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Sensor Operator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Senior Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$119K - $164K/yr

... sensor integration, and mission systems efforts for Department of War programs operating in complex, contested, and asymmetric warfare environments. The selected candidate will provide technical ...

Senior Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$119K - $164K/yr

We have an immediate opening for a Senior Engineer to support advanced Command and Control (C2), sensor integration, and mission systems efforts for Department of War programs operating in complex ...

Senior Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$119K - $164K/yr

We have an immediate opening for a Senior Engineer to support advanced Command and Control (C2), sensor integration, and mission systems efforts for Department of War programs operating in complex ...

Senior Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$119K - $164K/yr

... sensor integration, and mission systems efforts for Department of War programs operating in complex, contested, and asymmetric warfare environments. The selected candidate will provide technical ...

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Sensor Operator information

See Washington salary details

$5

$18

How much do sensor operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for sensor operator in Washington is $17.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $17.55 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 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 popular job titles related to Sensor Operator jobs in Washington? For Sensor Operator jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Sensor Operator jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Sensor Operator jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Sensor Operator jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Sensor Operator job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Sensor Operator jobs in WA? For Sensor Operator jobs in WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Sensor Operator job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,379 per year, or $17 per hour.
Software Engineer, Robotics Tracking and Fusion

Software Engineer, Robotics Tracking and Fusion

Anduril Industries

Washington, DC • On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
ABOUT THE TEAM
At Anduril, our Software Engineers specialize in solving complex, real-world problems through cutting-edge algorithms and intelligent software integrations. Operating in small, innovative teams, we push the boundaries of what's possible to deliver advanced technologies with mission-critical applications. Our commitment doesn't end with academic research or proof-of-concept experiments; we measure our success by the real-world impact of our deployed solutions. Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's vision - "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" - we aim to achieve groundbreaking results in target tracking, state estimation, and situational awareness. We are currently seeking highly talented technologists to join our mission and redefine the future of defense technology.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
  • Define and influence the direction of a small team, leveraging your subject-matter expertise in target tracking and state estimation.
  • Prototype and deploy state-of-the-art algorithms for tracking, multi-sensor data fusion, and state estimation in agile, iterative development environments.
  • Develop high-performance software for real-time systems, ranging from tactical implementations to simulation environments and decision support tools.
  • Design and implement robust filters, estimators, and probabilistic reasoning systems that enable actionable insights from noisy, ambiguous, or incomplete sensor data.
  • Analyze system performance using high-fidelity simulations, innovative modeling tools, and rigorous statistical techniques to validate the benefits of our technology.
  • Drive customer success by customizing algorithms and software for mission-critical use cases, including real-time tracking and sensor fusion.
  • Integrate tracking and estimation technologies into the broader software development lifecycle, from requirements definition through testing and optimization.
  • Translate technical progress into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders, including colleagues and end-users.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Proficiency in algorithm design, software development, and statistical modeling with programming expertise in C/C++, Python, and Matlab.
  • Strong knowledge of target tracking techniques, such as Kalman filters, particle filters, and multi-target tracking algorithms (e.g., JPDA, MHT, or PHD filters).
  • Experience in state estimation, including Bayesian filtering, sensor fusion, and recursive estimation techniques.
  • Solid understanding of applied mathematics, including linear algebra, optimization, probability, and stochastic processes.
  • Knowledge of signal processing techniques for interpreting diverse sensor data (e.g., radar, lidar, EO/IR).
  • Familiarity with big data pipelines, NoSQL databases, and the efficient handling of large-scale sensor data.
  • Background in machine learning as applied to target tracking and recognition, including clustering, classification, and anomaly detection techniques.
  • Ability to engineer robust systems for estimation theory, adaptive filtering, controls, and complex signal environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to work across development lifecycles, from prototyping to optimizing production systems.
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

We request transcripts as part of the early application process to understand your academic background and how your coursework supports the skills deemed critical for the role. Transcripts help us assess your technical and analytical abilities, complementing our interview process in which we also evaluate practical experience and cultural fit. If you choose not to share your transcripts, you will need to provide detailed information regarding your academic performance in relevant courses, including projects and coursework specifics, to ensure we evaluate your academic accomplishments properly. If you do provide academic transcripts, feel free to redact non-technical information (e.g., student ID, dates, non-technical coursework, etc.). Unofficial transcripts obtained online acceptable for this assessment.
US Salary Range
$191,000-$253,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
  • No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
  • Please always verify communications:
    • Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
    • Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com.
  • Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
  • What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.

Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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