POSITION DESCRIPTION – MISSION SENSOR OPERATOR (MSO)

Job Title: Mission Sensor Operator (MSO)

Reports to: Program Manager or Lead Mission Sensor Operator

Classification: Exempt

Time Commitment: Full-time Rotational Assignment (90 Days Rotations)

Locations: Australia/ Pacific Islands

Position Summary

AIRTEC, Inc. is seeking a Mission Sensor Operator (MSO) to support airborne maritime patrol, surveillance, reconnaissance, and interdiction support missions conducted from Australia and the Pacific Islands. The position follows an approximately 90-days-deployed, 90-days-off rotational schedule. During the non-deployed period, employees are not required to work onsite but must participate in at least one weekly sync call with deployed personnel as part of their built-in hours. AIRTEC provides authorized round-trip airfare and per diem for up to three days of travel between the deployed site and the employee’s home of record. Employees must return to the deployed site for their next rotation.

During each deployment, the MSO must be willing and able to accompany the aircraft from its Main Operating Base (MOB) to forward operating locations and other deployed sites as mission requirements change.

The MSO operates and integrates maritime patrol radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, mission management and situational awareness systems, and airborne communications equipment. Representative systems include radar comparable to the RDR-1700B; EO/IR equipment comparable to the WESCAM MX-12, WESCAM MX-15, and FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HD; NEXUS or equivalent mission management software; maritime-band VHF line-of-sight (LOS) radios; and tactical satellite communications (SATCOM) radios such as the AN/PRC-117G.

The MSO must be able to detect, find, fix, identify, track, and continuously monitor maritime contacts of interest. The position requires sound sensor judgment, effective integration of radar and EO/IR information, disciplined reporting, and the ability to use mission radios to guide authorized surface and airborne interdiction assets toward designated contacts.

Success depends on close coordination within the aircrew. The MSO must communicate clearly over the aircraft intercommunication system (ICS) with the Pilot in Command (PIC), Second in Command (SIC), other MSOs, and Partner Nation Riders, while managing radio communications with external vessels, aircraft, and operations centers. The MSO supports mission execution under established procedures and recognizes the PIC's ultimate authority over aircraft operations.

Essential Functions

The Team Sensor Operator/Technician ensures the appropriate sensor is operated per mission requirements. The Team Sensor Operator must be able to operate independently on missions worldwide and must contribute as a team member to maintain the sensors to meet high aircraft availability rates 365 days per year. This position is responsible for creating and/or maintaining operator checklists and pass-on logs; troubleshooting, operating, and servicing radars and associated avionics related to onboard mission equipment; and ensuring the equipment meets mandated requirements and specifications. Responsibilities will include interfacing with customer and maintenance representatives regarding system testing and operations. Additionally, new and experimental detection, tracking, and location equipment/systems may be deployed and will require the Team Sensor Operator/Technician to learn to operate, assist others in learning to operate, assist with troubleshooting, and ensure the equipment is employed as required.

Maritime Patrol Radar Operations:

Operate maritime patrol radar comparable to the RDR-1700B to detect, locate, classify, and track surface contacts in open-ocean, coastal, and littoral environments.
Plan and execute radar searches; acquire small vessels and other contacts of interest; and establish reliable target positions, course, speed, and movement history.
Maintain multiple contact tracks, monitor changes in vessel behavior, and sustain surveillance of designated contacts throughout the mission.
Adjust radar modes, range, gain, scan areas, and clutter controls to suit mission requirements, weather, sea state, and the radar's capabilities.
Reacquire lost contacts using last-known position, estimated movement, available search information, and other onboard sensors.
Correlate radar returns with Automatic Identification System (AIS) information, navigation data, and EO/IR imagery; distinguish confirmed identification from unverified or conflicting information.
Use radar tracks to cue EO/IR sensors and provide accurate, timely contact information to the aircrew and authorized mission partners.

EO/IR and Multi-Sensor Employment:

Operate EO/IR systems comparable to the WESCAM MX-12, MX-15, or FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HD for maritime search, target acquisition, identification, and persistent surveillance.
Transition efficiently from radar detection to EO/IR acquisition, maintaining contact continuity and documenting vessel characteristics and observed activity.
Select appropriate imaging modes and sensor settings to account for lighting, visibility, weather, and operational conditions.
Integrate radar, EO/IR, AIS, and navigation information to maintain an accurate common operational picture and support contact assessment.
Capture and manage imagery and associated mission data in accordance with approved procedures and reporting requirements.

Tactical Communications and Interdiction Support:

Operate assigned maritime VHF LOS radios, SATCOM equipment such as the AN/PRC-117G, and other mission communications systems.
Establish and maintain communications with participating surface vessels, airborne assets, Partner Nation personnel, and designated operations centers.
Use mission radios to guide and coordinate authorized surface and airborne interdiction assets toward designated maritime contacts of interest, consistent with mission direction and assigned authority.
Transmit clear, accurate, and timely target positions, course, speed, identification status, and updates on movement or loss of contact.
Maintain communications during tracking and interdiction support, coordinate handoffs when required, and promptly advise participating assets of material changes.
Apply radio discipline, standardized contact-reporting procedures, communications security requirements, and established multinational coordination protocols.

Aircrew Coordination and Crew Resource Management:

Work effectively as a member of a multi-crew aircraft alongside the PIC, SIC, fellow MSOs, and Partner Nation Riders.
Communicate concise and relevant information over the aircraft ICS, and use mission radios professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
Coordinate sensor employment, mission priorities, aircraft positioning requests, and contact updates with the PIC and SIC while preserving the PIC's authority over flight operations.
Maintain shared situational awareness, anticipate information needs, and apply effective crew resource management (CRM) during routine and high-workload phases of flight.
Manage concurrent sensor tasks and radio traffic without compromising crew coordination, reporting accuracy, or operational safety.
Work respectfully and effectively with multinational personnel and Partner Nation Riders, adapting communication and coordination to the mission and operating environment.

