Airborne Foliage (TRACER) Radar Sensor Operator/Technician

Airtec Inc

California, USA

Published: 7/8/2026

Full Time

Job Title: Airborne Foliage Penetration (TRACER) Radar Sensor Operator/Technician

Reports to: Director of Flight Operations/Lead Sensor Operator

Classification: Exempt

Time Commitment: Rotational

Location: Bogota, Colombia

Position Summary

The Airborne Foliage Penetration (TRACER) Radar Sensor Operator/Technician serves as a primary flight crew member aboard the ISR aircraft, operating and monitoring the TRACER foliage-penetration synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and associated mission systems throughout each collection sortie. The Operator manages in-flight sensor configuration, data collection, and quality assurance, and supports the review, interpretation, and validation of radar-derived geospatial data to ensure that high-fidelity mission information reaches the supported stakeholders. The role also includes technical management of the onboard mission network and IT systems that enable airborne collection, processing, and data transfer.

Essential Functions

Initialize, operate, and monitor the TRACER foliage-penetration synthetic aperture radar and integrated mission equipment during flight operations.
Prepare and deliver verbal communications, such as crew briefs and post-mission debriefings, and written communications, including mission collection logs, sensor performance reports, radar imagery notes, and equipment status reports.
Interpret radar imagery, review radar-derived mission products, and identify collection quality issues, data gaps, or imagery anomalies that may affect mission reporting or post-mission exploitation.
Monitor and support onboard IT networks, mission network equipment, and related data pathways used to support airborne collection, processing, and data transfer.
Must be self-motivated and a strong technical leader capable of effectively monitoring and communicating tactical collection objectives. Shall serve as a technical expert for the onboard TRACER radar system, radar imagery interpretation, and mission network performance while fostering relationships with ground analysis teams.
Demonstrates superior writing and presentation skills to develop mission status updates, collection summaries, radar imagery interpretation notes, and technical troubleshooting logs for stakeholders and aviation programs.
Maintains and complies with security procedures in the performance of duties. May provide direction, training, and assistance to other project staff as a senior expert.
Act as a point of contact for mission equipment, aircraft maintenance personnel, and issues related to onboard network and IT systems.
Keep lists of system faults, radar performance issues, software anomalies, network and IT system faults, or mission equipment discrepancies related to the sensor payload.
Facilitate testing and cooperation among aircrew, maintenance technicians, network support personnel, and ground analysts.
Identify and resolve communication issues among these groups.
Collaborate with the necessary constituents and the flight crew.
Conduct post-mission reviews, radar imagery checks, data accountability reviews, and reporting.

Skills Required

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in aviation and ISR sensor operations.
Minimum 2–3 years of demonstrated experience interpreting radar imagery, radar-derived mission data, synthetic aperture radar products, or Foliage Penetration Radar / TRACER radar-derived imagery.
Experience managing IT networks, mission network systems, and data pathways used to support ISR collection, processing, and transfer.
Experience with Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
Knowledge of IMINT, GEOINT, synthetic aperture radar, foliage-penetration radar, and TRACER capabilities, and radar imagery interpretation.
Experience managing mission flight lines, radar collection profiles, and mission data capture.
Proficiency with flight management software, mission planning systems, network management and configuration tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Experience coordinating data capture between aircrew and mission staff.
Knowledge of Airspace Control Orders and Air Tasking Orders.
Intelligence Community background to include imagery analysis, geospatial analysis, radar collection, radar imagery interpretation, or geospatial collection management.
Experience with communication security (COMSEC) handling procedures.

Skills Preferred

Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System (APACS).
Mission planning software experience.
Understanding of real-time data ingestion and processing.
Experience supporting intelligence fusion centers.
Knowledge of regional geopolitical atmospheres.
Qualified Aircrew Member status.

Education

High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Experience supporting airborne ISR missions as a qualified crewmember.
Familiarity with regional aviation operations centers or fusion cells.
Demonstrated experience interpreting radar imagery in an operational ISR, intelligence, military, law enforcement, or deployed mission environment.
Experience managing IT networks and mission network systems in an operational, aviation, tactical, or deployed environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must possess an active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) access.
Must be able to maintain government eligibility requirements.
Meet regional entry requirements for deployment.
Must have a valid U.S. passport with no less than six months remaining.
Must be willing and able to deploy OCONUS.
Must be willing and able to work irregular hours in a military environment.
Minimum of three years of experience in geopolitical or deployment roles.
Minimum of ten years of total experience in aviation and ISR.
Minimum of seven years of experience with ISR Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
Minimum of seven years of experience with IMINT, GEOINT, radar imaging, synthetic aperture radar, and Foliage Penetration Radar capabilities.

Travel

Travel and rotational deployment throughout the United States and to locations outside the United States, including austere locations, are required.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in a variety of physical conditions, including austere conditions.
Ability to wear respirators or other required safety equipment.
Ability to work in confined spaces.
Ability to lift 50 lbs.

AIRTEC Benefits Overview-FTE

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.

PI285689508