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Sensor Operator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

GRVTY

Software Engineer, Senior

Herndon, VA · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

You will work directly with scientists, sensor domain experts, and intelligence analysts ... Comfortable operating in both Windows and Linux environments, including secure or classified ...

GRVTY

Software Engineer, Senior

Herndon, VA · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

You will work directly with scientists, sensor domain experts, and intelligence analysts ... Comfortable operating in both Windows and Linux environments, including secure or classified ...

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All JobsSensor Operator JobsSensor Operator Jobs in Virginia

Sensor Operator information

See Virginia salary details

$5

$14

$15

How much do sensor operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for sensor operator in Virginia is $14.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.52 and $15.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.
More about Sensor Operator jobs
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What cities in Virginia are hiring for Sensor Operator jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Sensor Operator job openings:
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Sensor Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sensor Operator job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,146 per year, or $15 per hour.
Principal Scientist - AI/ML Specialization - WFH1651

Principal Scientist - AI/ML Specialization - WFH1651

Global InfoTek, Inc.

Reston, VA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Clearance Level:
US Citizenship: Required
Job Classification: Full Time
Location: Remote
Years of Experience: 10+ years of relevant experience
Education Level: Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field. Experience may be considered in place of education requirement.
Briefly Describe the Work:
GITI is seeking a Principal Scientist to serve as the senior technical authority on an R&D program focused on passive RF emitter identification and network analysis from real-time sensor data streams. The Principal Scientist leads independent, hands-on analysis of NDF (Network Description File) sensor datasets, provides technical direction across parallel research threads, and serves as the primary technical advisor to the government sponsor. The role spans the full research lifecycle: formulating hypotheses, writing and executing analytical code in Python and Jupyter notebooks, interpreting and validating results, and communicating findings to both technical peers and non-specialist stakeholders. This is a deeply technical, hands-on position - the Principal Scientist conducts analysis directly and does not delegate technical work as a substitute for personal proficiency. The candidate will work within a small, distributed team operating in air-gapped Linux environments on resource-constrained tactical edge hardware, with no cloud computing.
Responsibilities:
  • Conduct independent, hands-on data analysis on RF sensor datasets using Python and Jupyter notebooks - formulating hypotheses, writing and running analytical code, interpreting results, and producing findings that directly advance program research objectives
  • Provide technical advice and research direction across a multidisciplinary team; define analytical objectives, review and validate technical outputs from AI/ML engineers and software developers, and ensure coherence across parallel research threads
  • Serve as primary technical advisor to the government sponsor: translate operational requirements into research objectives, communicate findings clearly to non-specialist stakeholders, and maintain program alignment with sponsor priorities through written reports and technical presentations
  • Design and execute analytical investigations into RF sensor data quality, emitter behavior, and attribution reliability - including characterizing error sources, identifying systematic artifacts, and developing methods to distinguish real physical signatures from sensor or processing artifacts
  • Produce technical documentation - working notes, research findings, monthly status reports, and briefing materials - that accurately represent the scope and confidence level of analytical results

Expert-level career professional recognized as a technical authority in RF systems, signals intelligence, or a closely related applied domain. Exercises broad independent judgment in defining research approach, evaluating methods, and interpreting results. Operates with minimal supervision; accountable for the scientific integrity and practical relevance of program research outputs. Advanced degree (MS or PhD) with 10+ years of hands-on applied R&D experience.
Required Skills:
  • 10+ years of hands-on applied R&D experience in RF systems, signals intelligence, electronic warfare, or related domains.
  • Proven ability to quickly acquire domain knowledge; specifically in the areas of wireless digital communications and military techniques, tactics, and procedures
  • Demonstrated ability to independently develop and execute data analyses in Python or equivalent tools on real sensor datasets; must be capable of writing production-quality analytical code, not merely directing others to do so
  • Experience addressing common problems with large quantities of real-world data, such as imputation, noise, bias, and errors
  • Track record of working effectively on constrained-hardware edge systems - no cloud, no discrete GPU - with attention to computational efficiency and multi-core, multi-thread performance on x86 platforms

Desired Skills:
  • Deep familiarity with RF signal characteristics, sensor phenomenology, and the interpretation of passive receiver data - including recognition of processing artifacts, attribution ambiguities, and the limits of sensor-derived measurements
  • Hands-on experience applying machine learning - particularly metric learning, deep learning networks, or similarity-learning architectures - to RF or time-series signal data, including feature engineering, training pipeline development, and model validation
  • Familiarity with TDMA network protocols, emitter identification techniques (CID/PID), and the signal processing challenges of dense, contested electromagnetic environments
  • Experience with interferometric direction-finding, TDOA geolocation, or related passive geolocation methods, including practical knowledge of their failure modes and accuracy limitations
  • Experience with binary serialization formats (FlatBuffers, Protocol Buffers) and high-throughput sensor data pipelines operating in near-real-time on resource-constrained hardware
  • Background in statistical signal processing - error ellipses, bearing estimation uncertainty, feature reliability under noise - with the ability to distinguish statistically significant findings from artifacts of small sample size or improper normalization

Relevant Certifications:
  • Professional certifications in data science, signal processing, or related technical fields. Advanced academic credentials (PhD, MS) in a relevant quantitative discipline are strongly preferred and may substitute for certifications.

Global InfoTek, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
About Global InfoTek, Inc. Global InfoTek Inc. has an award-winning track record of designing, developing, and deploying best-of-breed technologies that address the nation's pressing cyber and advanced technology needs. GITI has rapidly merged pioneering technologies, operational effectiveness, and best business practices for over two decades.

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