 7% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Sr. Software Engineer II, Sensor - Sensor Event Runtime (Hybrid)

Sr. Software Engineer II, Sensor - Sensor Event Runtime (Hybrid)

CrowdStrike

Sunnyvale, CA • Hybrid

$143K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

As a global leader in cybersecurity, CrowdStrike protects the people, processes and technologies that drive modern organizations. Since 2011, our mission hasn't changed - we're here to stop breaches, and we've redefined modern security with the world's most advanced AI-native platform. We work on large scale distributed systems, processing almost 3 trillion events per day and this traffic is growing daily. Our customers span all industries, and they count on CrowdStrike to keep their businesses running, their communities safe and their lives moving forward. We're also a mission-driven company. We cultivate a culture that gives every CrowdStriker both the flexibility and autonomy to own their careers. We're always looking to add talented CrowdStrikers to the team who have limitless passion, a relentless focus on innovation and a fanatical commitment to our customers, our community and each other. Ready to join a mission that matters? The future of cybersecurity starts with you.

About the Role:

We're building a welcoming & flexible team that prizes collaboration over competition, one which provides opportunities to learn new skills, mentor junior and senior developers and contribute to the direction of both the team & the products we're responsible for. This is a high trust environment where we allow team members to manage their own time, take holidays as they need it and reward them with competitive salaries and equity.

CrowdStrike is seeking a Senior Software Engineer II to join our Sensor Event Runtime (SER) team. This role is responsible for the design and implementation of high-performance software components in CrowdStrike's endpoint security solution - handling storage, correlation, filtering, rate limiting, and deduplication for event processing systems to ensure our customers are secure. You'll be designing and troubleshooting low-latency C and C++ code across Windows, Mac, and Linux, and your expertise in kernel mode development, concurrency primitives, and resource acquisition patterns will directly drive the performance of our event pipelines.

Location: This is a hybrid role based out of either our office in Sunnyvale, CA, Austin, TX or Redmond, WA with an expectation of being in the office twice a week.

What You'll Do:

  • Design, develop, and test high-performance, cross-platform C and C++ code for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate new features into the Falcon sensor.

  • Troubleshoot complex issues related to kernel mode development and low-latency systems.

  • Develop solutions that emphasize thread safety, resource efficiency, and low-latency performance.

  • Be an energetic self-starter with the ability to take ownership and be accountable for deliverables, both individually and when leading a team.

  • Deliver and accept feedback with grace and courtesy.

  • Focus on continual learning, raising the bar for both yourself and your teammates.

CrowdStrike is a computer security company, but we do not require candidates for this role to have prior security industry experience. We will mentor and train in security topics as needed. We do expect a strong interest in CrowdStrike's mission and a willingness to engage with the needs of our product teams and customers.

What You'll Need:

  • Proven track record of successfully delivering complex software projects.

  • Advanced C/C++ proficiency, including design patterns.

  • Kernel Mode Development:Demonstrated experience with kernel mode development on at least one platform (e.g., Windows, Linux).

  • Cross-Platform Development:Proficiency developing sophisticated software across multiple operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux), with expertise utilizing cross-platform libraries and build systems.

  • Process Management & IPC:In-depth understanding of process creation, synchronization, and communication mechanisms.

  • Concurrency Primitives & Resource Acquisition:Expertise in developing concurrent code using synchronization primitives and extensive experience with resource acquisition patterns (e.g., RAII, lock-free data structures).

  • Memory Management & Performance Optimization:Comprehensive knowledge of memory management techniques (paging, virtualization, etc.) and extensive experience with performance optimization techniques (profiling, caching, etc.).

  • A strong sense of ownership - your team owns the code and the future of these components.

Bonus Points:

  • Windows Kernel Experience:Deep experience developing kernel-mode drivers or system software, with a comprehensive understanding of Windows kernel internals and API usage.

  • High-Throughput Event Pipelines:Experience designing and implementing high-throughput event processing systems.

  • Python Scripting & Testing:Proficiency with Python and its ecosystem, including experience with testing frameworks such as Pytest.

#LI-CW1

#LI-OC1

#HTF

Benefits of Working at CrowdStrike:

  • Market leader in compensation and equity awards

  • Comprehensive physical and mental wellness programs

  • Competitive vacation and holidays for recharge

  • Paid parental and adoption leaves

  • Professional development opportunities for all employees regardless of level or role

  • Employee Networks, geographic neighborhood groups, and volunteer opportunities to build connections

  • Vibrant office culture with world class amenities

  • Great Place to Work Certified across the globe


CrowdStrike is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where everyone is valued for who they are and empowered to succeed. We support veterans and individuals with disabilities through our affirmative action program.

CrowdStrike is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by law. We base all employment decisions--including recruitment, selection, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, promotions, transfers, lay-offs, return from lay-off, terminations and social/recreational programs--on valid job requirements.

If you need assistance accessing or reviewing the information on this website or need help submitting an application for employment or requesting an accommodation, please contact us at recruiting@crowdstrike.com for further assistance.

Find out more about your rights as an applicant.

CrowdStrike participates in the E-Verify program.

Notice of E-Verify Participation

Right to Work

CrowdStrike, Inc. is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Placement within the pay range is dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications, job level, supervisory status, and location. The base salary range for this position for all U.S. candidates is $160,000 - $250,000 per year, with eligibility for bonuses, equity grants and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, 401k and paid time off.

For detailed information about the U.S. benefits package, please click here.


CrowdStrike logo

About CrowdStrike

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

#WeAreCrowdStrike and our mission is to stop breaches. As a global leader in cybersecurity, our team changed the game. Since our inception, our market leading cloud-native platform has offered unparalleled protection against the most sophisticated cyberattacks. We're looking for people with limitless passion, a relentless focus on innovation and a fanatical commitment to the customer to join us in shaping the future of cybersecurity. Consistently recognized as a top workplace, CrowdStrike is committed to cultivating an inclusive, remote-first culture that offers people the autonomy and flexibility to balance the needs of work and life while taking their career to the next level. Interested in working for a company that sets the standard and leads with integrity? Join us on a mission that matters - one team, one fight.

Industry

It services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sunnyvale, CA, US

Year founded

2012