POSITION DESCRIPTION – Mission Crew Commander
Job Title: Mission Crew Commander
Reports to: Program Manager
Classification: Exempt
Time Commitment: Rotational
Location: Bogota, SOUTHCOM
Position Summary
The Mission Crew Commander (MCC) serves as the operational leader for Falcon-I mission activities, responsible for directing airborne collection operations and coordinating mission execution among pilots, sensor operators, analysts, and ground support personnel. The MCC ensures mission objectives are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance with operational procedures while maintaining the highest standards of flight safety, data quality, and crew performance.
Essential Functions
Mission Leadership
- Direct and oversee all phases of assigned Falcon-I missions.
- Serve as the primary mission authority during flight operations.
- Coordinate activities between flight crew, sensor operators, and mission support personnel.
- Conduct mission briefings, debriefings, and operational reviews.
- Monitor mission progress and adjust collection plans as required to meet objectives.
Operational Management
- Develop and review mission plans, flight routes, and collection requirements.
- Ensure mission execution complies with FAA regulations, company policies, and customer requirements.
- Evaluate weather, airspace restrictions, and operational risks prior to launch.
- Maintain situational awareness of aircraft status, sensor performance, and mission timelines.
Sensor and Collection Oversight
- Supervise operation of LiDAR, EO/IR, imaging, and geospatial collection systems.
- Verify collection parameters and data quality throughout mission execution.
- Direct sensor tasking to maximize coverage and mission effectiveness.
- Coordinate with processing and analysis teams to ensure collection requirements are met.
Safety and Risk Management
- Promote and enforce a strong safety culture.
- Identify operational hazards and implement risk mitigation measures.
- Ensure crew compliance with standard operating procedures and emergency protocols.
- Lead response actions during abnormal or emergency situations.
Customer and Stakeholder Coordination
- Act as the primary mission representative with customers and external stakeholders.
- Communicate mission status, accomplishments, and operational concerns.
- Prepare mission reports and after-action summaries.
- Support program improvement initiatives and lessons-learned activities.
- Live and work in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility for rotational periods of approximately 60 to 90 days.
Education / Certification / Experience
- High school diploma or GED.
- Minimum five years of experience in Department of Defense aviation ISR operations, mission planning, intelligence support, or operational coordination.
- Working knowledge of mission-planning systems, mapping tools (including Google Earth), and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Strong communication skills across oral, written, and electronic formats.
- Active Top Secret security clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI access.
Preferred Education / Certification / Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or higher, or Associate’s degree with additional equivalent military experience.
- Experience supporting airborne ISR missions, deployed aviation operations, or intelligence/operations centers.
- Experience with LiDAR, Synthetic Aperture Radar, or similar airborne collection systems.
- Experience serving as a liaison officer supporting a U.S. Government customer.
- Familiarity with aviation operations centers, intelligence fusion centers, or ground exploitation cells.
Skills Required
- Knowledge of ISR tactics, sensor employment, collection management, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination workflows.
- Proficiency with mission systems, mapping tools, Airspace Control Orders, Air Tasking Orders, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to translate customer requirements into actionable mission plans and effectively brief leadership and stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and execute time-sensitive tasks.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with mission software and ISR systems such as MACHETE, TRACER, or similar platforms.
- Knowledge of Combined Air Operations Center operations and ISR support in SOUTHCOM or South America.
- Understanding of regional geopolitical environments.
- Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency, especially Excel.
- Qualified Aircrew Member status and experience with DHC-8 or similar ISR aircraft.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams in deployed aviation environments.
Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen with a current TS/SCI status.
- Must meet government eligibility, regional entry requirements, and possess a valid U.S. passport with at least six months remaining.
- Must be willing and able to deploy OCONUS, work rotational assignments in SOUTHCOM, and operate in irregular hours within a deployed environment.
- Minimum of five years of experience in ISR tactics, mission planning, or related operational roles, including experience in geopolitical or deployment environments.
- Ability to communicate professionally with customers, partners, and stakeholders.
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.
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