Mission Planning, Execution, and Reporting:

Participate in mission planning, intelligence and weather briefings, crew briefings, and the development of search and sensor employment plans.
Configure and check assigned radar, EO/IR, mission management, and communications equipment before flight; report discrepancies through established channels.
Operate NEXUS or equivalent mission management and situational awareness tools to maintain contacts, mission events, and the operational picture.
Adjust search priorities and sensor employment in response to mission direction, newly detected contacts, and changing operating conditions.
Maintain accurate mission logs, track histories, imagery records, contact reports, and other required documentation.
Conduct thorough post-mission debriefings and deliver timely, accurate reports and mission products to authorized recipients.

Mission Equipment Readiness:

Perform preflight, inflight, and postflight operational checks of assigned mission equipment and associated communications systems.
Conduct authorized operator-level troubleshooting, basic fault isolation, and routine servicing within training, procedures, and assigned responsibilities.
Document equipment discrepancies clearly and coordinate corrective action with avionics and maintenance personnel.
Support mission system testing, configuration checks, and equipment acceptance activities when assigned.
Help sustain mission readiness through proper equipment handling, accurate records, and timely reporting of faults or performance limitations.

Deployment Flexibility and Operational Mobility:

Deploy for 90 days at a time and remain available to support operational requirements throughout the assigned deployment.
Accompany aircraft movements from the MOB to Forward Operating Locations (FOLs), alternate airfields, and other deployed sites throughout Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Accept short-notice repositioning, changes in flight schedules, and temporary or extended duty away from the MOB as mission needs require.
Support establishment and continuity of mission operations at forward locations, including mission equipment setup, checks, and operational readiness.
Operate effectively from established facilities and remote or austere sites while maintaining safety, professionalism, and crew effectiveness.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Skills Required

Demonstrated competence in airborne maritime radar operations, including detecting, finding, fixing, classifying, tracking, monitoring, and reacquiring maritime contacts.
Proficiency with stabilized EO/IR systems and the integration of radar and EO/IR data for maritime surveillance and contact identification.
Ability to interpret and correlate available AIS, navigation, and mission management information without overstating contact identification.
Experience with airborne mission management, common operational picture, or C2 applications such as NEXUS or equivalent.
Proficiency using aircraft ICS, maritime VHF LOS, SATCOM, and other mission radios to communicate with the crew and external mission partners.
Ability to coordinate authorized surface and airborne interdiction assets by radio and provide accurate, continuously updated contact information.
Strong CRM skills and the ability to work closely with the PIC, SIC, fellow MSOs, Partner Nation Riders, and multinational stakeholders.
Sound judgment under pressure, effective multitasking, radio discipline, and clear verbal and written communication.
Ability to complete mission planning, equipment checks, operational logs, and post-mission reports accurately and on time.
Willingness and ability to support aircraft movements and temporary operations away from the MOB during a 90-day deployment.

Skills Preferred

Direct operational experience with RDR-1700B or a comparable maritime surveillance radar.
Direct operational experience with WESCAM MX-12, MX-15, FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HD, or comparable stabilized EO/IR equipment.
Familiarity with NEXUS or equivalent airborne mission management, situational awareness, and C2 tools.
Experience operating AN/PRC-117G or similar SATCOM equipment and maritime-band VHF radios.
Previous maritime patrol, maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, or interdiction support experience.
Experience coordinating with surface vessels, other aircraft, government agencies, and Partner Nation personnel.
Familiarity with AIS, vessel identification, maritime reporting, imagery collection, and multi-sensor contact correlation.
Prior operations in Australia, the Pacific Islands, or elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, including remote or forward operating locations.

Minimum Qualifications

U.S. citizenship.
At least five years of airborne sensor operations experience, preferably in maritime patrol or a comparable multi-sensor mission environment.
Demonstrated experience performing as a member of a multi-crew aircraft.
Ability to obtain and maintain the security clearance required by the contract, up to Top Secret/SCI (only, if required).
Ability to complete required medical screening, pre-deployment training, and customer-directed qualification requirements.
Ability to obtain and maintain all certifications, licenses, and permits required for assigned duties.
Ability and willingness to work a 90-day deployed / 90-day off rotation and travel to deployed sites during the duty period.

Travel

Work will be performed from operating locations in Australia and the Pacific Islands. The position requires international travel and a rotational schedule of 90 days deployed, followed by 90 days off duty, subject to contract and mission requirements. During the deployed period, the MSO must be available to accompany the aircraft from the MOB to FOLs and other sites across the region, including short-notice or extended operations away from the primary base.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform duties aboard an aircraft in confined spaces during extended missions and irregular work schedules.
Ability to work in tropical, remote, and austere operating environments and travel between deployed sites.
Ability to wear required personal protective and safety equipment.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to meet applicable medical, physical, and deployment requirements.

AIRTEC Benefits Overview (subject to plan eligibility)

Competitive Pay.
Medical Insurance with HSA Savings Account (Individual/Families).
Dental Insurance (Individual 100% Paid/Families).
Vision Insurance (Individual 100% Paid/Families).
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Company-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
Voluntary Life Insurance.
Elective Group Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Insurance.
401(k) 5% Safe Harbor and Profit-Sharing Program with Employee Participation.
Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care).
Paid Time Off (Safe/Sick Leave).
College Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development Training.
Education Recognition Bonus Program.

AIRTEC, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type 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.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Airtec

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